Australia Day Awards 2025
Published on 26 January 2025
Upper Hunter Shire Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Australia Day Awards, celebrating outstanding community contributions and achievements.
Upper Hunter Shire
Citizen of the year
Jane Hegarty
In recent years Jane has volunteered an enormous amount of her time for the betterment of the Cassilis district. She is the President of the Cassilis District Development Group and the driving force behind many of the committee's current projects. These include the Giro de Cassilis bike ride which is becoming a growing tourism event for the town, and the Cassilis Ball fundraiser that injects over $20,000 in donations back into the Cassilis community.
Jane is involved with the Country Education Foundation and offers guidance and encouragement to many other groups & individuals in the community, including Cassilis Public School P & C and a group of young mothers trying to set up a childcare facility in Cassilis.
Jane is an inspiration for people living in small communities like Cassilis. It is thanks to Jane that we now have a small community that is working together to make Cassilis a great place to live, work & play.
We appreciate all that you do for the community Jane, congratulations.
Young Citizen of the Year (Under 25)
Hannah Gillett
Hannah is an outstanding young woman who has influenced many aspects of our school and wider community. Her musical passion has meant that she was able to play an active role in revitalising music at Scone High School as a founding member of the school choir as well as being the only senior student in the formation of the combined Scone Public and Scone High School Band. Hannah enjoys mentoring the primary school students which is also evident in her time spent volunteering with the Scone Public School junior cattle paraders. A passionate Agricultural student and recipient of the CWA Excellence in Agriculture Award, Hannah has an active history in being hands on including participating in Beef Bonanzas and Steer Leading.
This passion is also evident in Hannah's entrepreneurial pursuit in raising and selling cattle. Her leadership has been recognised through being identified and selected as a representative of the Upper Hunter at the National Youth Leadership Summit in Adelaide. This provided a foundation of understanding that she was able to apply in her role co-developing and presenting the Upper Hunter Youth Leadership Summit held in Aberdeen. Hannah's leadership has been on display at events such as ANZAC Day, raising awareness for Breast Cancer and promoting Where There's a Will. Hannah will continue to influence students and our community as part of the Scone High School Leadership Team. Her academic efforts are also inspirational placing in the Top 3 of all subjects including securing first place in Agriculture, Music, English Advanced and English Extension. This dedication, drive and determination across all areas clearly positions Hannah as an outstanding Young Citizen.
Hannah's leadership has been on display at events such as ANZAC Day, raising awareness for Breast Cancer, promoting Where There's a Will and representing the Upper Hunter at the National Youth Leadership Summit in Adelaide. Hannah is a recipient of the CWA Excellence in Agriculture Award and mentors the Scone Public School junior cattle paraders, as well as participating in Beef Bonanzas and Steer Leading herself.
Aberdeen
Citizen of the Year
Joy Dallah
Young Citizen of the Year
Ciennah Sullivan
Local Champion of the Year
Casey Milton
Outstanding Contribution to the Community
Kate Jones
Merriwa
Citizen of the Year
Jane Hegarty
Young Citizen of the Year
Archie Constable
Local Champion of the Year
Cassilis Public School P&C
Sustainability in Business
Merriwa Newsxpress
Sporting Achievement Award
Rihanna Hunt
Murrurundi
Citizen of the Year
Judith Wilson
Local Champion of the Year
Montana Rando
Scone
Hunter McLoughlin Citizen of the Year
Susan Scott
Young Citizen of the Year
Hannah Gillett
Local Champion of the Year
Gundy Community and Beyond
Outstanding Contribution to the Community
Helen & Leo Gardner
School Achievement Awards
Alexandra Brooks, Scone Grammar School
Kaylee Perks, Merriwa Central School
Finley Whitla, Scone High School
Mackenzie Williams, St Joseph’s Catholic College
Creative Arts Excellence Awards
Isabel Jack, Scone Grammar School
Mia Jacobs, Merriwa Central School
Quinn Thackeray, Scone High School
Mia Kelaher, St Joseph’s Catholic College