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.

Wentworth Flood Rally (70 Years On)

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Wentworth Shire Council has announced the official details for the Wentworth Flood Rally (70 Years On), a three-day celebration to commemorate seventy years since the historic 1956 Murray–Darling Flood. The event will include an attempt to break the Australian record for the largest assembly of Ferguson TEA20 (“Little Grey Fergie”) tractors.

The rally, to be held over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June 2026, will honour the extraordinary resilience of the Wentworth community, who famously used the Little Grey Fergies around the clock to build levee banks and protect the town during the biggest flood in recorded history.

The Wentworth Flood Rally is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors from most states and over 250 registered vintage vehicles dated pre-1956.

Roll in Tractor Trek, Friday 5 June 2026

Participants of the Flood rally will trek from Red Cliffs to Wentworth, marking the beginning of the weekend program.

70km Tractor Trek, Saturday 6 June 2026

A 70km trek through Wentworth and the surrounding region will celebrate the spirit of the 1956 flood response, showcasing an impressive convoy of vintage machinery travelling through areas where flood waters once marked the district.

Australian Record Attempt, Street Parade, Historic Displays and Market, Sunday 7 June 2026 A standout moment of the commemorative celebrations will take place on Sunday 7 June, when enthusiasts will unite for an Australian record attempt to gather the largest assembly of Ferguson TEA20 tractors. Owners of Little Grey Fergies and other eligible machinery are invited to register for this historic occasion.

The day will include a major street parade featuring vintage vehicles, machinery displays and living history presentations. Personal stories and interviews will reflect on the 1956 flood and the community’s resilience. The parade will conclude in Darling Street, where the record attempt will be held.

Local markets at the wharf precinct, along with shopping and dining options across the township, will offer visitors a vibrant showcase of regional produce, culture and tourism.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Daniel Linklater said, “The Wentworth Flood Rally is more than tractors – it is a living monument to the Wentworth community and Australian ingenuity. We are calling on every Little Grey Fergie and other vintage machinery owners to join us for the 70km Trek and help make history. Come and celebrate the saving of the Wentworth township during the iconic 1956 flood and bring its story back to life.”

How to Get Involved

  • Vintage Vehicle Owners
    • Registrations for the Australian Record Attempt and the 70km Trek are now open
    • Visit www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/flood-rally for further details and registration forms. Register your tractor by emailing tractor@wentworth.nsw.gov.au
  • Stallholders
    • Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are open for food vendors, local producers and specialised trade stalls. EOI submissions will close Friday 1 May 2026. Apply to events@wentworth.nsw.gov.au

General Attendees

With limited accommodation available in Wentworth, visitors are encouraged to make bookings early. Full event details, local attractions and accommodation links are available at experiencewentworth.com.au

Council invites the community to take part in the weekend’s program of festivities and discover more of Wentworth and Surrounds. Visitors will also be able to experience the region’s newest attraction, Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO).

Opening in April 2026, this immersive installation by artist Bruce Munro will feature eighty illuminated columns synchronised to an original orchestral score by British composer Nainita Desai. Together with Trail of Lights, FOSO will offer a distinctive multi-day cultural experience that enriches the wider visitor journey.

About the Wentworth Flood Rally (70 Years On)

The Wentworth Flood Rally marks seventy years since the 1956 Murray–Darling Flood, when the Wentworth community united to save their town by building levee banks with the help of Ferguson TEA20 tractors. The rally honours this legacy and showcases the enduring spirit of the region through a major regional tourism event supported by Wentworth Shire Council.

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Media Release – Investing in safer water for Wentworth Shire

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The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water released the following media release on 17 December 2024. For further information, visit nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dcceew

Investing in safer water for Wentworth Shire
Locals and holidaymakers in Wentworth, Buronga, Gol Gol, and Dareton are one step closer to locking in safer and more secure water thanks to $472,000 in co-funding from the NSW Government and Wentworth Shire Council.

The investment will enable Council to identify the best options for upgrading critical infrastructure that delivers both drinking and non-drinking water to the four towns.

It’s a significant move towards boosting water quality, reliability, and drought resilience for the region’s 4,100 people and supporting the growth of outback tourism in an area where the Darling and Murray Rivers meet.

The new funding includes:

$161,250 from the NSW Government and $53,750 from Council to deliver an options study and concept design for upgrading Wentworth’s water treatment plant and raw water pump station
$192,750 from the NSW Government and $64,250 from Council to deliver an options study and concept design for upgrading Gol Gol’s water treatment plant and the raw water pump station supplying Dareton and Namatjira
Currently, Wentworth relies on a single pump station to deliver both drinking and non-drinking water to its 1,100 residents and a growing number of visitors.

But the ageing infrastructure, which was operating at its peak during the early 1990s, is now in need of a major upgrade to meet modern water treatment standards and demands, particularly during dry conditions.

Meanwhile, in nearby Gol Gol, the water treatment plant services about 3,000 people in the town and in neighbouring Buronga, Dareton and the indigenous community of Namatjira.

But parts of the plant are in dire need of replacement or repair, and the infrastructure has reached its capacity so will be unable to meet the towns’ water needs as they grow.

The raw water pump station delivering non-drinking water also requires an urgent upgrade.

The new funding will allow Council to launch detailed investigations across four schemes to find solutions and develop early planning works, including environmental reviews, geotechnical investigations, site surveys, and concept designs.

Options will aim to enhance water treatment process reliability, efficiency, and automation, reduce operating costs, and extend the life of major equipment.

The development work is due to be completed by June 2025.

The investment is the latest from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program which supports more than $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with over 260 projects in various stages of delivery.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“This is about safeguarding water for Wentworth, Buronga, Gol Gol, Dareton and Namatjira, and it’s vital we get the ball rolling on long-overdue infrastructure upgrades.

“This investment will help Council examine all the challenges for these five communities and find the best remedies to ensure water infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.

“We want to support the region into the future and as more and as more visitors come spend their holidays in Wentworth Shire. I’m delighted to see this work get going.”

Wentworth Shire Mayor Daniel Linklater said:

“We are pleased to partner with the NSW Government to secure the future water supplies.

“The upgrade of pump stations and water treatment plants is essential to ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable water to our residents and visitors.

“This much-needed infrastructure upgrade addresses our aging assets and represents a significant achievement in collaboration with the NSW Government, securing a sustainable future for our community.

“This funding is crucial for initiating preliminary assessments, which will enable us to develop and implement effective long-term solutions.”

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