Nominate Today – 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards

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Wentworth Shire Council is proud to support the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering – one of the largest annual celebrations of volunteering in Australia.

These Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams across New South Wales.

There are 7 categories for the Awards. These include:

Young Volunteer of the Year24 years and under
Adult Volunteer of the Year25 to 64 years
Senior Volunteer of the Year65 years and over
Volunteer Team of the YearTwo individuals or over
Emergency Volunteer of the YearAn individual or teams volunteering in emergency prevention, preparation, response, or recovery efforts.
Volunteer Leader of the YearA designated volunteer manager, a team of volunteer managers or a registered not-for-profit organisation
Not-for-Profit Voluntary Governance AwardAn unpaid board of directors or individual board member, who exemplifies excellence in governance

The nomination form allows for two types of recognition for the volunteers of NSW. 

Nomination for Recognition  

This is the simplest way to acknowledge volunteers.  These nominations will not be judged; however, the nominee will be invited to their local regional ceremony (if their personal email address is provided, not the organisation’s or nominator’s email address).  The nominee will be presented with a certificate to acknowledge their contribution to the community.  This nomination requires you to complete four parts of the nomination form only. 

Nomination for Judging 

These nominees will be judged for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards in their appropriate category.  This nomination requires nominators to complete six parts (parts 1 to 6), all of which must be completed to be accepted by the judging committee. To be included in Judging, the nominee’s personal email address MUST be provided (ie. not the organisation’s or nominator’s email address). If this is not provided, the nomination will be moved into the Recognition section of the Awards.

📅 Nominations close Friday 29 May 2026.

🔗 Nominate now:
https://volunteering.formstack.com/forms/vnswa26_nom_form

For full award details, nomination tips, and eligibility guidelines, visit:
🌐 https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/

📧 If your organisation is submitting more than 20 nominations, contact the Awards Team for a Bulk Nomination spreadsheet: award@volunteering.com.au

Registrations Open for Junction Junk 2026

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Registrations Open for Junction Junk 2026

Event Details:

  • Date: Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026
  • Time: From 8:00am

Wentworth Shire Council invites residents and visitors to participate in the upcoming Junction Junk sale. Whether you are looking to declutter your property or find unique local items, this community event offers a fantastic opportunity to get involved this Easter weekend.

Information for Sellers

It is time to clean out your cupboards and sheds. Residents wishing to host a garage sale are encouraged to register their site to be included on the official event map.

To register a Junction Junk site, or for further information, please contact the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5027 5080 by 5pm, Friday 27 March 2026.

To ensure a successful day, Council recommends stallholders consider the following tips:

  • Price items appropriately and make signage clear.
  • Clean and organise all items for sale.
  • Ask your neighbours to register a site to create a larger neighbourhood draw.
  • Ensure your sale is easy to navigate and use tables where possible.
  • Open on time and ensure you have sufficient change for buyers.
  • Be prepared for bad weather.

Information for Buyers

Those looking to explore the sales can collect an official site map on the day. Maps will be available from 8:00am at Ruby’s Cargo Arts & Crafts, located at the corner of Sandwych and Adams Street, Wentworth.

Thank you to our event supporters for their ongoing contribution to the Wentworth community:

  • Ruby’s Cargo
  • Community Bank Wentworth & District (Bendigo Bank)

Important Changes to Overseas Licence Conversions

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Transport for NSW and Austroads have introduced new arrangements for transitioning overseas driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences.

What has changed?

As of 1 February 2026, the arrangements for converting licences from certain countries have changed.

  • List A (Recognised Countries): If you hold a valid car or rider licence from a “Recognised Country” (such as the UK, USA, New Zealand, or Canada), you generally do not need to pass a knowledge or driving test to convert your licence, provided your licence is current or expired within the last 5 years.
  • List B (Formerly Experienced Driver Recognition): Drivers from jurisdictions on “List B” must now pass the Rider/Driver Knowledge Test and the Rider/Driving Test to obtain a NSW driver licence. The previous exemptions for experienced drivers from these countries have ceased.

Timelines for moving to NSW

  • Permanent Residents: You must get a NSW driver licence within 3 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
  • Temporary Visitors: You must get a temporary NSW driver licence within 6 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.

Check your eligibility

Because the list of recognised countries and testing requirements has changed, we urge all overseas licence holders to check their specific status on the Service NSW website.

[Button/Link: Check Licence Eligibility at Service NSW]

Be Prepared: Rural Aid encourages farmers to register for support

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Wentworth Shire Council is encouraging local primary producers to register with Rural Aid to ensure they are prepared for future challenges.

Rural Aid provides critical support to rural communities during times of storm, bushfire, flood, and drought. While many in the region may already be connected with the organisation, Rural Aid is urging those who are not yet registered to do so now.

Registering ahead of time ensures faster access to support for farmers and their families when disaster strikes. It also strengthens the collective voice of the farming community, allowing Rural Aid to advocate for greater assistance.

Services available to registered farmers include direct assistance, recovery programs, and mental health and wellbeing support.

To register, visit https://faa.ruralaid.org.au/ or call 1300 327 624 for more information.

Recruitment Now Open for 2026 Census Roles

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Wentworth Shire Council advises that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has commenced recruitment for the 2026 Census, which will take place on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

The ABS is hiring over 30,000 people for temporary positions. These roles range in duration from a few weeks to six months or longer, offering flexible hours to fit your schedule.

Current Vacancies (Open Now):

  • Field Manager: Leads Census work in the local area, recruiting and training Field Officers.
  • Mobile Field Representative: Travels within the state or interstate to support field teams, distribute forms, and promote online participation.
  • Local Engagement Officer: Manages a small team and coordinates information hubs to support diverse population groups.
  • Census Engagement Manager: Works with community groups to develop positive relationships and maximise participation.

Upcoming Opportunities:

  • Remote Area Management Team Leader & Member: Opens 23 February 2026. These roles focus on managing Census collection in remote regions, including mining camps and farming properties.
  • Field Officer: Opens 20 April 2026. Field Officers deliver and collect forms and follow up with households.
  • Community Field Officer: Opens 11 May 2026. These officers engage with the local community to support people who may face barriers to completing the Census.

Key Information for Applicants:

  • Experience: More than half of the jobs available do not require any prior experience.
  • Checks: A national police check may be required. A criminal history does not necessarily exclude you from employment.
  • Support: A Recruitment Support Line is available at 1300 100 557.

How to Apply: To view full position descriptions and submit an application, please visit the Census careers page: https://info.census.abs.gov.au/careers

12 February – Is this your dog?

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Read more

Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children

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Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children.

You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights, unless a lower speed limit applies.

You can help keep children safe by:
🏫 Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones
🚌 Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, unless a lower speed limit applies
🚸 Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
⤴️ Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

For more information visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/be-bus-aware

Major milestones reached for Wentworth’s Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra

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Major milestones reached for Wentworth’s Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra

FOSO Sensorio © 2025 Bruce Munro. Photography by Serena Munro

Construction on the region’s newest major cultural attraction, the Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO), has entered its final stages, with significant civil works now nearing completion.

A joint initiative between Wentworth Shire Council and Mildura Rural City Council, the project is on track to open to the public on Friday 3 April 2026, coinciding with the Easter long weekend.

Located adjacent to the Perry Sandhills and Thegoa Lagoon, the FOSO site has undergone a major transformation in recent months. Led by head contractor Jointly, civil construction works including essential road access, car park development, and drainage installation are now largely complete.

Structural works have also progressed significantly. Retaining walls have been constructed to form an elevated viewing platform—designed to provide visitors with a panoramic vantage point of the immersive light and sound display—and foundations for the artwork have been finalised. Over the coming weeks, construction activity will focus on the completion of the viewing platform, visitor amenities, and the installation of demountable buildings.

The project will soon welcome the creative team behind the installation with members of Bruce Munro’s Studio team scheduled to commence the artwork installation from 9 February 2026. This intricate process will continue over a six-week period, involving the installation of 80 columns of light and the complex fibre optic systems that will synchronise with the original orchestral score composed by Nainita Desai.

Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Linklater, said it was thrilling to witness the project taking shape.

“It is exciting to see the progress on site; the sheer scale of the installation now becoming visible is truly impressive,” Cr Linklater said.

“FOSO is going to be a great place for locals and visitors to explore for years to come. Personally, I am truly excited to immerse myself amongst the lights and music once it opens. Beyond the experience itself, our local businesses and visitor economy are sure to thrive with an installation of this scale attracting new visitation. I would like to congratulate the project teams for their hard work in bringing this vision together.”

Mildura Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Ali Cupper, highlighted the collaborative effort driving the project. “As we move into this final construction phase, we are getting closer to unveiling an experience that will not only captivate locals but draw visitors from across Australia to our region,” Cr Cupper said.

FOSO is a complementary installation to the Trail of Lights in Mildura. Tickets for both experiences are now on sale and can be purchased via mildura.com/lights/tickets.

The Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

Follow project on engageWentworth & Surrounds

Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026

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Early bird tickets are now on-sale for the Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026 🎟️

A cross-border first, this forum is being delivered in partnership with Murray Regional Tourism and Destination Riverina Murray, with support from Destination NSW, bringing together tourism industry stakeholders from across the Riverina Murray region.

📅 23 April 2026
📍 Tocumwal NSW
🎟️ Early bird tickets: $99

Designed for those working directly in tourism and destination development, the forum focuses on practical outcomes and real-world takeaways that can be applied immediately.

The full-day program includes:
• Industry keynotes and presentations
• Workshops and breakout sessions
• Panels, local case studies and facilitated discussions

Key topics include:
• Tourism planning pathways and approvals
• PR, storytelling and marketing opportunities
• Product development and experience design
• Riverina Murray visitor economy data and insights
• Future growth opportunities, including cultural tourism, wellness travel and agritourism

For more information visit: https://www.eventzilla.net/e/regional-tourism-forum-2026-2138678284

Promotional Flyer_Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026Download

Wentworth Shire Council welcomes new Australian citizens and announces 2026 Australia Day Award recipients

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Wentworth Shire Council welcomes new Australian citizens and announces 2026 Australia Day Award recipients

Wentworth Shire Council welcomed four new Australian citizens and recognised the achievements of outstanding community members at its Australia Day 2026 Ceremony, held on Sunday 25 January 2026 at the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre Conference Room.

Mayor of Wentworth Shire, Councillor Daniel Linklater, officiated the citizenship ceremony, formally welcoming Garth Bowen, Julie Kern, Frederick Bowen and William Lloyd as Australia’s newest citizens.

The ceremony formed part of Australia Day celebrations held across the nation. As at 31 December 2025, more than 25,450 people from over 160 countries had been invited to attend citizenship ceremonies hosted by local government councils and other organisations as part of Australia Day 2026.

Mayor Linklater said it was a privilege to welcome new citizens to the Wentworth Shire community.

“On behalf of the Wentworth Shire community, I warmly welcome our newest citizens who have chosen to make Australia their home. It is an honour to share such an important milestone with them and their families,” Mayor Linklater said.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to the community through volunteering, sport, cultural initiatives and community leadership.

Nominees for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Award were Bill Wheeldon, Louise Theodore, Gaye Lamb, Col Kerin and Marg Whyte.

The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Gaye Lamb in recognition of her extensive and long-standing contribution to the Wentworth local government area. Over four decades, Ms Lamb has dedicated her time and expertise to a wide range of community organisations and causes, including public health, environmental initiatives, history and heritage, women’s advocacy and journalism. Her service has supported organisations such as the New South Western Standard, the Country Women’s Association and the Wentworth Show, reflecting a sustained commitment to the community marked by dedication, resilience and selflessness.

The Young Sportsperson of the Year Award was presented to Charley Stonham. Charley, who has recently completed her primary education at Pooncarie Public School, was recognised for her determination, resilience and commitment to sport. Despite living with a disability, she has participated in local, district and state sporting carnivals and consistently demonstrates sportsmanship, fairness and encouragement of her teammates.

The Organisation of the Year Award was presented to Pooncarie v Anabranch Raising Awareness for Mental Health. Established 12 years ago, the group has grown from a single cricket match raising awareness for men’s health into a broader community initiative promoting mental health awareness across the shire. Through inclusive events, the group has fostered conversation, connection and support, particularly during periods of floods, drought, cost of living pressures and remoteness. The group continues to raise thousands of dollars annually in support of mental health, breast cancer and men’s health initiatives.

Mayor Linklater congratulated all award recipients and nominees.

“The dedication and generosity shown by our award recipients and nominees reflect the very best of our community spirit. Council is proud to acknowledge their contributions and the positive impact they have made across our shire,” he said.

Mayor Linklater also thanked those who submitted nominations and acknowledged the attendance of Australia Day Ambassador Ms Ange Clarke.

“I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to nominate these deserving individuals and organisations, and to our Australia Day Ambassador, Ms Ange Clarke, for joining us on this important occasion. It was an honour to welcome her to Wentworth Shire,” he said.