Are you a member of an amazing community or sporting group which deserves recognition?
If so, consider submitting a nomination for the 2025 Federation Council’s Australia Day Awards, which opens on Monday, September 30th and closes Monday, November 18, 2024.
The Sunday, January 26, 2025 event will be held in Howlong as decided by council at its July 2024 meeting, then Urana in 2026, Corowa in 2027 and Mulwala in 2028.
The Australia Day Awards program, which includes a new ‘Local Hero Award - Sports’, is a way to honour citizens and community groups of the Federation Council who have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years.
The awards are:
Local Hero Award – Sports
Local Hero Award - Sports aims to recognise individuals or sporting groups who have made a specific volunteer contribution to local sports in areas such as coaching, umpiring, volunteering, sportsmanship and individual sporting achievements over the past year, or contributions to the local community over a number of years.
Citizen of the Year Award
The Citizen of the Year Award applauds an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of the Federation Council community through their leadership and/or voluntary service. Contributions can be in the areas of social, environmental, business and/or arts and culture.
Young Citizen of the Year Award
The Young Citizen of the Year Award recognises a young person aged under 30 years who has given outstanding service to the community. This could be because of voluntary work they have completed, sporting achievements, in the field of education, business or because of personal growth.
Local Hero Award - Individual
The Local Hero Award - Individual celebrates local heroes in each town and village who go above and beyond to make their own community a great place to live. The local hero may be involved in such things as leadership, volunteer work, good neighbourly acts, education, or working with the disadvantaged.
Local Hero Award - Community Group
The Local Hero Award – Community Group acknowledges a group or organisation that in the last year has been inspirational in bringing the community together. They may have hosted an event, delivered successful programs or have found ways to connect with the community.
Council will co-ordinate the formalities of the event, including the welcome address, Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremonies, award presentations, ambassador guest speaker, flag raising ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem.
Detailed guidance to help complete a nomination form is available from the Federation Council website.