Nillumbik Council is inviting nominations for the 2019 Australia Day Awards in the categories of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (16-30 years old), Senior Citizen of the Year (aged over 60), Volunteer of the Year, and Community Group of the Year.
The awards will be presented at Council’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Eltham on Saturday 26 January 2019.
We are asking you to think about nominating those people in our community who largely go unrecognised; those who demonstrate excellence in their field, provide a significant contribution to the Nillumbik community, and are an inspirational role model. To be eligible, they must either live, work or volunteer in Nillumbik.
Mayor and Economic Development and Marketing Portfolio Chair Karen Egan said the Australia Day Awards provide us with a chance to recognise the efforts of our dedicated community members, especially those quiet achievers.
“They don’t always get their share of the limelight, but this is the time to reflect on their contributions and why they make you proud to be Australian,” Egan said.
“This is about celebrating our community heroes. Our message is: don’t hesitate; nominate.”
Egan encouraged everyone to think about people whose community service, work or sacrifice positively impacts others.
“It only takes one nomination to get a deserving person’s name and achievements in front of the judging panel for consideration and you can imagine how it will make them feel,” Egan said.
2018 Young Citizen of the Year, 22-year-old Emily Jetten, said receiving the award for her work in establishing the Feel Good Ethical Market in Diamond Creek was “positive, surprising and really encouraging”.
“It’s just such a great way to empower and acknowledge young people making a difference in the community,” she said.
“Not that I ever wanted or expected it, but public acknowledgement by the community I love and have grown up in was really special.”
Nominations for the 2019 awards close 5pm on Monday 10 December. Nominate online via www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ausday or drop by the Civic Centre in Greensborough to collect a nomination form.
