Cobar’s Australia Day Ambassador, TV and radio commentator, Peter Wilkins and Mayor Jarrod Marsden presented Colby Lawrence with the Citizen of the Year Award at Monday’s Australia Day celebrations at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Cobar’s Australia Day Ambassador, TV and radio commentator, Peter Wilkins and Mayor Jarrod Marsden presented Katie Nicholson with the Young Citizen of the Year Award at Monday’s Australia Day celebrations at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
pictured with Cobar’s Australia Day ambassador, Peter Wilkins and mayor Jarrod Marsden.
Cobar’s Australia Day Ambassador, TV and radio commentator, Peter Wilkins and Mayor Jarrod Marsden presented Sharon Harland with the Bossie Mitchell Services to the Community award at Monday’s Australia Day celebrations at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Cobar’s 2026 Australia Day Award winners were announced on Monday at Cobar Shire Council’s Australia Day celebrations at the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Colby Lawrence was named the 2026 Citizen of the Year for his significant achievements on a voluntary basis, particularly over the past 12 months.
Colby has dedicated years of service to the Cobar community and, over the past year, has volunteered his time as a commentator and volunteer to Cobar Rugby League, Cobar Show, Inter Mine Golf Challenge, the Grey Mardi Gras, Festival of the Miner’s Ghost, and Cobar Netball, as well as helping out at seniors’ events, community events and fundraisers.
Colby also serves on the Cobar Health Council, and the Cobar Tourism and Iron Ringer committees.
Katie Nicholson earned the Young Citizen of the Year award after she volunteered many hours to the Nymagee community in her roles as president of the Nymagee Gymkhana Committee, a member of the Nymagee Progress Association and coordinator of the Nymagee Spring Ball.
Her efforts helped to provide plenty of fun for Nymagee locals and visitors further afield.
There were 15 nominations this year for the Bossie Mitchell Services to the Community award which recognises the efforts of people who have made a significant contribution to the shire on a voluntary basis.
Sharon Harland was chosen as the winner.
Sharon has dedicated many years of service to the local community and served on numerous committees.
She currently holds the role of president of both the Cobar Business Association and Cobar Hospital Auxiliary committees, she is always the first to put up her hand and help out on various local committees, fundraisers and events, advocating and supporting the community and its growth where she can.
Cobar Bowling & Golf Club’s 2025 Australian Senior Sandgreens Championships was named the Event of the Year.
The judges believed the Australian Seniors Sandgreen Championships hosted by the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club in April, had a great impact that gave Cobar nation-wide attention.
The event brought golf professionals and their families from all over Australia and was instrumental in Cobar also hosting the Australian PGA Legends Tour.
The professional organization and running of the event, along with Cobar’s reputation for great hospitality, are still being highly spoken of in golfing circles today.
Other nominees in this category were: The Running on Empty Festival, Carols in the Park, Grey Mardi Gras, Festival of the Miner’s Ghost, Cobar Rodeo and the Nymagee Gymkhana & Bikekhana.
