Wollongong City Council is calling for nominations for the 2012 Australia Day Awards.
Each year, Council recognises the achievements and contributions made by our local community members through the Australia Day Awards. Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the awards are an opportunity to recognise an individual or organisation who has made a significant contribution to our city.
“We’re looking for inspirational role models; people who have demonstrated excellence in their field, had a major achievement or put something back into the community in some other way,” Cr Bradbery said.
While Australia Day may seem a long way away, now is the time to consider who you wish to nominate under the four award categories of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Cultural Award and Community Award.
“Our community has many unsung heroes, people who achieve in a range of fields, contribute to academia, excel professionally or undertake significant community work but don’t make a big fuss about it. By nominating these quiet achievers they can be given the recognition they deserve,” Cr Bradbery said.
The 2011 Citizen of the Year was David McKenna who was recognised for volunteering over 4000 hours of community service over a three year period.
The 2011 Young Citizen of the Year Award was granted to Gracia Tshibanda Ngoy, an inspirational young woman who works with SCARF in her spare time to support young people from a range of backgrounds as well as working on a double degree at the University of Wollongong.
The Cultural Award is open to people working in a wide range of creative activities including heritage, art, verse, drama and dance. The 2011 recipient of the Cultural Award, Tanya Phillips, is Orchestra Manager for the BlueScope Steel Youth Orchestra.
The Community Award is open to nominations for community groups who operate in Wollongong like Kids Fund Disability Trust, who provide care and assistance to children and family in the region and won the award in 2011.
For a nomination form visit our website or call (02) 4227 7111.