The search is on for our local community heroes, with nominations for this year's Manningham Civic Awards now open.
Manningham Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said following its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Awards are back for 2021.
"The Awards recognise residents who've made exceptional contributions to our community through volunteer, paid and unpaid work, in particular during the past year with the pandemic," he said.
Nominations for the Civic Awards cover five categories, including:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Sports Achiever of the Year
- Community Achievement Award.
The Awards recognises those who have shown leadership, inspiration or dedication to a cause and contributed to the wellbeing of our community.
"Over the last 12 months, we saw how our communities banded together, helping each other during restrictions and beyond," Cr Conlon said.
"Every day, many people volunteer in our local sporting clubs, community groups and other programs, making a significant difference to the lives of our community. It highlighted just how important connected communities are and how dedicated our local volunteers are to Manningham.
"This is our chance to say thank you and to celebrate their contribution".
In 2019, member of the Chinese Senior Citizens Club, Hardy Shum, won the coveted Citizen of the Year award.
"When I was nominated I was so overwhelmed," he said. "One of my greatest experiences as Citizen of the Year was showing my community that if you work hard for your community, you can achieve great things."
All applications received for the 2020 Awards will automatically be included in this year's nominations.
Nominations will close on Wednesday 15 September, and subject to COVID-19 restrictions, winners will be announced at an Award Night Gala Ceremony on Wednesday 20 October.
