Published on Monday, 26 January 2026 at 7:42:57 AM
A community advocate, a young mentor shaping local youth culture, and a grassroots arts organisation driving regional creativity were recognised today as the City of Kalgoorlie‑Boulder announced its 2026 Community Citizen of the Year Award recipients and Walk of Fame inductees.
The winners were announced during a dedicated Australia Day ceremony held at Centennial Park, celebrating individuals, groups and organisations whose service, leadership and achievements have made a meaningful contribution to the Kalgoorlie‑Boulder community, with a particular focus on impact during 2025.
Mayor Glenn Wilson said Australia Day was an opportunity to reflect on what brings the community together and to recognise those who give their time, energy and heart to the city.
“Australia Day is, at its heart, about people,” Mayor Wilson said.
“It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate the place we call home, and the many different journeys that have brought people here and continue to shape our community.”
“It’s also a time to acknowledge those who contribute through service, volunteering, leadership and everyday acts of kindness that strengthen Kalgoorlie‑Boulder.”
2026 Community Citizen of the Year Award Winners
- Community Citizen of the Year
Nick Fardell (Awarded posthumously)
- Young Community Citizen of the Year
Reilly Fowler
- Senior Community Citizen of the Year
Esther Roadnight
- Active Citizenship (Group or Event)
ArtGold (Arts & Culture Goldfields Association Inc.)
Walk of Fame Inductees
- Darryl Tonkin (Awarded posthumously)
- Ronald Sayers (Awarded posthumously)
Mayor Glenn Wilson said this year’s award recipients reflected the many different ways people strengthen Kalgoorlie‑Boulder.
“Our Australia Day Award recipients and Walk of Fame inductees really show the many ways people contribute to this city,” Mayor Wilson said.
“From resilience and generosity, to leadership and service, each of these people has made a genuine difference to our community.”
“We’re recognising compassionate advocacy that’s improved services in our city, people who’ve dedicated a significant time to supporting our young people and seniors, and an organisation that continues to champion arts and culture right across the Goldfields.”
“Every recipient and inductee has strengthened Kalgoorlie‑Boulder in a very real way, and their stories and legacy will continue to shape our community for generations to come.”
About this year’s Australia Day Award Winners and Walk of Fame Inductees
Community Citizen of the Year
Nick Fardell (awarded posthumously)
Nick Fardell is recognised for his extraordinary contributions to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community. Nick passed away in 2025 after a courageous battle with blood cancer, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, advocacy, and community-driven change that continues to inspire.
Following his diagnosis, Nick transformed personal hardship into a public mission, advocating for equitable access to blood donation services in regional Western Australia.
He founded “Shine On Goldfields”, creating a unifying support network for individuals, families, and carers affected by cancer. He led impactful advocacy efforts including a 2,400-signature petition, collaboration with government representatives and local leaders, and formal submissions to the WA Parliament’s Inquiry into Organ and Tissue Donation.
Nick’s leadership directly contributed to Kalgoorlie-Boulder being selected for the first Lifeblood pop-up trial in regional WA. Throughout his illness, he continued to advocate publicly, engage media and government, and represent regional voices with empathy, resilience, and purpose.
His commitment to “giving love and light to those who needed it most” has resulted in lasting benefits for the community he so selflessly served.
Young Community Citizen of the Year
Reilly Fowler
Reilly Fowler has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to local youth culture through his dedication to skateboarding and youth mentorship.
He actively supports young people of all skill levels, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful skate environment that encourages participation, confidence, and connection.
Reilly works closely with Build-Up Skate and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to deliver skate workshops and competitions that engage and inspire local youth.
During the closure of the Kingsbury Park Youth Precinct, he demonstrated strong leadership by supporting youth engagement through the pop-up skate park, helping maintain a sense of belonging and community.
Committed to youth wellbeing, Reilly encourages pride and responsibility within the skate community and promotes values of respect, care, and mateship.
He regularly takes time away from his day job to ensure the skate park remains a safe and inclusive space, offering empathetic support to young people facing challenges such as bullying.
Through his leadership, generosity, and genuine commitment, Reilly has positively shaped our youth community and empowered young people to thrive.
Community Senior Citizen of the Year Award
Esther Roadnight
Esther Roadnight has dedicated more than 50 years to serving the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community, demonstrating tireless commitment, compassionate leadership, and a genuine passion for supporting others.
Her contributions span senior advocacy, community projects and crafting through many roles, including as part of the Older Wiser Livier Seniors group, and long-standing Rotary service, through which she has enriched lives and strengthened community connections across generations.
Esther’s unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and decades of service have brought about lasting, positive change within Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Her leadership continues to inspire others and foster inclusivity, making her an outstanding candidate for the Community Senior Citizen of the Year Award.
Active Citizenship (Group or Event)
ArtGold (Arts & Culture Goldfields Association Inc.)
ArtGold is being recognised for its outstanding leadership, advocacy, and enduring contribution to arts and culture across the Goldfields region. As the peak body for the creative sector, ArtGold plays a vital role in empowering local artists, cultural organisations, and innovative practitioners through consistent support, promotion, and strong sector advocacy.
Operating in a remote region, ArtGold’s impact extends far beyond event coordination and funding assistance. The organisation actively connects artists with opportunities, provides auspicing services that enable access to grants and funding, and champions the value of arts and culture at all levels of government and within the broader community.
Through its commitment to building diverse income streams, fostering operational excellence, and ensuring long-term sustainability, ArtGold has delivered measurable economic and social benefits. Its work strengthens the cultural fabric of the Goldfields, enriches community life, and provides a space for creativity to continue to thrive across the region.
ArtGold’s dedication, innovation, and community-first approach make it a highly deserving recipient of the Community Group/Event of the Year Award.
About this year’s Walk of Fame Inductees
Darryl Tonkin (1954–2021)
Darryl Tonkin served as Manager of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport from 1990 to 2020, playing an instrumental role in shaping the airport into one of Western Australia’s leading regional aviation facilities.
Engaged initially to oversee the construction of the new airport, Darryl was responsible for introducing the documentation, systems and management frameworks required to achieve licensing and ensure safe, compliant and efficient operations.
The airport officially opened in November 1992 and, under Darryl’s leadership, continued to grow and modernise. His commitment and strong work ethic guided the airport through periods of expansion, enhancement and industry change, positioning it as one of the State’s best regional airports.
Darryl was widely respected across the aviation sector. Known nationally as a pillar of the industry, he regularly attended aviation conferences, mediated forums and shared his expertise to support professional standards and development across Australia’s airport network.
After dedicating 30 years to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport and its community, Darryl retired in 2020 and continued contributing to the sector through his Australian Airports Consultancy company. His retirement was short-lived due to illness, and in June 2021, Darryl passed away at the age of 66.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lori, and daughters, Fiona, Gemma, Hannah and Ashleigh. Darryl leaves behind not only a deeply personal legacy but also a lasting professional one, an airport transformed under his leadership and an industry strengthened by his knowledge, integrity and service.
Ronald Sayers (1952–2022)
Born in Kalgoorlie in 1952, Ronald “Ron” Sayers built an extraordinary legacy in the mining industry through innovation, leadership and determination.
After completing his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at the Great Boulder Gold Mine in the 1960s and early 1970s, Ron worked as a machinery salesman before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey that would shape the global mining sector.
In 1987, starting with a single drilling rig, Ron founded Ausdrill and laid the foundations for what would become one of the world’s largest drilling and mining services companies.
Through vision, perseverance and a strong work ethic, he grew Ausdrill into a billion-dollar ASX-listed organisation, recognised internationally for excellence and capability.
His outstanding service to the mining industry was acknowledged in 2018 when he received the prestigious GJ Stokes Award at the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum, honouring his significant contribution to industry growth and leadership.
Ausdrill later became part of the Perenti Group, which today employs more than 8,000 people across 12 countries, continuing the global impact of Ron’s work and vision.
Ron passed away in May 2022, leaving behind a remarkable professional legacy and a lasting contribution to the mining industry, as well as to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Australian resource sectors.
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