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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

The North Burnett Regional Council Australia Day Awards are a celebration of the contribution that individuals, community groups and organisations make across our region.

The North Burnett Australia Day Awards recognise extraordinary citizens who have contributed to serving our community and region.  The awards pay tribute to the special people in our community who continue to go above and beyond to help improve the lives of others and acknowledges their contribution and service across our diverse, friendly and strong communities. 

Their contributions could be through involvement in local clubs, sporting groups, volunteering, charity work, business, cultural or youth groups or those who take on an advocating role to speak up for their community.

If you know of a person or community group who has made a difference to life in the North Burnett, say thanks and nominate them today for a North Burnett Australia Day Award. 

Award Categories

The 2023 North Burnett Australia Day award categories are:

  • North Burnett Citizen of the Year
  • North Burnett Young Citizen of the Year
  • North Burnett Volunteer of the Year
  • North Burnett Community Organisation of the Year
  • North Burnett Cultural Award
  • North Burnett Sportsperson of the Year
  • North Burnett Service to Sport

An award for each community of Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto, Mundubbera, Mt Perry is:

  • Local Legend Award

Click here for information on each award and the selection criteria. 

nominate now!

The North Burnett region is home to many outstanding achievers, and we need your help to give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for a 2023 Australia Day Award.

The nomination process is online via SmartyGrants.  If you are unable to submit online, seek help from a friend or family member or visit one of our friendly Customer Service and Library Centres in Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto, Mundubbera or Mt Perry.

To begin your nomination, select the award category below and click on the nomination form link.

Nominations for the North Burnett Australia Day Awards open on Friday, 4 November and will close on Sunday, 11 December 2022. Recipients will be announced at our regional Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Eidsvold, on Thursday, 26 January 2023. 

north burnett citizen of the year

A person who has demonstrated vision, leadership, innovation or creativity, has been a positive role model for their peers/community/region and has shown significant and outstanding contributions to their community over a number of years.

Open to people older than 30 years of age as at 26 January in the award year. Nominees can live in any North Burnett community.

 

North burnett young citizen of the year

A young person who has demonstrated leadership, innovation or creativity, has shown outstanding achievement in their chosen field, is a role model that other young people can aspire to and has shown a significant contribution to the community. 

Open to people 30 years of age or under on the 26 January in the award year.  Nominees can live in any North Burnett community. 

 

North burnett volunteer of the year

A person who has made a significant contribution to the community through their volunteering, has gone above and beyond in their service to others and contributes to a diverse, friendly and strong community.

Open to people of all ages.  Nominees can live in any North Burnett community.

 

North burnett community organisation of the year

A group who has made an outstanding contribution to building a stronger and vibrant community, has enhanced meaningful connections and social wellbeing and is dedicated to enriching the lives of residents and visitors.

Community organisations may include North Burnett arts and cultural organisations, sporting organisations and charitable/not-for profit organisations, based in any North Burnett community.

Community groups may be nominated for a specific project undertaken in the last 12 months that demonstrates a positive impact to the North Burnett.

 

north burnett cultural award

A person or group that has shown vision, leadership, innovation or creativity and has made an outstanding contribution bringing long or short-term benefits to the arts and/or cultural community of the North Burnett.

Open to people of all ages.  Nominees can live in any North Burnett community.

north burnett sportsperson of the year

A person or team who has excelled in their sporting achievements, conducted themselves in the spirit of fair sportsmanship and has made a positive impact in their sport and community.

Open to people of all ages.  Nominees can live in any North Burnett community.

north burnett service to sport

A person who has made a significant contribution to their sporting community over a number of years, and displays inspirational leadership, energy and enthusiasm in their role as a sports administrator, coach or official.

Open to people of all ages.  Nominees can live in any North Burnett community across the region.  

    Local legend - one from each town of Biggenden, eidsvold, Gayndah, monto, mundubbera & mt perry

    A person who has made an outstanding contribution to community, are leaders amongst their peers, is a positive role model and has helped build community spirit, resilience and identity in their community.

    Open to people of all ages.  An award will be issued for each community of Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto, Mundubbera and Mt Perry.  

    nomination tips and important information

    important award information
    • Nominees must reside in the North Burnett region. In exceptional circumstances, where this is not the case, the nomination must demonstrate that a significant contribution has been made by the nominee in the North Burnett region and thoroughly articulate the nominees connection to the North Burnett community and how they are considered to be part of the community.
    • Nominees should meet or exceed majority of the criteria specific to each category
    • Nominations cannot be carried forward from previous years. A new application form is required every year.
    • Nominees are eligible to receive an award in one category only.
    • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
    • An award winner can only win the same category once in every 5 consecutive years, however, can be considered for recognition in a separate category.
      For example: They may be awarded Citizen of the Year in 2022 and can be the winner for Volunteer of the Year in 2023 but not the Citizen of the year again.
      An individual need only be nominated once to be considered. The total number of nominations received per nominee will bear no weight in the selection process.
    • The selection committee reserves the right to consider a nominee under an alternate category to which they were nominated, should the selection committee deem the nomination better aligned to an alternate category.
    • All decisions of the Committee shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into on the subject of decisions made.
    • Review the Australia Day Award Criteria and Information Sheet for guidelines and selection criteria for each award. 

     

    Nomination tips
    • Before submitting your nomination, review the Australia Day Award Criteria and Information Sheet for guidelines and selection criteria for each award.
    • Ideally you would talk to the person you are nominating, however, you may submit a nomination without their knowledge.
    • Any individual, community organisation, business, or professional body can nominate someone for an award.
    • Take time to reflect on the ways your nominee has been truly exceptional – think
      about the impact your nominee has made and how their contributions has had a valuable
      effect in the community, region and beyond.
    • Include the nominee years of service in your application.
    • Do not worry if you’re not a creative writer: using simple language will make it easy
      for the committee to understand your nomination. You can even use bullet points to tell
      your story.
    • Share as much information as you can as not all committee members will know the person and the contribution they have made.
    • Include supporting documentation with your nomination. This is not compulsory but may include personal references, portfolios, resumes, newspaper articles, etc
    • View the 2022 award winners and synopsis for inspiration

    previous award recipients

    View award winners from 2016 to 2021 here.  Please contact us on 1300 696 272 if you would like information on award recipients prior to 2016.

    2022 australia day award recipients

     Inspiring North Burnett residents were celebrated and congratulated at a regional award ceremony held in Mt Perry Saturday, 5 March 2022.

    View all winners and photos here

    View Mayor Hotz’s words of congratulation and appreciation to all nominees here.