Famous football coach, Moz, named Nambucca Valley Citizen of the Year
Published on 26 January 2026
Hundreds of community members came together yesterday to celebrate our Nambucca Valley Community Awards.
Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee said the event was a major opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of some remarkable individuals and groups.
“It was wonderful to have so many new Australian citizens attend yesterday’s ceremony and for them to be able to celebrate this milestone with their family and friends,” he said.
“It was also truly special to acknowledge and celebrate so many amazing individuals who have given their time, some people over decades, to either sporting groups, community groups, youth, or to those people who are in need in our community.”
The 2026 award recipients at yesterday’s Nambucca Valley Community Awards were:
- Citizen of the Year Award recipient: Maurie Lonergan
- Senior Citizen of the Year Award recipient: Dale Brunsdon
- Young Citizen of the Year Award: Hamish Scott
- Young Indigenous Citizen of the Year: Lexi Brown
- Good Neighbour Award recipient: Gai McKay
- Services to the Community Award recipients: Pat Greenwood, Julie Gooch and Brian Liddell
- Environmental Award recipient: Tina Birtles
- Cultural Achievement Award recipient: Ceri Wrobel
- Special Achievement Award recipient: Freya Paton
- Sports Achievement Awards: Junior Sports Team: Bowraville Junior Rugby League team and Senior Sports Teams: Nambucca Roosters Football Club First Grade Men’s team and Nambucca Roosters Women’s Rugby League team.
The Nambucca Valley Community Awards event was held at the Macksville Ex-Services Club from 4-6:30pm. Its Australia Day Ambassador was James Pittar and both the Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and State Member for Oxley Michael Kemp attended.
Council would like to thank the Nambucca Valley Community Awards Advisory Committee for its help with the awards ceremony.
Nominations for our community awards stay open for most of the year. You can nominate someone for the 2027 awards at our website here.
Citizen of the Year Award recipient: Maurie Lonergan bio
Mr Lonergan has devoted decades of service to the Bowraville Junior Rugby League Club, from coaching and committee work. Over the past 53 years, he has served in almost every role imaginable at the club, including an incredible nine-year stint as President in the late 1990s and early 2000s — the longest in the club’s history. Today, he continues to serve as an active committee member and Coaching Director, sharing his experience, knowledge, and guidance with players, parents, and volunteers alike. Under his mentorship, Bowraville Junior League now fields 21 teams and supports over 330 children, all of whom benefit from Mr Lonergan’s hands-on coaching and dedication.
He has also contributed countless hours to other local community groups, showing dedication, leadership, and generosity. His commitment to volunteering and nurturing community spirit and our valley’s young people is an extraordinary example of service.
Senior Citizen of the Year Award recipient: Dale Brunsdon bio
Mr Brunsdon has volunteered with Lifetime Connect’s Meals on Wheels for decades, going far beyond delivering meals. He provides vital social connection, care, and companionship to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Through his unwavering reliability and genuine concern for others, he helps clients remain independent, feel valued, and stay connected.
Mr Brunsdon has never sought recognition for his work – his motivation has always been helping others. Yet the impact of his contribution is profound. His generosity of time and spirit has made a real and lasting difference, not only to the clients he visits, but to their families, carers, and the wider community.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr Bede Spannagle
GENERAL MANAGER
02 6568 2555
DATE: 26 January 2026