Shine a light on the unsung heroes in our community by nominating them for a Western Downs Regional Council 2025 Australia Day Award.
Nominations are now open, and residents are encouraged to nominate an outstanding individual, community group or organisation deserving of recognition for their efforts.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said that the Awards are an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the extraordinary people making a difference in our communities.
"The Western Downs is brimming with outstanding achievers, selfless volunteers and inspiring community groups and putting forward a nomination for the 2025 Australia Day Awards is a wonderful way to show appreciation," Cr Smith said.
"Every year Council asks the community to recognise the amazing people who have made a notable contribution to the region through our regional Australia Day Awards events.
"These awards are incredibly special as they allow us to shine a light on those who contribute to the thriving communities of the Western Downs and help make our region the place we love.
"In the Western Downs, it's the people that make it — and this is especially true of those wonderful individuals and groups that make our active, vibrant communities such a great place to live, work and play.
"I'd like to encourage everyone to jump online an nominate an unsung hero in our community today."
The annual Australia Day Awards acknowledge the achievements of our people across six districts in categories including local volunteering, arts and culture, and sport.
Residents can also nominate for regional award categories including Regional Citizen of the Year and Regional Young Citizen of the Year (aged 30 or younger).
Regional Sportsperson of the Year and the Regional Creative Arts Award are selected from the pool of local nominees from across the Western Downs.
Much-loved Wandoan resident and community volunteer Helen Devlin was named Regional Citizen of the Year at this year's Australia Day Awards in January after more than four decades of service to the Western Downs.
Humbled to have received the honour, Mrs Devlin said the Western Downs community was fortunate to be supported by many dedicated volunteers and community organisations.
"I was very surprised to be nominated last year; people who do volunteer work do it for their love of their community so recognition doesn't really come into it," she said.
"It's lovely for people doing that work to be recognised in the broader community, and it's nice to have someone from a small community take out the regional award.
"I think it was a very special time for the Wandoan community, as the announcement came around the same time as we received the Tiny Towns nomination, which was just wonderful.
"I'd encourage people to make the effort to nominate those special people doing things behind the scenes in our towns, as most people, particularly from other towns and regions, aren't aware of the effort people are putting in."
Mrs Devlin has an impressively diverse volunteering history at Wandoan, which includes gymnastics coach, Wandoan Show poultry steward, president of the Wandoan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, secretary of the local Housing Association, the town Christmas Carnival and is actively involved behind the scenes at Juandah Gardens.
The Western Downs 2025 Australia Day Awards nomination categories are:
Regional Awards
Nominees eligible from across the Western Downs:
- Regional Citizen of the Year
- Regional Young Citizen of the Year (aged 30 years or younger)
Local Awards
To be selected from nominees in each district across Chinchilla, Dalby, Jandowae, Miles, Tara and Wandoan:
- Local Volunteer Award
- Local Creative Arts Award
- Local Community Organisation Achievement Award
- Local Sports Award
Regional Awards
To be selected from the local nominees in each district:
- Regional Sportsperson of the Year
- Regional Creative Arts Award
Nominations for the Australia Day Awards are open until 17 November. Winners will be announced at local Australia Day events across the region on Friday 26 January.
To nominate, visit www.wdrc.info/australia-day-awards
