Who are your locals of the year?

We’re asking our community to nominate the outstanding locals who make our city a better place for the Australia Day Awards 2023.

Nominations are now open for the Australia Day Awards which recognise remarkable individuals, groups, and organisations across 11 different categories. This year the awards include two new additions, the Rising Star Award and the Environmental Achievement Award.

Wollongong City Council Acting Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said it’s important to celebrate those around us who continue to do amazing things and accomplish great achievements.

“We know there are many, many people across our city that make Wollongong a great place to be part of and we’re fortunate they call our city home. The awards are a valued tradition and is just one way we can applaud their work and commitment,” Cr Brown said.

Each individual category nomination is also automatically considered for the Citizen of the Year Award. This year the award was presented to the most decorated Australian Olympian Emma Mckeon who established her place in sporting history at the Tokyo Olympics. You can read more about our 2022 recipients in the media release: Wollongong's Australia Day winners.

“We’ve lots to celebrate and it’s reflected by our diverse categories. There’s our arts and culture industry, the sports sector, innovative works as well as diversity and inclusion and community advocacy awards. We’re also excited to extend the categories with two new additions, the Environment Achievement Award, and the Rising Star Award,” Cr Brown said.

“So, if you know a selfless volunteer, a local community group who helps you in more ways than one, or maybe a creative mind, I strongly encourage you to nominate them. This is a wonderful opportunity to congratulate them on their positive contribution to Wollongong.’’

The new Rising Star Award recognises those aged 18 years or under who are already making an outstanding contribution to the Wollongong Community.

The new Wollongong Environmental Achievement Award highlights a person or group who has influenced or made the most valuable contribution to environmental initiatives in our city. The winner of this award will also be entered into the State Awards, an initiative of the Australia Day Council of NSW in partnership with Return and Earn.

The Awards will be celebrated at an Australia Day Awards Luncheon on Friday 20 January 2023. For more information and how to forward your nominations, visit our Australia Day Awards webpage. Nominations close Monday 21 November.

Here are the Australia Day Awards categories:

• Citizen of the Year Award
• Senior Citizen of the Year Award
• Young Citizen of the Year Award
• Arts and Cultural Achievement Award
• Sports Achievement Award
• Innovation Achievement Award
• Community Group of the Year
• Diversity and Inclusion Award
• Wollongong to the World Award
• Environmental Achievement Award (NEW)
• Rising Star Award (NEW)