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Australia Day 2026: Junee Beats the Heat with Fun, Pride and Community Spirit

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1 week ago

January 26, 2026

FROM sunrise sweat to heartfelt ceremony, Junee came alive with community spirit on Australia Day as dozens laced up for the revamped 3.2km Fun Run before packing the historic Athenium Theatre for a powerful morning of celebration, storytelling and recognition.

The atmosphere was buoyant from the outset, with organisers praised for choosing a central that brought families, runners and spectators together across Broadway and the Athenium Theatre precinct.

Festivities began at 7.30am with the redesigned 3.2-kilometre Australia Day Fun Run, which once again proved a standout success as dozens of locals turned out to beat the heat.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Participants of all ages took part — children on bikes, parents with prams, grandparents, and even family dogs — creating a relaxed, inclusive scene that underscored the event’s community focus.

Starting and finishing at the Athenium Theatre, the new course guided runners, walkers and riders down Broadway, past the caravan park and Loftus Oval, along the footpath behind John Potts Drive, before crossing through the Junee Wetlands via the boardwalk and looping back to the theatre forecourt.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

A brief medal presentation and BBQ breakfast awaited participants at the finish line, where the competitive edge of the morning was balanced by a social gathering under warm clear skies.

Among the standout performances, Bradley Slattery claimed the Open Male Runner title in 12:16, while Hayley Stevens led the women’s field, taking out Open Female Runner in 14:48.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

In the over-40s categories, James Halliburton posted a time of 14:13 to secure 40+ Male Runner, and Danielle Fellows finished in 16:47 to win 40+ Female Runner.

The junior races also delivered strong performances, with Harrison Fanning winning Junior Male Runner in 13:34 and Indy Heydon taking out Junior Female Runner in 13:51.

The Junior Walker category was won by George Baldry in 8:05, while the Team Award went to Mitch Heydon, Indy Heydon, Shay Heydon, Scout Hedlund and Hamish Halliburton, who recorded a combined time of 71:32.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Honours in the heart of town

Following the run, crowds gathered at the Athenium Theatre for Junee’s official Australia Day Honours Ceremony at 10am, formally recognising the individuals and groups who have helped shape the community over the past year.

The stage was framed by native Australian blooms as Mayor Bob Callow welcomed those in attendance.

Proceedings were opened by Aunty Gail Manderson with a Welcome to Country, before the Junee Scouts raised the Australian and Aboriginal flags and the audience stood for the National Anthem, led by the Junee Community Choir.

Junee’s 2026 Australia Day Ambassador, Luke Taylor — a former detective turned educator and advocate — then addressed the crowd, speaking to the power of community, storytelling and resilience.

The presentation of awards followed, recognising outstanding contributions across sport, the arts, education and civic leadership.

Arts & Community Award: Illabo Melodrama Group
For more than two decades, this volunteer ensemble from Illabo, Eurongilly and Junee has entertained crowds with theatrical performances and supported countless local fundraisers — helping foster pride, creativity and connection in the rural community.

2026 Arts & Community Award, Illabo Melodrama Group | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Sports Award: Rylee Henderson
A multi-talented Year 10 student excelling in league tag, AFL and rugby union, Rylee toured internationally with Australian squads in 2025 and will head to Europe in 2026 with the Wanderers AFL team. A member of elite academies across three codes, she balances elite-level sport with school and work, setting an example for young athletes.

Team of the Year: Illabo Public School
With just a dozen students, this rural school continues to punch well above its weight — winning the Black Billy Cup, medalling in state athletics relays, and defending their Small Schools Touch Knockout title. Their impact stretches beyond sport, with standout community participation at ANZAC Day and local commemorations.

Young Citizen of the Year: Madison Hazell
A national bowls silver medallist, Madison has used her platform to advocate for gender equality in sport, gathering thousands of petition signatures and earning a seat on the NSW Junior Committee. She also serves on the Junee Youth Council and was dux and school captain of Junee High in 2025.

Citizen of the Year: Natalie Phillips
A driving force behind Christmas Day meals at the Open Kitchen, Natalie has long supported local families through hardship. She’s also played key roles in business and event development across Junee, including Christmas on Broadway and the former Rhythm and Rail Festival.

2026 Junee Citizen of the Year, Natalie Phillips | Photo: Supplied

Councillor Pam Halliburton offered a formal vote of thanks to Ambassador Taylor before attention turned to the town’s colouring-in competition, which once again drew strong participation from local children.

Winners included Layne Drew in the 6–8 years category, Olivia Burton in 9–11 years (with Mahli Carter highly commended), Kenzi Smith in the 12 years and over category, and Olivia Burton also claiming the Public Choice Award.

Youth Council representative Matika Simmons delivered a thoughtful reflection to close the ceremony, after which Junee Scouts respectfully lowered the flags.

Mayor Callow formally closed the ceremony, with the stage framed by native Australian flowers, bringing a fitting close to a morning that balanced celebration, recognition and community connection.