Trailblazer Ali Brigginshaw crowned Ipswich Citizen of the Year
Published on 22 January 2026
When Ali Brigginshaw took to the field for Norths Tigers as the only girl in the match, the nine-year-old may not have been fully aware at the time of the trail she was to blaze in rugby league.
Now possibly Ipswich’s most decorated product in its favourite sport, Ms Brigginshaw adds to her list of accolades as the Citizen of the Year at the 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Awards.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Ms Brigginshaw is one of six Ipswich Australia Day Awards winners recognised for their significant contributions to the city.
“Ali embodies the spirit of Ipswich, never taking a backward step even from a very young age when she was tackling boys on rugby league fields across the city,” Mayor Harding said.
“From making boys’ junior representative teams to winning four NRLW premierships, a Dally M medal and State of Origin and World Cup titles as Queensland and Australia captain, she has done it all in this great game.
“She has passionately worked to grow visibility of women and girls’ rugby league, inspiring younger generations to take up the sport, while also giving back to Ipswich through school mentoring and community outreach programs.”
The full list of 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Awards winners is:
- Citizen of the Year: Ali Brigginshaw
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Elizabeth Gough
- Young Citizen of the Year: Harrison Rule
- Cultural Award: Aunty Vera Short (posthumous)
- Sport and Recreation Award: CJ Mulvogue
- Community Group of the Year: Springfield Mo-Men
“I congratulate Ali, Elizabeth, Harrison, CJ and the members of Springfield Mo-Men and thank them for their service to communities across Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“They have been recognised for their inspiring and selfless efforts to help make Ipswich a connected, inclusive and vibrant city. I also want to pay my respects to Aunty Vera, who has been posthumously recognised with the Cultural Award after she passed away late last year.”
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said the Ipswich Australia Day Awards are an important event for the city.
“I extend my congratulations to the winners and acknowledge the people and organisations who were also nominated this year,” Cr Augustine said.
“The judges had a very difficult time selecting the winners from a highly respected and inspirational list of nominees and assure me any of them would have been worthy award recipients.
“The Ipswich Australia Day Awards is a celebration of the people and groups who make our city great. I encourage residents to continue their support by nominating their local heroes in future years.”
IPSWICH AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS WINNERS 2026:
Citizen of the Year: Ali Brigginshaw
A trailblazer for women and girls in rugby league, Ali is a four-time NRLW premiership winner, won the 2020 Dally M medal and has captained both the Queensland and Australia representative sides to State of Origin and World Cup titles. She has spoken passionately in support of female participation in the game and worked in mentorship and community outreach at Ipswich schools.
Senior Citizen of the Year: Elizabeth Gough
Forty of Elizabeth’s 92 years have been spent volunteering with Lifeline Queensland, both with the crisis support phone line and, more recently, as a mentor to those working in the same field. Her contributions have included answering calls up to midnight from people navigating mental health challenges, grief and crisis situations.
Young Citizen of the Year: Harrison Rule
As a Year 12 student, Harrison participated in St Edmund’s College’s annual 115-kilometre charity bike ride, Skool 2 Schoolies, benefitting Ipswich Hospice and St Vincent de Paul Society, as well as raising funds for homelessness charity Down2Earth, volunteering at Meals on Wheels Ipswich and Sunday Combined College Mass and supporting mental health awareness at the school. He participated in Queensland Youth Parliament and council’s Ipswich Youth Advisory Council.
Cultural Award: Aunty Vera Short (posthumous)
A highly-respected First Nations elder, Aunty Vera passed away in November after a lifetime dedicated to improving outcomes for all people. She was the founder and former Chair of Leichhardt-One Mile Community Centre, which provides emergency relief and other services to community members. She was also involved in health, culture, sport and other areas.
Sport and Recreation Award: CJ Mulvogue
A long-time volunteer with Collingwood Park Power AFC, CJ has grown girls’ and women’s participation numbers at the club by 50 per cent. She is an Auskick volunteer, coach and Vice-President of junior teams at the Power and has worked to encourage multicultural involvement in the game.
Community Group of the Year: Springfield Mo-Men
As well as raising more than $500,000 to support tackling of men’s health challenges in partnership with the Movember Foundation, the group has formed ties with local schools, businesses, clubs and organisations to promote mental and physical health.