Recognising Council’s 2026 Citizen and Young Person of the Year

Published on 21 January 2026

A Cohuna resident dedicated to supporting his community and a young woman who is a key leader at her netball club have been recognised as part of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2026 Citizen Awards program.

Graeme Peace was named Gannawarra Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year during a reception held at Kerang earlier this evening, whilst Brylee Clingan was presented with Council’s Young Person of the Year Award.

“Gannawarra Shire Council congratulates Graeme and Brylee for receiving these prestigious awards and congratulates all nominees for their continued generosity and contribution to communities across the Gannawarra,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

“All who were nominated are winners as far as my fellow Councillors and I are concerned, with our communities the benefactors of their efforts.”

Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2026 Citizen of the Year, Graeme Peace was recognised for more than three decades of service to numerous Cohuna-based organisations.

“For more than three decades, Graeme has been a quiet but constant force for good within the Cohuna community. Through his tireless volunteer work, leadership, and generosity, he has made a lasting contribution to local sport, agriculture, faith, and community life,” Mayor Smith said.

“Graeme has been a member of the Cohuna Golf Bowling Club for more than 30 years, serving on the general committee, pennant team selector and president for two years. When participation in Wednesday night bowls declined, threatening the tradition’s survival, Graeme stepped in to revive it, rebuilding this event into one of the club’s strongest and most popular fixtures.

“Graeme has also had a long association with the Cohuna Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society, which he is a life member of. Graeme was the society’s president for 10 years, was a key organiser of the Cohuna Show and played a pivotal role in the construction of the new Morton Garner Pavilion at the Cohuna Recreation Reserve.”

Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2026 Young Person of the Year, Brylee Clingan was recognised for her leadership within the Kerang Football Netball Club.

“The winner of the 2025 Kerang Football Netball Club Youth Leadership Award, Brylee has continued to demonstrate outstanding leadership, maturity and commitment beyond her years,” Mayor Smith said.

“During the 2025 netball season, Brylee proved herself to be an invaluable contributor both on and off the court. She regularly umpired each week, often taking on two games in a day, while also assisting with umpiring at training around her own sessions. She was equally committed off the court, volunteering at training-night dinners, helping in the kitchen, and contributing creatively as part of the club’s social media team.

“Brylee’s leadership was further recognised when she was appointed Vice-Captain of the B Grade team in her first senior season. She quickly earned the respect of teammates, coaches, opponents and umpires through her sportsmanship, reliability and positive attitude.”

Graeme and Brylee will also be recognised for receiving their respective awards as part of Australia Day celebrations occurring throughout the Gannawarra on Monday, 26 January.

ABOVE: Mayor Garner Smith (third from right) with 2026 Gannawarra Shire Council Citizen and Young Person of the Year nominees Lee Walkington (left), Merril Scriven, Graeme Peace, Brylee Clingan and Heather Mortlock. ABSENT: Sophie Hunter.

The following residents were also recognised during the civic ceremony as nominees for Council’s major citizenship awards:

Citizen of the Year

Heather Mortlock

A Kerang resident for more than 40 years, Heather is, like many Gannawarra residents, very community minded. A former mothercraft nurse, Heather has been and continues to serve on many voluntary organisations.

Heather is currently vice president of the Country Women’s Association’s Dingwall branch and president of the Kerang and District University of the Third Age.

Heather is also a passionate volunteer at the Kerang District Health Rita Hall Hospital Op Shop, where she works behind the scenes sorting donations and completing little jobs that make a difference. She also delivers Meals on Wheels to Kerang residents once a month.

Merril Scriven

The Kerang and District Agricultural Society, Kerang Swimming and Lifesaving Club, Kerang Quilters and St John’s Church Parish have all benefited from Merril’s commitment to community.

Many people would have first met Merril when she was an Accounting teacher at Kerang Technical High School or as a swimming trainer; however, one of her recent passions has been the Kerang Show. Merril has been the show’s treasurer and the event’s Chief Steward. She also led the way in moving the show’s entries to online last year.

Merril is also passionate in eliminating bindi weed from Kerang. She is renowned as one of the town’s bindi blitzers, spending time each year spraying these noxious weeds throughout the town.

Lee Walkington

Lee has an extensive background in netball officiating and management, which flowed through to when she moved to Cohuna late last century and joined the Union Netball Club.

Lee also led the way for local quilters, starting a patchwork group with other quilters from Kerang, which then grew to become the Cohuna Country Quilters Weekend, which attracted tutors from across Australia to Cohuna to deliver workshops.

Nowadays, Lee is a familiar face with the Lions Club of Cohuna, where she has been a member since 2009. Lee has held various roles at a club and district level.

Lee is also the face of the Leos program across the region. Lee was instrumental in forming the Cohuna and District Leo Club in 2013, providing young people with an outlet to connect and volunteer.

Young Person of the Year

Sophie Hunter

Sophie is an invaluable member of the Kerang Football Netball Club, demonstrating outstanding dedication through her involvement in a variety of roles, including coaching, umpiring, managing our social media.

Both on and off the court, Sophie consistently shows a positive attitude and upholds excellent sportsmanship—towards teammates, opponents, and officials alike.

Sophie received the Kerang Football Netball Club’s Under 21 Rising Star Award in September, recognising her efforts both off and on the court.

TOP: Mayor Garner Smith (centre) with 2026 Gannawarra Shire Council Citizen of the Year, Graeme Peace (left) and Young Person of the Year, Brylee Clingan.