2026 Australia Day Community Award winners announced

The City of Ballarat has recognised its 2026 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year at an awards ceremony held on Thursday night.

James Waight was named the 2026 Ballarat Citizen of the Year, while Delaney Troon received Young Citizen of the Year and Grill’d City Support Event was named Community Event of the Year.

The annual Australia Day Community Awards are provided by the Australia Day Council and administered by Local Government Authorities throughout Australia, on behalf of each council.  

The awards recognise the unsung heroes of our community who make Ballarat such a great place to live, work and visit.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves congratulated this year’s award recipients for their outstanding community contributions and well-deserved recognition.

“I wish to congratulate James Waight, Delaney Troon, and all involved in the Grill’d City Support Event. Each of our winners has gone above and beyond to support others and strengthen our community,” she said.

“Their contributions embody the spirit of service we value as a city, and it is an honour to recognise them through the Australia Day Community Awards.”

Citizen of the Year – James (Jim) Waight 
Driven by determination and a commitment to helping others, James has transformed his personal experience with cancer into a powerful community movement. In 2021, he founded Jimmy’s Licorice Allsorts, a fundraising cycling team that has raised an incredible $303,000 for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute - Australia’s only regional cancer research facility.  

Under James’s leadership, the team has completed five consecutive Murray to Moyne Cycling Relays, riding over 18,639 kilometres and involving 34 riders alongside countless volunteers and supporters.

What began with one rider has grown into a proud Ballarat tradition, engaging local schools, sporting clubs, businesses, and families through community events, raffles, auctions, and sponsorship partnerships.  

James’s efforts have increased awareness of regional cancer research and inspired others to take action. His achievements include winning the Graham Woodrup Memorial Award for exceptional effort and leadership, building a team culture based on inclusion and resilience, and fostering a sense of purpose that unites people from all walks of life.

James leads quietly and by example, always keeping the focus on the cause rather than himself. His determination, humility, and unwavering commitment to supporting cancer research make him an outstanding role model and a true champion for Ballarat.

Young Citizen of the Year – Delaney Troon

At just 18 years old, Delaney Troon undertook an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness for men’s mental health in Ballarat. Inspired by the loss of her father to suicide when she was six, Delaney launched the “21 Twenty Ones” Challenge -running 21 half marathons in 21 consecutive days, covering an incredible 443.1 km around Lake Wendouree.  

After nine months of intense training, balancing Year 12 studies with up to 100 km of running per week, Delaney completed the challenge and raised over $210,000 for Ballarat Men’s Mental Health, a volunteer-led organisation with no government funding.

Her campaign sparked a wave of community support, with hundreds of locals, schools, and even fire stations joining her runs. Delaney’s efforts not only raised vital funds but also shined a spotlight on Ballarat’s high suicide rates and the urgent need for mental health support. She describes her mission as creating the “medicine of connection,” proving that shared action can save lives.

Following her success, Delaney announced plans to compete in the London Marathon, continuing her advocacy for mental health awareness. Her resilience, compassion, and determination make her an inspiring role model, showing that one person’s courage can unite a community and create lasting change.

Community Event of the Year – Grill’d City Support Event

Since early 2024, Grill’d Ballarat has hosted monthly City Support nights, providing free meals to those in need and fostering inclusion in a welcoming restaurant setting.  

Over 20 months, 3,000 meals were served thanks to the generosity of franchisees Marietta Thompson and Aaron Bones, with support from local agencies like St Vincent de Paul, Salvos, and Uniting Ballarat.  

The initiative created a dignified, social experience for vulnerable community members, reducing isolation and strengthening connections across Ballarat.