Australia Day Awards

How to Nominate

The 2025 Australia Day Award nominations are now open. The Burdekin Shire Council Australia Day Awards recognise members of our community who have made an outstanding contribution to the community for their exceptional achievement.

Members of the public are encouraged to nominate an individual or group whom they believe deserves recognition for their valuable and selfless efforts.

Conditions of Entry

Nominations must be made by completing the nomination form which can be found below.
Supporting evidence must be attached to the nomination form.
Nomination forms must be received by 5pm Wednesday, 4 December 2024.
The nominee must be an Australian Citizen and a resident of the Burdekin Shire Council area.

How Nominations will be Judged

The judging panel will consist of a committee of 3 independent judges from the community. They will make their decisions based on the criteria for each award and the information provided with the nomination form. The panel's decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decision.

How to Complete a Nomination

Nominate your candidate for any relevant award categories.
Legibly print/type your nomination.
Information can be provided in dot point format.
Provide supporting information. This should describe the nominee's outstanding service and include examples that best show their achievements and contribution.

Award Presentation

All nominees will receive a letter with advice of their nomination.
All nominees and nominators will receive an invitation to the awards ceremony.
The Mayor of Burdekin Shire Council will present the awards at the Australia Day ceremony to be held on Sunday, 26 January 2025.
All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition and award recipients will receive a framed certificate.

Nominations close 5pm Wednesday, 4 December 2024.

Information Privacy Act 2009. Burdekin Shire Council is collecting the personal information you provide on this form for the purpose of processing this application. This information will only be used by authorised Council Officers and a panel of judges selected by Council to assess the Australia Day Award nominations. Information on award winners will be published on Council's website and released to the media. This information will not be disclosed to any other third party without your consent unless required or authorised by law.

Completed nomination forms, must be returned to:

Email	commdev@burdekin.qld.gov.au
Post	PO Box 974 AYR QLD 4807
In person	Customer Service Centre 145 Young Street AYR QLD 4807

Supporting documentation may also be provided with your nomination form if you feel it will assist the judges in making their decision. Supporting documentation can include items such as personal references, photographs, samples of work, portfolios, articles etc. Please do not supply originals of supporting documentation, as all documentation will be retained by the Burdekin Shire Council.

Award recipients for 2025 will be announced at the Australia Day Celebrations to be held on Sunday, 26 January, 2025.

Australia Day Award Categories

Award Category	Criteria
Citizen of the Year Award	Outstanding achievement and leadership in the local community. Demonstrated selfless commitment, application and dedication, involvement in activities that promote the welfare and wellbeing of the community over the 2024 year period. Person must be 25 years or older on 26th January 2025.
Young Citizen of the Year Award (Under 25)	Outstanding achievement and leadership in the local community. Demonstrated selfless commitment, application and dedication, involvement in activities that promote the welfare and wellbeing of the community over the 2024 year period. Person must not be more than 25 years of age as of the 26th January 2025.
Lifetime Service Award	Significant contribution in a voluntary capacity with a minimum of 20+ years voluntary service.
Volunteer of the Year Award	Significant contribution in a voluntary capacity during the calendar year of 2024.
Community Event of the Year Award	To be eligible the person/group must be regionally based and have staged the most outstanding community event during the calendar year of 2024.
Senior Sports Award	Significant achievement and contribution in a non-professional sporting field during the calendar year of 2024.
Junior Sports Award	Significant achievement and contribution in a non-professional sporting field during the calendar year of 2024. Person must not be more than 18 years of age as of the 26th January 2025.
Senior Cultural Award	Significant achievement and contribution in the field of the arts and/or involvement with an organisation that enhances the development of the arts, culture and entertainment during the calendar year of 2024.
Junior Cultural Award	Significant achievement and contribution in the field of the arts and/or involvement with an organisation that enhances the development of the arts, culture and entertainment during the calendar year of 2024. Person must not be more than 18 years of age as of the 26th January 2025.
Environment Award	Significant achievement and contribution in the field of environment.

Eligibility in Categories

All nominees must be a resident of the Burdekin Shire at the time of nomination.

Judging Process

Nominations will be reviewed by the appointed judging panel. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Enquiries

Please contact Community Development by phone or email us using the Contact Us button in the Contact Community Development section below.

View our Current and Past Award Recipients here

Nomination Form

Contact Community Development

Please contact the Community Development team for further information on (07) 4783 9800 or by clicking on the "Contact Us" button below. Our normal office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.