Far West NSW Australia Day Honours 2026 for John Elliott, Alister Ferguson, and Raymond Hughston

In Short

Decades of Dedication: Three stalwarts from Wilcannia, Bourke, and Wanaaring have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for a combined century of civic service.

Diverse Impact: The honours recognise a broad spectrum of work, including pioneering justice reinvestment in Bourke, critical infrastructure advocacy in Wilcannia, and decades of frontline emergency response in Wanaaring.

Regional Lifelines: Key achievements include the Cobb Highway Project, the Maranguka Community Hub, and lifelong commitments to the RFS and Royal Flying Doctor Service support.

Three prominent figures from the Back Country have been appointed to the Order of Australia (OAM) in today’s Australia Day Honours List, acknowledging decades of service across local government, emergency services, and social reform.

The recipients, John Alex Elliott of Wilcannia, Alister Colin Ferguson of Bourke, and Raymond Bruce Hughston of Wanaaring represent a combined century of civic contribution in some of the NSW's most remote districts.

John Alex Elliott: A Legacy of Advocacy in Wilcannia

Mr John Elliott’s appointment recognises a prolific record of service to the Wilcannia community that began on the football field in the 1960s.

As a former player and President of the Wilcannia Tigers, Mr Elliott established himself early as a central figure in the town's social fabric.

His contribution matured into significant roles in regional governance and infrastructure.

Most notably, he spent nearly thirty years as a primary advocate for the Cobb Highway Project, a critical transport link for the region.

His leadership extended to the Wilcannia and District Hospital, where he served as Chair during a tenure on the board between 1976 and 1983.

Mr Elliott’s commitment to safety and logistics remains active.

Since 1965, he has been a volunteer with the Wilcannia Rural Fire Service, and he continues to manage the landing lights at the Emmdale Authorised Landing Area, ensuring the Royal Flying Doctor Service can operate safely at night.

Alister Colin Ferguson: Pioneering Reform in Bourke

In Bourke, Mr Alister Ferguson has been honoured for his systemic impact on Indigenous welfare and justice.

As the founder and Executive Director of the Maranguka Community Hub, Mr Ferguson has been instrumental in implementing "justice reinvestment" protocols—the first of their kind in Australia.

His work focuses on shifting resources from the punitive justice system toward community-led preventative programmes.

Beyond Maranguka, Mr Ferguson’s influence is felt through his decade-long chairmanship of the Bourke Aboriginal Community Working Party and his role with the Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation.

Having previously received the Aboriginal Justice Award, this OAM reinforces his standing as a leader of community-led social policy in New South Wales.

Raymond Bruce Hughston: The Practical Heart of Wanaaring

Mr Raymond "Bruce" Hughston’s recognition stems from a lifelong dedication to the viability of Wanaaring. His service is defined by practical, high-stakes responsibility, particularly within the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

Mr Hughston has served as Captain of both the Waanaring Village and Wampralea brigades, holding leadership roles for the better part of two decades.

His technical expertise as a Training and Permit Officer has been vital in maintaining the region’s fire readiness, a contribution formalised in 2021 when he received the National Emergency Medal for his role during the 2019–2020 bushfire crisis.

His civic involvement is remarkably broad; a Trustee of the Wanaaring Memorial Soldiers Hall since 1975, a volunteer with the SES since 2001 and a former first responder for the ambulance service, former President of the Wanaaring Progress Association and committee roles on multiple water associations.