Five decades of service honoured as Maurie Lonergan named Citizen of the Year

HUNDREDS of community members gathered at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 2026 Nambucca Valley Community Awards, an event that recognised the extraordinary contribution of volunteers, sporting leaders, community advocates and quiet achievers from across the Valley.

Football coach and long-time volunteer Maurie Lonergan was named Nambucca Valley Citizen of the Year, in recognition of more than five decades of service to the Bowraville Junior Rugby League Club and the wider community.

Mr Lonergan has devoted 53 years to the club, serving in almost every role imaginable, including a remarkable nine-year term as president during the late 1990s and early 2000s, the longest in the club’s history.

Today, he remains an active committee member and coaching director, mentoring players, parents and volunteers.

Under his guidance, the club now fields 21 teams and supports more than 330 children, providing opportunities, structure and encouragement for generations of young people.

When accepting the award, the ever-humble Mr Lonergan stressed that he has always had a wonderful team around him and has enjoyed every minute of his involvement in sport in the community he loves.

Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee said the awards were a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through community spirit and volunteering.

Speaking to News Of The Area, Mayor Lee said, “It was particularly special to welcome new Australian citizens to the ceremony and celebrate the milestone alongside the recognition of long-standing community contributors.”

He thanked the council’s team and the Community Awards Advisory Committee for their work in delivering the event, and highlighted the depth of service shown by nominees, many of whom have volunteered for decades in sport, youth, cultural and support organisations.

The 2026 award recipients reflected the breadth of community involvement across the Valley.

Dale Brunsdon was named Senior Citizen of the Year for his decades of service with Lifetime Connect’s Meals on Wheels program, where he has provided not only meals but companionship and vital social connection to vulnerable residents.

Hamish Scott received Young Citizen of the Year, while Lexi Brown was honoured as Young Indigenous Citizen of the Year.

Both recipients were unable to attend, their awards were accepted by their mothers, who passed on the sentiments of Hamish and Lexi.

The Good Neighbour Award went to Gai McKay, and Services to the Community Award was presented to Pat Greenwood, Julie Gooch and Brian Liddell.

The Environmental Award was presented to Tina Birtles, with Ceri Wrobel recognised for Cultural Achievement and Freya Paton receiving a Special Achievement Award.

Sporting excellence was also acknowledged.

The Sports Achievement Awards presented to the Bowraville Junior Rugby League team, the Nambucca Roosters Rugby League Football Club First Grade men’s team, and the Nambucca Roosters Women’s Rugby League team.

The ceremony was addressed by Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, who acknowledged veterans in attendance and delivered a stirring address on just why Australia is the “Lucky Country”.

State Member for Oxley Michael Kemp also addressed the gathering and acknowledged that Australia Day can hold different meanings across the community and that not everyone sees the day as a time for celebration.

Australia Day Ambassador James Pittar captivated the audience as he reflected on what it is to be Australian, pointing to family, freedom and opportunity, before regaling his experience of swimming the English Channel as a blind athlete.

Nominations for the 2027 Nambucca Valley Community Awards remain open for most of the year and can be made through the council’s website.