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Australia Day is about where we have come from, who we are as a nation and what we aspire to be. We have received a lot of feedback from the community and staff over the years. They say change is as good as a holiday, and we’ve made some changes this Australia Day.
The changes aim to reduce the corporate side of the celebrations and focus more on community involvement and celebration of Australia Day without the formalities.
First change, we are streamlining nominations from 12 categories across 10 events where 100 awards were given out. Over the years, less people are nominating and fitting in 10 events on a public holiday has stretched Council’s resources for several years. Making a change to five nomination categories to one ceremony annually will enhance the significance and prestige of receiving an Australia Day award. The one award ceremony will be hosted in the town of the previous Citizen of the Year winner, in 2026 it will be in Clermont. Nominations close 31 October 2025.
The triathlon, free pool entry and activities, and Council-supported event initiatives will remain unchanged.
The second change is Council will open a $14,000 Australia Day Event Sponsorship Program for not for profits and community groups to apply for to host Australia Day events. We have 17 unique communities, and we welcome them to apply for up to $1,000 to make hometown Australia Day celebrations even better for event and activities. The funding pool closes on 30 November. We’re committed to building community capacity and identity by offering meaningful support.
Residents are encouraged to nominate their community champion, the quiet go-getter or perhaps the humble hero by Friday, 31 October 2025, 11.59PM.
Australia Day is about where we have come from, who we are as a nation and what we aspire to be. We have received a lot of feedback from the community and staff over the years. They say change is as good as a holiday, and we’ve made some changes this Australia Day.
The changes aim to reduce the corporate side of the celebrations and focus more on community involvement and celebration of Australia Day without the formalities.
First change, we are streamlining nominations from 12 categories across 10 events where 100 awards were given out. Over the years, less people are nominating and fitting in 10 events on a public holiday has stretched Council’s resources for several years. Making a change to five nomination categories to one ceremony annually will enhance the significance and prestige of receiving an Australia Day award. The one award ceremony will be hosted in the town of the previous Citizen of the Year winner, in 2026 it will be in Clermont. Nominations close 31 October 2025.
The triathlon, free pool entry and activities, and Council-supported event initiatives will remain unchanged.
The second change is Council will open a $14,000 Australia Day Event Sponsorship Program for not for profits and community groups to apply for to host Australia Day events. We have 17 unique communities, and we welcome them to apply for up to $1,000 to make hometown Australia Day celebrations even better for event and activities. The funding pool closes on 30 November. We’re committed to building community capacity and identity by offering meaningful support.
Residents are encouraged to nominate their community champion, the quiet go-getter or perhaps the humble hero by Friday, 31 October 2025, 11.59PM.
Start with a clear and specific statement that outlines why your nominee is worthy of the award. Ask yourself:
What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken to stand out? What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond their job description? What special skills or talents have they employed? How has the nominee changed their community? Why are you motivated to nominate this person?
Consider your audience The people on the judging panel come from all walks of life. Imagine you are talking to an intelligent, engaged audience without specific expertise in your field. Spell out acronyms the first time you use them and avoid using jargon, overly scientific language or terms that may not be familiar to people outside your industry.
Share their story Strengthen your nomination by painting a picture of the person. What motivates them to make a difference? What personal challenges have they overcome in their life? Why do they inspire others? How does this person make you feel?
Don’t just say it, prove it Use real-world examples that demonstrate what you’re saying is true. Whether your nominee was the first one to lend a hand at the local football club or the person staying back late each night at the lab, we want the stories of their life and the impact they have made.
Tell the facts Support your nomination with hard facts and reliable statistics. Can you provide specific measures of this person’s success?
Aim for quality, not quantity A long nomination isn’t always a better nomination. Try to keep your sentences short and concise and avoid repetition. Steer clear of detailed job descriptions and work histories or providing multiple referee statements that don’t offer new information.
Stick to selection criteria The panel is looking for people who make a significant contribution to the community, who are a role model for people in their community and demonstrate excellence in their field, so ensure your nomination addresses these criteria.
For the Community Event of the Year award, the panel is looking for an event that makes a significant contribution to develop the regional economy and social and cultural life.
