Nominations are now open for the 2023 Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.
The awards celebrate the outstanding contributions or achievements individuals make to the Hobsons Bay community.
This could be through community service, sport, arts and culture, environment, health and wellbeing, business and economic development, and other areas that contribute to improving our city.
As well as highlighting the excellent work being accomplished by individuals in the community, the awards also give the recipients the opportunity to raise awareness in the community of their interests and vision for the future.
The winners will be announced at Council's Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony on 26 January 2023.
Nominees must be Australian citizens who live, work, volunteer, or study in Hobsons Bay. Nominees for the Young Citizen award must be 26 years or younger on 26 January 2023.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised, nominate them for the Citizen of the Year or Young Citizen of the Year at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/citizenawards or pick up a hard-copy nomination form at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre or your local library.
Nominations close on Sunday 11 December 2022.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Peter Hemphill, said the awards were great recognition of the work our citizens do.
"As Mayor and councillor, I meet many amazing individuals in Hobsons Bay who go above and beyond for their community. The annual Citizen of the Year awards is an opportunity to shine the spotlight on these individuals and celebrate their achievements and contributions to our city," Cr Hemphill said.
"In 2022, Kate De Marco, who started a community pantry in her Seaholme driveway, was crowned the Citizen of the Year, and Tahlia Kotiau from the Williamstown Community Education Centre was named the Young Citizen of the Year.
"It was a pleasure to meet both individuals who are incredible local citizens and contribute greatly to Hobsons Bay.
"If you know someone who makes a difference in our community, show them you value their input and nominate them for the 2023 Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year awards."
Kate De Marco said being named the 2022 Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year had been a great honour.
"I was blown away when I heard I won the Citizen of the Year award for 2022 and a little taken aback. Running the pantry is my way of giving back to the community which has supported me," Ms De Marco said.
"I'm grateful that the pantry has benefited from the award. Now it's always full, with more donations and partnerships with local businesses."
Tahlia Kotiau said being named this year's Young Citizen of the Year had opened new opportunities.
"I am extremely honoured to be the Young Citizen of the Year. Through the award, I've had great opportunities to build the profile of where I work at the Williamstown Community and Education Centre and to be reconnected with the broader community which is especially important following COVID," Ms Kotiau said.
