Time is running out to nominate a group or person who has gone up and beyond for our community in this year of extraordinary challenges. Don't delay - it's quick and easy!
Nominations are open to recognise individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the Bayside community in 2020.
Many local heroes have stepped up in 2020, assisting others during the COVID-19 pandemic, bush fires and the resulting hardships and challenges.
Connecting others via community events - online or innovatively in person, protecting or conserving the environment and providing support for others in need. All of these efforts are worthy of recognition.
You can help to recognise these contributions by nominating them for the Australia Day Awards. It's easy.
The award categories are:
- Citizen of the Year (27 years or older on January 26 2021)
- Young Citizen of the Year (under 27 years on January 26 2021)
- Senior Citizen of the Year (over 65 years on January 26 2021)
- Community Event of the Year (can be virtual or in person)
- Environmental Achievement - Individual
- Environmental Achievement - Organisation
Applications close 14 December 2020. The winners will be announced on Australia Day 2021.
Previous winners
Previous winners of the Citizen of the Year include Grace Heart Church Reverend, Bruce Corben in 2020, lifelong volunteer Joan McLean in 2019 and Sergeant Arran Ferguson in 2018.
Young Citizens of the Year include Emily Fairweather for her "Florish" anti-bullying and school transition program in 2020, Stella Wadeson for her advocacy for indigenous exchange students at St Leonard's College in 2019, and Millicent Roper and Stevie-Lou Answerth for their work to develop an inclusive culture at Firbank Grammar and other local Bayside schools in 2018.
In its first year as a separate category, Senior Citizen of the Year Award 2020 went to centenarian Ralph Butcher OAM to recognise his contribution to the families of Australian Defence Force veterans.
