The talent, passion and commitment of people in the Central West to the arts and creative sector has been acknowledged in a whole host of awards and nominations.
Australia Day awards across the region again recognized the value of arts and culture to our communities and the long-time work of so many. Here’s some of the highlights (that we caught in the news):
At the Parkes Shire awards Helen Gray received the Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award. Helen is a highly talented visual artist and an extraordinary advocate for the arts in the Parkes Shire. Read more about her achievements.; Arts OutWest’s vice chair Margot Jolly received the Environmental Citizen of the Year Award for her Landcare work; Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society won the Parkes Shire Performance Award.
In Mid-Western Region Belinda Innes received the Glen Johnston Memorial Award Music and Arts for her outstanding contribution to the arts in Kandos and Rylstone including as director and long-time member of the Junior Twin Town Players.
In the Lithgow LGA Kellie Evans and Rich Evans were named Portland’s Citizens of the Year.
In Bathurst, Hill End’s Analogue Festival was nominated for event of the year; Film maker Henry Simmons was acknowledged (more in the story below); Chase Lewis received the Youth Arts Award.
In Cowra Jenny Friend (Cowra Eisteddfod) was Citizen of the Year; Graham Apthorpe (Cowra Breakout Association, Cowra M&D) received the Dr Warren Whiley Memorial Award for Arts and Culture.
Awards elsewhere…
Carcoar musician-composer Tim Hansen was nominated for an APRA Award in the musical theatre category for the new show ‘Murder Horse’ (premiering at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre May 7-9). Read more
Bathurst District Historical Society President Mary Fletcher has been named the Bathurst Electorate Local Woman of the Year for 2026 during NSW Women’s Week. For more than 30 years Mary has given her time to preserving local history. Read more
Bathurst children’s writer Rachel Jackson has been shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier speculative fiction award, for her 3rd book ‘Escape from Firestone Fortress’. Visit her author page.
Image: Bathurst District Historical Society President Mary Fletcher