Dungog has been named the Overall Winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) 2026 Tidy Towns Awards, recognising its strong community leadership, environmental action and sustained volunteer commitment. The winners were announced on Saturday 17 October at an awards ceremony hosted by Orange, the 2025 titleholder.
With this award, Dungog will represent New South Wales at the 2027 Australian Tidy Towns Awards.
Dungog was recognised for its strong volunteer networks, community ownership and ability to turn local concerns into lasting action. Its achievements span waste reduction, environmental education, biodiversity and community connection.
The community also received awards for Single Use Plastic-Free Dungog, Myall Creek Rehabilitation – A Rediscovery and Local Heroes recipient Michelle Dado-Millynn.
KAB NSW Overall Assessor Peter Clark highlighted the community’s ability to sustain action over time:
“Dungog’s greatest strength is the combination of resilience, initiative and community capacity,” Mr Clark said.
Across NSW, the awards recognised projects led by councils, community groups, schools, businesses and individuals, from habitat restoration and water protection to waste avoidance, heritage and inclusive public spaces.
Since 1981, the Tidy Towns program has recognised and celebrated efforts to protect and enhance the environment in rural and regional NSW. The awards highlight the contribution of local people and the practical results achieved through community partnerships.
KAB NSW CEO Val Southam congratulated Dungog and all award recipients:
“These awards celebrate the people who give their time, energy and ideas to make their communities better places to live. Dungog’s achievements show how much can be accomplished when local people work together and sustain that commitment over time.”
The awards are hosted by Keep Australia Beautiful NSW with support from Orange City Council, NSW Environment Protection Authority, Snowy Hydro and JR Richards & Sons.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE KAB NSW 2026 TIDY TOWNS WINNERS AND HIGHLY COMMENDED TABLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2026 TIDY TOWNS WINNERS’ BOOK
Photos from the event are available at: https://clients.paulbenjamin.com.au/-towns26/gallery. Please credit Paul Benjamin Photography.
[ENDS]
Contact Details
Val Southam, Chief Executive Officer KABNSW at ceo@kabnsw.org.au, t: 0419016401
EDITOR’S NOTE:
About the KABNSW Tidy Towns Awards
ABOUT THE TIDY TOWNS AWARDS
Since 1981, the Tidy Towns Program has been rewarding and recognising projects around litter, waste management, recycling, heritage, community spirit and other environmental areas in towns both large and small across the breadth of NSW.
We endeavour to deliver an inclusive and positive platform that encourages shared learnings and inspires environmental action at the local level. The program recognises and celebrates those rural and regional communities who are pioneering the path towards a more sustainable future.
About KAB NSW
Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KABNSW) is the state’s premier organisation for litter reduction and environmental sustainability. Independent and not-for-profit, our focus is to engage communities and collaborate with industry, businesses, state and local government to promote sustainable behaviour changes for the future prosperity of our State.
Keeping Australia beautiful is about more than keeping litter out of our environment and over a 40-year history our programs have adapted to incorporate all aspects of sustainability. We have built a state-wide network of dedicated individuals, businesses, schools, community groups and government bodies striving to deliver a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Through five core programs we work with communities across regional, metropolitan, and coastal NSW to educate and motivate environmental initiatives.