Community Citizen of the Year Awards

Each year three local citizens and one local community group in each local government area will be eligible for the Community Citizen of the Year Awards. The recipients will be selected from people and groups who have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years through active involvement.

Auspire provides four awards each year for presentation in each local government area. These prestigious awards are provided to your local government for presentation during Australia Day celebrations.

The winners will have been judged to have shown community engagement:

• Significant contribution to the local community

• Demonstrated leadership on a community issue resulting in the enhancement of community life

• A significant initiative which has brought about positive change and added value to community life

• Inspiring qualities as a role model for the community.

To be selected as an Award recipient, nominees must first meet the outlined Awards selection criteria. Regard is given to their achievements in the year immediately prior to the receipt of the Awards, as well as their past achievements and ongoing contribution to their community.

Award finalists and recipients are selected based on the above selection criteria. One nomination is all it takes – multiple nominations will not necessarily strengthen an individual’s chances of selection.

Those participating in the short-listing process and selection panel members may also take into consideration the following when assessing and comparing nominations:

• Personal, academic and professional achievements

• Contribution in the relevant field (how has this person ‘put back’ into their field to benefit others)

• Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity

• Personal interests and community involvement

• Contribution to the local community

• Contribution to development of regional community and/or economy

• Future goals and likely impact

• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made

• Previous awards and recognition

• Voluntary work beyond paid employment

• Nature and length of activity and service

• Achievements as an individual or as part of a group or organisation

• Whether the work of the individual is dividing in opinion or unifying the community

• A person must first be nominated to be considered for the Awards

• Nominees should reside or work principally within the local authority making the award

• Awards may be granted posthumously in recognition of recent achievements

• Groups of people will not normally be eligible except when meeting the criteria for a community group

• A couple may be recognized in an individual category

• A person may receive an award on more than one occasion in recognition of their particularly outstanding community contribution or involvement in an alternative initiative

• Self-nominations are not accepted

• Individuals must be at least 16 years of age on 26 January, though younger nominees may be considered for exceptional contribution

• Unsuccessful nominees may be nominated in future years

• Sitting members of State, Federal and Local Government are not eligible

• Nominations must be apolitical in their nature

• Nominees should not in any way bring the awards program or local government area into disrepute*