Australia Day Awards
Nominations for 2024 are now open
The City of Coffs Harbour Australia Day Awards are a celebration of the contribution that individuals, community groups and organisations make in our region.
Everyday people are encouraged to apply - you don't have to be famous! We're looking for the unsung heroes.
If you know of a person or community group who make a difference to life in the Coffs Harbour region, don't miss the opportunity to nominate them for the City of Coffs Harbour Australia Day Awards.
To nominate:
1. Review the categories and their criteria
Citizen of the Year Award
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 Coffs Coast 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 Award
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 Coffs Harbour community and/or economy
- contributions being completed on a voluntary basis or exceeding the normal requirements of the nominee’s paid work.
Sport and 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
Community Arts Award
This award is for community arts achievements.
Nomination criteria
Outstanding achievement by an individual or group that has made a significant contribution towards the the arts and culture of Coffs Harbour. The recipients are awarded for excellence in artistic fields including music, literature, community arts and cultural development, emerging and experimental art, visual arts, theatre, cross art-form, digital art, and dance.
Assessment criteria
Demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following:
- creative strength and achievement;
- strength of the candidate’s artistic goals and objectives;
- contribution to the development of arts and culture in Coffs Harbour and the candidate’s overall public impact including public engagement,
- building awareness and enthusiasm for arts in the Coffs Harbour region and more broadly.
Mayor's Community Spirit Award
Community contributions and achievement may be in any area of community life, including sport, arts and culture, 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:
- Multicultural 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
2. Fill in and submit the nomination form
Nominating is easy. You only need to provide 300-1500 words about your nominee and how they meet the category criteria, include their contact details and provide any supporting material. This could include photographs, media articles or referee names with contact details.
2024 nominations are now open