Congratulations to the 2026 Australia Day award recipients in the Parkes electorate!

We are very fortunate to have amazing achievers within the electorate of Parkes, and I congratulate each and every one of them for the great contribution they make to their communities and their country.
We have also been honoured this year with the announcement of Forbes man Nedd Brockmann as the 2026 Young Australian of the Year.
This tradie from Forbes is an extremely inspirational young person.
Medal of the Order of Australia recipients are:
o Laurience Roger Ashcroft for service to the community of Parkes;
o John Alex Elliott for service to the community of Wilcannia;
o Alister Colin Ferguson for service to the Indigenous community of Bourke;
o Colleen Honor Fuller of Gunnedah for her service to the community through a range of organisations;
o Raymond Bruce Hughston for services to the community of Wanaaring;
o Richard William Blackman for services to the community of Coonabarabran; and
o posthumously to Janice Margaret Cattle for service to the community of West Wyalong.
• David John Welch of Gunnedah has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service; and
• A Member of the Order of Australia has been awarded to Anne Dennis, of Walgett, for her significant service to the Indigenous Community of NSW.