General News
29 January, 2026
Warracknabeal honours five community champions on Australia Day
Five inspirational members of the community have been announced as the 2026 Warracknabeal and District Australia Day award winners.
Community members packed out the Warracknabeal Racecourse on Monday, January 26, to celebrate the award recipients, first announced in December.
Honours included Citizen of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year, and Sportsperson of the Year, and for the first time, an ‘unsung hero’ was recognised for their unseen work in the community.
Citizen of the Year: Emma Mansfield
Emma Mansfield was named Citizen of the Year for her tireless commitment to the Warracknabeal community and the Warrack Eagles.
Her dedication, humility, and team-first attitude have profoundly impacted local sport and community life.
At the Eagles, her extensive roles include bar manager, netball uniform coordinator, cleaner, former Auskick coordinator, and board member.
In 2023, she was the Wimmera FNL Volunteer of the Year.
Beyond the Eagles, Emma has been treasurer for the Sheep Hills Golf Club since 2015, managing finances, sponsors, and events.
She is also the treasurer/secretary of the Warracknabeal Town Hall Auxiliary Committee.
District Sportsperson Award: Casey Phelan
Casey Phelan has been a talented and active sportsperson since arriving in Warracknabeal as a teacher around 1990.
She has been involved as a player, leader, and administrator in tennis, hockey, and golf at local and regional levels, consistently holding multiple executive positions in various sports clubs annually.
In tennis, she was a member of the premiership Warracknabeal Pennant team in the Central Wimmera Tennis Association and served as president of the Warracknabeal Community Centre.
In hockey, she played over 135 games as goalkeeper for Warracknabeal, captained the women’s team, played in eight premierships, and held roles as club secretary, Wimmera Hockey Association secretary and umpire.
She authored the 50 Years of Wimmera Hockey history booklet and was awarded WHA Life Membership in 2013, and the Jane Gregson Memorial Medal in 2001.
In golf, Phelan is a long-standing Sheep Hills Golf Club member, serving as Secretary for 26 years.
Warracknabeal Rotary Sportsperson of the Year: Clinton Jonasson
Clinton Jonasson is an exceptional leader and sportsman, demonstrating over three decades of commitment to football.
He played 492 senior and reserve games for the Brim and Warrack Eagles, including a club-record 391 games for Warrack. Clinton also coaches U12 and U15 junior teams.
Joining the Warracknabeal Fire Brigade in 2017, he is an active contributor and successful CFA competitor.
After a 15-year hiatus, Clinton spearheaded the revival of senior men's and ladies basketball.
Sportsperson of the Year: Lucy Schilling
Lucy Schilling exemplifies the spirit and values celebrated on Australia Day through her remarkable energy, leadership, and commitment.
Her dedication has resulted in a significant and positive contribution to the Warracknabeal community across numerous areas, including school, work, volunteering, and sport.
Lucy’s commitment to Girl Guides is extraordinary. Having completed the Junior BP Award and BP Award, she is currently working towards the prestigious Queen’s Guide Award.
Embodying leadership, service, and community spirit, Lucy has contributed over 45 hours of community service and achieved success in sport, notably as the Swimming Female Champion 13's & Under in 2021.
Unsung Hero: Maryann Conduit
For 13 years, Maryann Conduit has independently run an in-home animal rescue, relying solely on her effort and community donations.
She ensures all animals receive necessary vet care, including spaying/neutering and vaccinations.
Maryann facilitates food donations at local supermarkets and seeks weekly $5 contributions.
New Australian Citizen in our community: Eli Robinson
Eli Robinson celebrated her first Australia Day as an Australian citizen this year.
Eli was born in Argentina. Several years ago, she met Jason Robinson when he was visiting Argentina on a farming tour.
Eli followed him to Australia, and they married and settled in Warracknabeal.
