Help us recognise the ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things for our community!
Ballina Shire Council invites you to come along and congratulate this year's Australia Day Award nominees and winners and welcome our newest Australian citizens at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Sunday 26 January 2025.
The Australia Day Ceremony will commence at 9am with a Welcome to Country, followed by a special citizenship ceremony welcoming 12 new Australian citizens from Argentina, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Next up, the much-anticipated Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards will shine a light on the outstanding individuals and community groups who make Ballina Shire a better place to live. The 2025 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year will be chosen from all nominees across all categories.
Attendees will also be treated to special performances by singer Katie Rutledge. Ballina Shire Council is delighted to have Sandra Jackson, a well-known and popular announcer on 101.9 Paradise FM, returning as host for this year's ceremony.
The Lennox Head Lions Club will also be hosting a BBQ and music in Lennox Park, Lennox Head on Australia Day. So don't forget to pack your picnic blanket and cossies!
Let's honour our local heroes, provide a warm welcome to our new citizens, and recognise all that is good about living in Ballina Shire.
Whether it's sharing a meal with neighbours, having a picnic in the park or attending a community event, Australia Day is a time to celebrate being part of a proud, ancient, multicultural nation that values every citizen.
Australia Day Award Nominees
This year, we received more than 40 nominations across the eight categories of Local Hero, Young Citizen, Senior Citizen, Volunteer of the Year, Sports Achievement, Arts and Culture, Environmental and Community Event of the Year. The nominees are:
Local Hero
- Jodie Shelley
- Amy Gasnier
- Sarah Rosborg
- Andy Hamilton
- Wardell Core
- Micky Sahni
- Rikki-Lee Petrie
Young Citizen
- Savannah Roberts-Hickling
- Rose Christmas
- Ezekiel Knight
- Lachlan Trease
- Xavier Catholic College Ballina
Senior Citizen
- Rik Dillon
- Phil Chapman
- Heather Munro
- Robert Whiston
Volunteer of the Year
- Diane Parker
- Karen Wilson
- Susan Morrison
- Jesse Pamment
- Mark Ross
- Gabi Enright
- Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club
Sports Achievement Award
- Mikey McDonagh (Surfing)
- Ballina Netball Association Under 17 Boys Team (Netball)
- Le-Ba Boardriders Surfing Team (Surfing)
- Denise Cooper (Outrigger Paddling)
- Mary Davis (Dragon Boating)
- Beth Whaanga (Fuggle) (Rugby Union)
Arts and Culture Award
- Mariah Cavnaugh-Roberts (Dance)
- Craig Parry (Photography)
Environmental Award
- Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue
- Ballina Environment Society
- Wildlife Twins
- Amanda Philp
- Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital
- The Late Shirley White
Community Event of 2024
- The Ox 100km for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DPIG)
- 2024 Skullcandy Oz Grom Open
- Ballina Anzac Day 2024 Commemorations
- Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance
- Rous Public School Bonfire Night
- Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Regatta
- Rotary Community Duck Race
- 21st Charity Melbourne Cup Luncheon.
The ceremony will conclude with the announcement of the 2025 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year.
