Local Legends Honoured as Australia Day Award Winners Announced

Published on 27 January 2026

Wandoan resident Gregory Zillman has been announced as the Western Downs Citizen of the Year, with former Chinchilla State High School captain Sophie Scutchings named as Young Citizen of the Year in the coveted 2026 Australia Day Awards.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said Mr Zillman and Miss Scutchings are shining examples of the passionate and hard-working people that make the Western Downs such a happy and inclusive region.

"Mr Zillman's leadership across the community is nothing short of inspiring, playing an active role in major projects, including the transformative Greener Ovals initiative, which turned drought-affected grounds into a thriving community hub," Mayor Smith said.

"Mr Zillman is president of the local RSL and the school P&C, vice-president of the Housing Association, an Area Fire Warden Officer, and an active supporter of youth sport through coaching and refereeing.

"Our Australia Day Awards are an amazing way for us to celebrate the people that make our active and vibrant communities such a great place to live, work and play.

"It’s a great honour to be able to recognise these amazing individuals this Australia Day as they contribute to the strong sense of community within our region."

Mr Zillman said he was proud to receive the recognition, emphasising that the achievement reflects the dedication of the whole Wandoan community.

"If we didn't have volunteers and committees in regional Australia a lot of things wouldn't happen…what drives me is making sure I do my part to keep communities going," Mr Zillman said.

Mr Zillman said he was proud to lead the Greener Ovals initiative, a six-month legacy project improving Wandoan State School facilities for current and future students.

"It took lots of partnerships to get it going… but it was that moment seeing those kids running around on it… an oval I played footy with Darren Lockyer on," he said.

Chinchilla resident Sophie Scutchings has also been recognised this year for her achievements, which have  continued to inspire the Chinchilla community and beyond.

Her leadership has extended beyond the school gates winning Lions Youth of the Year and the ANZAC Day Writing Competition, demonstrating academic excellence and local pride.

In 2025, Miss Scutchings took home the Australian record for most take-offs and landings in a single day, completing 150 flights and raising over $15,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Miss Scutchings said she was very excited to have won the award and felt very lucky to be recognised by her community.

"To know that you're doing something for someone else that is going to help them is just my favourite idea," she said.

When asked about her record-breaking achievement, Miss Scutchings said it was great to see the community get behind her and support the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

"My instructor inspired me to do it…he had done it in the past for the Royal Flying Doctors Service…he said he'd really love if one of his students broke his own record."

Gregory and Sophie join 21 other local Australia Say Award winners who were officially recognised as part of Australia Day celebrations on Monday 26 January 2026.

The Western Downs 2026 Australia Day Award Winners are:

Regional Award Winners

Local Award Winners

Local award winners were announced on Friday 16 January 2026, find out more about those dedicated winners here: https://wdrc.au/ausdayawards

For more information contact Council on 1300 268 624 (COUNCIL) or visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au

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