The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has congratulated CMA Board Member and Singleton Council Mayor, Sue Moore and Gunnedah Shire Mayor, Colleen Fuller OAM, for being recognised at the 2026 NSW Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.
CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM, on behalf of the CMA Board and its’ 89 member councils, said the awards were a fitting recognition of the outstanding leadership and service provided by both mayors to their communities and to local government across NSW.
Mayor Moore received the prestigious Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award – the highest honour in the annual awards – while Mayor Fuller was presented with the Excellence in Councillor Leadership Award.
“On behalf of the Country Mayors Association of NSW, I warmly congratulate Mayor Moore and Mayor Fuller on these well-deserved respective honours,” Mayor Firman said.
“I know they have accepted these accolades with grace and humility. I’m sure I echo them in applauding the people who support them, particularly their understanding families and Council colleagues.
“Mayor Moore serves alongside me on the Premier’s Rural Remote and Regional Advisory Council and has been the Chairman of the NSW Joint Organisation Chairs Forum. Like Mayor Fuller and their fellow country NSW Mayors, Mayor Moore gives much of herself for what she believes in.
“These awards recognise not only their individual achievements, but the dedication, resilience and leadership that women across country and regional NSW bring to local government every day.
“Mayor Moore and Mayor Fuller are outstanding advocates for their communities, their respective regions and strong contributors to local government in NSW. Their recognition is a source of great pride for the communities they represent and for their peers in the CMA family.”
Mayor Firman said it was particularly pleasing to see the strong representation of rural and regional NSW among this year’s award recipients.
“Two-thirds of the record 188 nominations received this year came from rural, remote and regional councils, which demonstrates the enormous contribution being made by women working and serving in local government across country NSW,” he said.
“From elected representatives and senior executives to frontline staff and emerging leaders, women are making an enormous difference to the delivery of essential services, the strength of our communities and the future direction of our councils.
“Both Mayor Moore’s and Mayor Fuller’s work and their achievements serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of women who want to make a difference through local government and community leadership”.
Mayor Firman also acknowledged the NSW Government and the NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig and NSW Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, for continuing to recognise the contribution of women across the local government sector.
“These awards are an important opportunity to celebrate the women who are helping build stronger, more resilient and more connected communities right across NSW,” Minister Hoenig said.
