Celebrating our local heroes, and the contribution of our quiet achievers is at the heart of what makes our Shire the place we choose to live, work and play.
Council continues to recognise the efforts of our community through the facilitation of the annual Community Awards program. Over the past few years the awards categories have been refined to really localise the honours which started with the introduction of our Home-Grown Heroes Award recognising the people in our community that volunteer to ensure our Emergency Service and support groups remain active in times of need.
Our Shire’s 2025 Community Award Categories are listed below, so we encourage you to submit a nomination form because there are so many people in our community who are doing great things, leading by example, and giving the most precious gift they can give, the gift of their time and attention to others. So nominate today and celebrate someone you think is deserving in our community.
Award Categories
Citizen of the Year
Outstanding contribution or achievement by an individual over the age of 25 (on 26 January in the year of the award being given).
Nomination criteria
The winner will be an inspirational role model and display continued excellence in their field and in the community.
Assessment criteria
Demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following:
- personal, academic or professional achievements
- contribution in the relevant field
- demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
- personal interests and community involvement
- contribution to the development of the Bellingen Shire community and/or economy
- contributions being completed on a voluntary basis or exceeding the normal requirements of the nominee’s paid work.
Young Citizen of the Year
Outstanding achievement by an individual aged 25 years or younger (on 26 January in the year the award is given).
Nomination criteria
The winner will be an inspirational role model and display continued excellence in their field and in the community.
Assessment criteria
Demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following:
- personal, academic or professional achievements
- contribution in the relevant field
- demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
- personal interests and community involvement
- contribution to the development of the Bellingen Shire community and/or economy
- contributions being completed on a voluntary basis or exceeding the normal requirements of the nominee’s paid work.
Sport & Recreation Award
This award is for sporting or recreational achievements.
Nomination criteria
Outstanding achievement by an individual or group that has made a significant contribution towards the sporting or recreational achievements of the region.
Assessment criteria
Demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following:
- good practice in sport, being a positive role model in sport and recreation pursuits, innovative and inclusive programs or coaching of others
- for encouraging membership and participation
- contributing to the outstanding management or administration of sport or recreation activities
- participating in official sporting or recreational duties in a voluntary capacity
- promoting participation and the benefits
Home Grown Hero Award
Community contributions and achievement may be in any area of community life, volunteering, including sport, arts and culture, emergency services and the environment.
Nomination criteria
The winner or winners will be an inspirational role model and display continued excellence in their field and in the community.
Assessment criteria
Demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following:
- Community and/or Indigenous engagement, volunteering, skills development, innovation and knowledge sharing; while maintaining social interaction through families, neighbourhoods or organisations.
- Displayed exceptional leadership and participation within the community.
- Building community partnerships and fostering resource sharing.
- Planning for success including career development for the region’s community services sector.
- Activities which result in short and long term benefits for the community as well as promoting welfare and wellbeing:
- good practice in sport, being a positive role model in sport and recreation pursuits, innovative and inclusive programs or coaching of others
- for encouraging membership and participation
- contributing to the outstanding management or administration of sport or recreation activities
- Demonstrates resilience in the face of personal adversity
- longstanding contribution to local emergency services through a volunteer capacity
Nominations Open
You can nominate someone for our Shire’s 2025 Community Awards Awards up until Sunday 15 December 2024