The Shire of Harvey is proud to announce the 2026 Citizen of the Year Award winners:
Young Citizen of the Year: Sophia Tomas.
This award recipient has brought joy to many community events, sharing her talent through performances at Australia Day celebrations, Senior Citizen activities, Christmas carol events and the Harvey Show. She is also deeply involved in local sport, serving as a Harvey Basketball coach and referee and as a teacher at the Harvey Karate Club. Each Thursday, she can be found supporting students as they develop their karate skills, not only focusing on the sport itself, but also encouraging discipline, resilience and a commitment to personal growth. Her leadership extends to education, having served as Head Girl at St Anne’s School and as a School Captain at Our Lady of Mercy. She is involved in community and social events, helping to raise awareness and support fundraising efforts.
Community Citizen of the Year Jeff Gale.
This award recipient’s leadership and community service span more than five decades, defined by vision, dedication, and tangible results. His contributions include 38 years of distinguished service with the Harvey Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service. He has earned prestigious honours such as the National Medal, and Life Membership in 2021. This recipient’s impact also extends across sport and recreation. He has held roles with the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club, the Harvey Bulls Football Club and the Harvey Golf Club.
He played a key role in the Harvey Mainstreet Committee, the Harvey Men’s Shed committee and guided South West Community Care through a decade of growth.
Across every role, his foresight and commitment have left organisations stronger, more resilient, and better connected than when he began.
Active Citizenship Award – Group or Event Brunswick Junction Community Men’s Shed.
Among the many valuable initiatives delivered by this group, a standout achievement is the Act Now, Stay Secure campaign. This initiative delivered practical workshops that built cybersecurity awareness and confidence, particularly among seniors and vulnerable community members.
Projects like this take a lot of work. This group successfully secured funding and partnered with key organisations to bring this initiative to the community. Now, more residents have the knowledge they need to identify scams, protect personal information, and navigate the online world.
Senior Citizen of the Year Ann Ryan.
This award recipient has made invaluable contributions through her work at a charity op shop and by coordinating and participating in many fundraising initiatives, including sausage sizzles, container collections and garage sales. This effort supports Relay for Life, and along with her team The Sassy Seagulls, she has raised an incredible $23,904 to date, making them the leading fundraisers in the area. Beyond her fundraising efforts, this recipient shares her love of ballroom dancing through volunteer work with Can Dance Southwest. She is known for creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where students with special needs can enjoy social and performance dancing every week.
Nominees included:
- Community Citizen of the Year: Jeff Stewart Gale from Harvey, Desiree Cailes from Bunbury, Julie Doyle from Binningup and Rodney Barrett from Brunswick Junction.
- Young Citizen of the Year: Sophia Tomas from Harvey.
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Anne Ryan from Australind, Wayne Jackson from Myalup, Lorraine Stone from Brunswick Junction and John Fry from Brunswick Junction.
- Active Citizenship Award for a Group or Event: Brunswick Junction Community Men’s Shed, Harvey Community Resource Centre, Brunswick River Cottages and the Brunswick Slot Car Club.
Congratulations to the 2026 Citizen of the Year award winners and nominees!
Thank you to our amazing volunteers, including Councillors, Elder Lesley Ugle and the Harvey Aboriginal Corporation, the Yarloop Primary School choir, the Harvey Australia Day Breakfast Committee, the Lions Club of Brunswick Junction and to everyone who helped deliver the 2026 Australia Day Breakfasts and citizenship ceremony.