Snowy Valleys Council has recognised its most inspiring individuals for their exceptional contributions and outstanding service to the region, picking well-known local Hannah Speers as its 2025 Citizen of the Year.
The Snowy Valleys Council Australia Day awardees were announced at a special dinner ceremony held on Australia Day eve, with invited nominees joining Councillors and dignitaries at the Batlow Literary Institute.
As well as the Snowy Valleys Council awardees we report on here, each of the surrounding towns – see our separate stories – also held Australia Day events, choosing their own local.
Snowy Valleys Council awards were presented across five categories.
• Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Citizen of the Year – Hannah Speers, Adelong
• Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Young Citizen of the Year – Hannah Rankin, Tumbarumba
• Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Sportsperson of the Year – Dylan Weir, Brungle/Tumut
• Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Environmental Citizen of the Year – Bindi Vanzella, Batlow
• Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Service to the Community – Cara Ironside, Batlow
Mayor Julia Ham said recognising and celebrating local heroes was a privilege, and she was delighted to honour those who go above and beyond to support and uplift others in the region.
“On behalf of the entire Council and our community, I wholeheartedly congratulate all the Awardees. Your hard work and passion are the driving forces behind our collective success,” Cr Ham expressed.
“I would also like to commend every nominee for their remarkable contributions. Their dedication and service make our community a better place for everyone.
“Seeing so many dedicated individuals being acknowledged for their efforts highlights the incredible sense of community spirit we have here in the Snowy Valleys.”
AWARDEES AND CITATIONS
Citizen of the Year – Recognises individuals aged 30 and over who have made an outstanding contribution to the Snowy Valleys community over many years.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Citizen of the Year – Hannah Speers
In October 2024, Hannah retired as president of the Adelong Community Enterprises, the owner and operator of the Adelong Post Office. During her years of leadership, she steered the organisation to great success through her inspiring vision and dedication.
Throughout her career, Hannah has served on numerous boards, including AGT Pty Ltd (Bendigo Community Bank) and ACE (Adelong Community Enterprises), always working tirelessly for the benefit of the Adelong community. She was instrumental in keeping the Adelong Post Office operational for many years, ensuring this vital service remained open. Hannah has also been deeply involved with the Adelong Cricket Association and played a pivotal role in bringing BlazeAid to town after the devastating Black Summer fires, overseeing their efforts throughout their stay.
More recently, Hannah has been a passionate supporter of Life Changer, advocating to introduce this program into local schools—a truly transformative initiative. Additionally, she served as the keynote speaker at the Region Rising Conference in Canberra, where she addressed the challenges facing small communities and the steps the government must take to support them moving forward—no small feat.
Hannah’s dedication to her community is unparalleled. She consistently goes above and beyond in her service.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Citizen Achievement Awards were awarded to:
Mathew Pearce: Matt is a highly dedicated and proactive member of the Adelong community, playing a pivotal role in numerous local committees that aim to enhance the well-being and growth of the area. He currently serves as the chair of AGT Financial Services, as well as an integral figure within Bendigo Bank Adelong, Gundagai, and Tumut. His leadership extends beyond these positions, as he actively contributes to the Adelong Community Enterprise, where he works collaboratively to strengthen local initiatives and support economic development.
John Scott: This nomination recognises John Scott for his outstanding and ongoing commitment to the Talbingo community. See our report on Talbingo’s Australia Day award for more information on John.
Young Citizen of the Year – Recognising individuals aged under 30 years who have made an outstanding contribution to the Snowy Valleys community over many years and are inspirational role models.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Young Citizen of the Year – Hannah Rankin
Hannah is an exceptionally motivated, driven, and inspiring young woman. In April 2024, she took part in Tumbarumba Rotary Club’s Tumba to Kokoda trek alongside 14 peers, demonstrating her dedication through consistent training and her pride in representing Tumbarumba.
As a member of the local league tag team, the Tumba Greens, Hannah has been selected to play for the country team at the CAS Women’s League Tag Championships in Melbourne this September. Additionally, she is an inspiring young referee for the Tumbarumba Minor League and has been chosen to officiate at the Murray Cup Major League for both men’s and women’s teams. She has also been selected to referee the Minor League Grand Final in Wagga. Beyond officiating, Hannah volunteers her time to help with setting up and packing down at Tumbarumba’s home games.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Young Citizen Achievement Award:
Leo Peel: Leo has made remarkable progress in swimming, consistently demonstrating dedication and skill at numerous meets. As a member of the Tumbarumba Swimming Club, he has earned a variety of ribbons, medals, and personal bests. His commitment to improvement is evident in his achievements, and he continues to push himself to reach new goals. Leo’s performance at meets has solidified his reputation as a hardworking swimmer, always striving for excellence in every race.
One of Leo’s most notable accomplishments was being selected to represent the Southern Island Swimming Association (SISA) at the Brophy Swimming Meet in Canberra. This prestigious event provided Leo with the chance to compete against top swimmers, gaining valuable experience and exposure. Additionally, Leo has earned titles such as the TPS School Junior Boys Swimming Championship and the Highlands Junior Boys Swimming Championship. His success continued at the Riverina Swimming Championships, where he placed 2nd in the Individual Medley and 3rd in the 50m Butterfly, earning him the honour of representing both TPS and Riverina at the State Championships.
Sports Person of the Year – Recognises individuals who have achieved sporting success representing their club or association at regional, state level or above.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Sports Person of the Year – Dylan Weir
Dylan is a talented cowboy from Brungle Creek, originally from Tumut. Over the past two years, he has taken bull riding to new heights, claiming victory at the 2023 Xtreme Bull Tour and setting his sights on even bigger achievements in 2024. Currently, he is leading the Australia Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) Bull Riding title with over $40,000 in earnings, a record for a single bull riding season.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Sports Person Achievement Award:
Michael Schwab: Michael Schwab has been a steadfast and dedicated member of the Tumbarumba community for over 30 years, playing an essential role in shaping the local sports scene. His unyielding commitment to youth development and the promotion of local sports has left a lasting mark on the community.
Franklin School Girls Basketball Team and Tumut Public Boys Basketball Team Representatives: Franklin Public School Girls’ Basketball Team have been nominated for their exceptional achievement in being crowned State Champions in the NSWPSSA Knockout. Competing against 262 schools across the state, they emerged as the best, an extraordinary accomplishment for such a small school.
Together with Tumut Public School Boys’ Basketball Team, who also claimed a State Championship this year, these teams have showcased the strength of the Riverina and our town’s sports community. Their dedication, respect for the game, and passion have made the whole of Snowy Valleys proud.
Snowy Valleys Council 2025 Environmental Citizen of the Year – Bindi Vanzella
Bindi has been a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and recovery in Batlow, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating fires. She has played a key role in organising educational events to raise awareness about environmental issues and in leading initiatives that support the local ecosystem. As the leader of the Batlow Environmental Network, Bindi has worked closely with the Batlow Urban and Community Cooperative (BUCC) and other groups to enhance and restore the Reedy Creek area, fostering community involvement in conservation efforts.
Environmental Citizen Achievement Awards
FOGO Team: Joanne Jackson, Angela Ward and Jan Russell – were nominated in recognition of their outstanding work at Tumut Composting Facility. These dedicated women play a crucial role in transforming food and garden waste into high-quality compost that benefits the region’s gardens and soil. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures that contaminants are carefully removed from incoming organic material, allowing the compost to meet the highest standards
Tumut Landcare Nursery Representatives: Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery was founded 25 years ago and has since grown into one of the largest community-operated nurseries in southern New South Wales. The Nursery’s primary focus is to provide local native plants for various Landcare and conservation initiatives. Volunteers propagate over 80,000 trees, shrubs, and understorey plants each year, all grown from local provenance seeds. These plants are carefully nurtured to thrive in the unique conditions of the local environment. Beyond its role as a plant nursery, the Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery serves as an interactive educational hub, encouraging community involvement in nature conservation.
Service to the Community – Cara Ironside:
Cara Ironside is a dedicated community leader in Batlow, known for her quiet yet impactful contributions. Always willing to take on roles or launch initiatives that benefit her community, Cara has been actively involved in numerous local organisations and events. She has supported the local school and multiple sports clubs, some of which may not have survived in Batlow without her time, dedication, and hard work.
Service to the Community Achievement Awards
William O’Connell: Bill has been a dedicated and quiet contributor to the Adelong community for many years. He currently serves as a long-standing board member of the Adelong & Community District Bendigo Bank, an institution that supports a variety of local community and charitable organisations while also ensuring the continued growth and accessibility of banking services in the district. His steady commitment to the bank has made a significant impact on the area’s development.
Erin Nurthen: Erin is an invaluable member of the Tumbarumba community, known for her selfless dedication and extensive volunteer work. She takes part in numerous local organisations, including Rotary, Interact, Harvest Haven, and the CWA. Her unwavering passion for supporting others is reflected in the many groups she contributes to, all aimed at improving the lives of those around her.
