Berrigan Shire Young Citizen of the Year Angus Maughan.
Barooga’s Botanical Reserve provided the backdrop for an amazing Australia Day celebration for Berrigan Shire residents on Monday.
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The breakfast ceremony was well attended, with representatives from all shire towns attending to show support and celebrate the achievements as award winners.
They also had the opportunity to hear from Australia Day ambassador Warren Davies, who is also known as The Unbreakable Farmer.
Multiple community members also took their citizenship oath during the Barooga ceremony, with details to be provided in a future edition of the Southern Riverina News.
In addition to Citizen of the Year Valerie Lockhart (see page 1) and sports award winners (see page 16), the following awards were presented.
2026 Berrigan Shire Young Citizen of the Year – Angus Maughan
A former student of Cobram Secondary College, Angus has consistently demonstrated maturity, integrity and initiative through a range of leadership roles.
As house captain, he played a key role in fostering a positive and inclusive school culture, earning the trust and respect of both staff and students through his empathy, teamwork and strong sense of responsibility.
Angus’s leadership has also extended beyond the school gates.
Appointed as a Rural Youth Ambassador, he became a voice for young people in regional communities.
In this role, Angus was invited to speak in Parliament, where he advocated for Teach for Australia and improved staffing levels in rural and regional schools - a significant achievement that reflects both his confidence and his commitment to improving educational outcomes for others.
Over the past year, Angus has also represented his community with dignity and respect by delivering speeches at Anzac Day services, contributing meaningfully to important national commemorations.
He further demonstrated his dedication to community safety and personal development by attaining his Life Saving Certificate.
2026 Community Organisation or Community Event of the Year - Berrigan Amateur Dramatic Society
The Berrigan Amateur Dramatic Society was Berrigan Shire's Community Organisation of the Year.
For more than a century, the Berrigan Amateur Dramatic Society — or BADS — has been a cornerstone of cultural life in the shire.
Founded in 1923, BADS continues to bring people together through theatre, music and performance, uniting generations and towns across the district.
Over the past year, BADS delivered one of its most successful seasons ever.
It presented a sold-out run of performances, which is a rare achievement for a regional theatre group.
Participants ranged in age from 14 to 80, with audiences, performers and volunteers coming from every town in the Shire.
Entirely volunteer-run, BADS also supports other community groups by sharing equipment, resources and expertise, and regularly contributes to major local events.
Despite challenges such as rising costs, volunteer demands, and the impacts of COVID, BADS has remained resilient, inclusive and passionate.
It is more than a theatre group — it is a living piece of Berrigan’s heritage and a treasured part of our community.
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