Australia Day brekkie at Mildura Sporting Precinct: big crowd, bigger community spirit

Even with a proper Sunraysia heatwave rolling through, locals still turned out in numbers for the Australia Day breakfast this morning at Mildura Sporting Precinct — and honestly, that says a lot about this region.

Council shifted the celebrations from Nowingi Place to the Sporting Precinct due to the forecast extreme heat (comfort a
nd safety first), but the vibe didn’t miss a beat: free brekkie, coffees flowing, and plenty of friendly faces. 

2026 Australia Day Award winners (and why they deserve the applause)

Photo Credit - MRCC

Alongside the breakfast, Mildura Rural City Council announced the 2026 Australia Day Award recipients — the kind of people and community projects that quietly do the hard yards all year round. 

Citizen of the Year: Lisa Crowhurst

If you’ve ever seen a post about an injured kangaroo, orphaned joey, or a native bird needing help around here, chances are you’ve come across the work Lisa and the crew do.

Lisa is recognised for her dedication to wildlife rescue, care and rehabilitation through Sunraysia Wildlife Carers — including running a licensed shelter, responding to emergency call-outs, and helping rehabilitate and release hundreds of native animals. She’s also helped expand wildlife carer training and delivered workshops across Victoria, while working with agencies like DEECA, Parks Victoria and emergency services.

Young Citizen of the Year: Kaitia Phillis-Thornton

Kaitia’s award is a ripper reminder of how much impact one motivated young person can have. She’s been recognised for leadership and community service through her volunteer roles with Girl Guides and the Sunraysia Gang Show — creating inclusive, confidence-building spaces for young people.

Community Event or Project of the Year: Cullulleraine Music Festival 2025

This one will make plenty of locals smile — the Cullulleraine Music Festival 2025 took out Community Event/Project of the Year, and it’s easy to see why.

Council described it as a three-day, volunteer-led festival on the shores of Lake Cullulleraine that celebrated regional arts, brought community together, and boosted local tourism and small businesses. It featured a mix of performers, workshops and family-friendly activities — and drew around 800 attendees. That’s a huge win for a regional event.

A hot day — but a proud one

With the temps up and the heat hanging around, today could’ve easily turned into a “stay inside, crank the aircon” kind of morning. Instead, Mildura showed up for a feed, a chat, and to give proper recognition to locals doing exceptional things.

Massive congrats to Lisa Crowhurst, Kaitia Phillis-Thornton, and the team behind the Cullulleraine Music Festival — you’ve made the whole region proud.