The Upper Hunter Shire is calling for nominations for their annual Australia Day awards.
Australia Day awards recognise and celebrate those community members who have a consistent record of excellence, who have made outstanding achievements in their field, and have contributed in a significant way to the community.
Anyone can receive an Australia Day Award; they just need someone to nominate them, with nominations within the Upper Hunter Shire considered by the District Australia Day Committees.
Across the four areas of in Scone, Merriwa, Aberdeen and Murrurundi there are eight award categories that may be applicable.
Each year a number of Awards are made at Australia Day celebrations in Scone, Merriwa, Aberdeen and Murrurundi on 26 January, and all nominees are recognised for their wonderful personal achievements and contributions to our communities during the ceremonies.
Mayor of Upper Hunter Shire, Michael Johnsen, encourages everyone to reward the local community members by completing a Nomination Form and returning it to Upper Hunter Shire Council by 22 November 2013.
“We have many fine citizens, young, mature and experienced, who have improved our Upper Hunter community by their contributions,” he said.
“Some are well-known and others are quiet achievers and all make us proud to be Australian. An Australia Day Nomination enables the whole community to recognise and thank them for their hard work and commitment.”
Below is the list of award categories available:
- Citizen of the Year awarded to an individual resident (or for the Merriwa district an individual or couple) who is an inspirational role model and has made a significant contribution to the community in either a paid or unpaid capacity.
- Young Citizen of the Year awarded to a resident under the age of 25 (as at 26 January 2014) who is an inspirational role model and has made a significant contribution to the community.
- Sportstar of the Year awarded to a resident of each district (Aberdeen, Murrurundi & Scone) who is an inspirational sporting achiever in any “open-age” category of sporting activity.
- Young Sportstar of the Year awarded to a resident of each district (Aberdeen, Murrurundi & Scone) who is an inspirational sporting achiever in any age category of sporting activity (ie does not compete at open level).
- Community Group of the Year awarded to a group or team within each district that has made an outstanding beneficial contribution over the past year. This may include staging a noteworthy event in the community, an outstanding sporting achievement by a team, or enhancing community spirit and pride through providing opportunities for participation and co-operation.
- Achiever of the Year awarded to a resident/s (no more than two people) within the Merriwa district who has notably achieved in general or in a particular field. This may include sporting, community, professional or school achievements.
- Sustainability in Business awarded to a business within the Merriwa district which is an inspirational role model in demonstrating best practice. This includes agricultural, manufacturing, financial, retail and all other types of business.
- Environmental Achievement awarded to a resident/s within the Merriwa district who is an inspirational role model in protecting and enhancing the environment
Nomination Forms are available at Council Administration Offices in Scone, Merriwa and Murrurundi and Shire Libraries, or can be downloaded from the Upper Hunter Shire website.
