Netball stalwart Barbara Bird wins Maitland Local Woman of the Year 2026

newy.com.au – Barbara “Barbie” Bird has been named Maitland’s Local Woman of the Year for 2026 for her decades of volunteer service to the Maitland District Netball Association.

The honour was presented at an awards night co-hosted by Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison and the Women’s Network (Hunter NSW), where 11 nominees were recognised for contributions to the local community.

Bird has served as the Maitland District Netball Association (MDNA) canteen supervisor for the past 33 years and, at 82, continues to volunteer week in, week out organising stock, supervising volunteers, working in the canteen and engaging with players and families.

The canteen is the only one at Maitland Park and is MDNA’s major fundraiser, with regular takings of $8,000 a day and a turnover of $154,846.22 in 2024. MDNA said Bird’s long-running commitment helped support the association’s contribution to the $3 million redevelopment of netball facilities at Maitland Park.

MDNA awarded Bird life membership in 1996 and she has received multiple honours, including the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, the Anne Clarke BEM Service Award from Netball NSW in 2001 and the Paul Harris Recognition Citation from the Rotary Club of Maitland Sunrise in 2021.

In recognition of her impact, MDNA has also established an award within its representative program reflecting Bird’s commitment to sportsmanship, positivity and support for others. The association said more than 2,500 local women participate in MDNA competitions.

Aitchison said Bird’s commitment had shaped local sport for generations. “This is such a well-deserved honour for Barbara, whose extraordinary dedication to the Maitland District Netball Association (MDNA) and our wider community has spanned more than three decades,” she said, describing Bird as “the heart and soul of local netball”.

Aitchison also paid tribute to the broader field of nominees, saying they “represent the very best of our community – generous with their time, unwavering in their commitment, and driven by a genuine desire to make Maitland stronger”.

Other nominees for Maitland Local Woman of the Year 2026 were Kelsey Fletcher, Christine Berry, Kelly Hampson, Jade Bassett, Angela McArthur, Callianne Liosskis, Sophie Abela, Ashlyn Hunt, Suzanne Goodman and Michelle Harvey.

MDNA said those at the event expressed admiration for Bird’s decades of service, as well as the warmth and humour she brought to the night.