A statement from Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey
Today, I celebrate being Australian along with more than 20 million others.
We have so much to be proud of here. Australians are innovative, resilient and resourceful, something I see every week in my travels throughout the electorate of Parkes that includes more than 50 percent of New South Wales.
In communities from Lightning Ridge to Parkes, and Broken Hill to Narrabri, and all the many unique towns in between, I meet with people and organisations who are inspiring. I meet with people and organisations that work hard to make a difference.
Today I am celebrating Australia Day at Coonamble. I am honoured to join the community of Coonamble as they show their pride in this special day. I was also honoured to attend Australia Day events in Dubbo yesterday.
I would like to congratulate the outstanding citizens who have been the recipients of Australia Day awards throughout the Parkes electorate. Councils throughout the electorate have recognised people and organisations that go above and beyond to make their communities great places to live, who help other people, who step up when times are tough.
A huge congratulations to Nedd Brockmann from Parkes who has been named as 2026 Young Australian of the Year. Nedd has made an incredible difference to homelessness with his determination and leadership.
Among those who have been recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, including:
Medal of the Order of Australia recipients:
- Laurience Roger Ashcroft for service to the community of Parkes
- John Alex Elliott for service to the community of Wilcannia
- Alister Colin Ferguson for service to the Indigenous community of Bourke
- Colleen Honor Fuller of Gunnedah for her service to the community through a range of organisations
- Raymond Bruce Hughston for services to the community of Wanaaring
- Richard William Blackman for services to the community of Coonabarabran
- posthumously to Janice Margaret Cattle for service to the community of West Wyalong.
Member of the Order of Australia:
- Anne Dennis for significant service to the Indigenous Community of NSW.
- And the Australian Fire Service Medal has been awarded to David John Welch of Gunnedah for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.
Congratulations to these award recipients and all those who have been recognised today throughout the electorate of Parkes.
For more details about the Australia Day Honours and recipients, visit Australia Day 2026 Honours List | Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
ENDS
Caption: Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey with Dubbo Senior Citizen of the Year Pauline McAllister.
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au