Australia Day 2025 Honors Community Leaders

The 2025 Australia Day Awards celebrated outstanding individuals and community leaders across Australia, recognizing their contributions to society. In Hawkesbury, Sarah Cassim was acknowledged for her work with local women in business and mental health initiatives. Logan residents Abdul Khan and Lilly Rider were honored for their community support efforts, including refugee assistance and fundraising for homelessness. The late Bruce Simpson of Deniliquin was posthumously awarded for his community service, while Dr. Galarrwuy Yunupiŋu received the Companion of the Order of Australia for his advocacy for Indigenous rights. Meanwhile, the date of Australia Day remains contentious, as it marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, leading to ongoing debates about its significance as 'Invasion Day' for Indigenous Australians.