Members of the Tumbarumba Rotary Club are looking forward to seeing you at the Goldenfields Park and Creekscape as they play host to Australia Day celebrations this weekend. Photo: Tumbarumba Rotary Club Facebook.
Communities across the Snowy Valleys are preparing for Australia Day on Monday 26 January, with celebrations in towns across the local government area including Adelong, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo and Tumut, but not Khancoban.
According to Snowy Valleys Council, the Khancoban event has been postponed due to reduced volunteer availability following the recent Victorian bushfires.
Organiser, the Khancoban United Volunteer Association (KUVA), says a new date will be announced soon.
This year, the region is taking a slightly different approach to formats adopted by other towns, with no official Australia Day ambassadors.
Each town’s commemorations are run by a community group, who will be presenting Australia Day awards and providing food and entertainment for the whole family, giving the events a personal, community-driven touch.
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In Tumut, festivities begin at 11 am at the Montreal Theatre where the Montreal Community Theatre Committee will act as hosts.
Among the planned activities will be the presentation of Australia Day certificates of recognition, overall awards, a free sausage sizzle, cake, Zooper Doopers, water and a free screening of the Australian film Kangaroo at 1:30 pm.
Batlow’s celebration, thanks to the Rotary Club of Batlow, starts at 8 am in Memorial Park, with breakfast and the presentation of local awards, featuring renowned sports journalist Tracey Holmes as guest speaker.
Adelong’s Australia Day program, organised by the Adelong Progress Association, kicks off at 11:30 am at the Adelong Services Citizens Bowling Club with a complimentary morning tea.
Tumbarumba begins its event at 10:30 am at Goldfields Park and Creekscape and is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Tumbarumba, while Talbingo celebrations, thanks to Talbingo Community Association, kick off at 4 pm at Dawn’s Camp Kitchen in Miles Franklin Park, with a free community barbecue at 5 pm and the official program commencing at 6 pm.
Long-time Talbingo resident and previous recipient of the Talbingo Australia Day Award Lindsay Raymond will be speaking at the event.
Snowy Valleys Council will hold an invite-only civic reception on Saturday 24 January, where the SVC Australia Day Awards will be presented.
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Categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen, Sports, Environmental, Arts & Culture, and Service to the Community, recognising individuals and groups who have made a significant impact on the region.
Looking back at 2025, last year’s winners highlight the breadth of community achievement. Hannah Speers of Adelong was named Citizen of the Year for her leadership and decades of service, while Young Citizen of the Year went to Hannah Rankin of Tumbarumba for her sporting achievements and youth involvement.
Dylan Weir received the Sportsperson of the Year award, Bindi Vanzella was named Environmental Citizen of the Year, and Cara Ironside was recognised for service to the community for her extensive volunteer work in schools, local sport and social initiatives.
