The City of Ballarat will recognise its 2024 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year at a special ceremony on Thursday 25 January.
The annual Australia Day Community Awards are provided by the Australia Day Council and are administered by Local Government Authorities throughout Australia, on behalf of each council. The awards recognise and celebrate individuals and organisations that give up their time to make the community and region a more vibrant place to live.
Community Event of the Year 2024 nominees
The Community Event of the Year Award is presented to the group or person who has staged the most outstanding community activity, either small or large, between 30 October 2022 and 29 October 2023.
Nominees for Community Event of the Year include the Big Blessing Day - Reverse Advent Calendar, Mega Ganesh Festival, Taste of India Food Festival and the 2023 Op Shop and Vintage Sale.
Ballarat Young Citizen of the Year 2024 nominees
The Young Citizen of the Year must be under 25 years of age on 26 January 2024 and is someone already showing leadership, passion and commitment to the community and region. Nominees for Young Citizen of the Year 2023 include Olivia Wiggins and Jacob Osenaris.
Ballarat Citizen of the Year 2024 nominee
The Ballarat Citizen of the Year is someone who has made an outstanding, but often quiet contribution to the community and region.
The nominee for Ballarat Citizen of the Year 2024 is Kevin Moneghetti.
Shining a light on our unsung heroes
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson OAM said the awards recognise the outstanding achievements of community members who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of everyone in the region.
"It is only right that we take the time every year to give credit where credit is due, and to recognise these people and groups for their service to the people of Ballarat," he said.
"And, as we know, not all heroes wear capes. Some just go quietly about their day to day helping others. The Australia Day Community Awards recognise and celebrate some of our unsung heroes."
The City of Ballarat will conduct all events on and leading up to 26 January in line with the recommendations from Reconciliation Victoria to mark the day respectfully, to recognise the honoured place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our nation's history, to be sensitive to the feelings of Aboriginal people who may see the day as one of mourning, and to see the day as an opportunity to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation.
