MITCHELL Shire Council’s Australia Day committee is calling for nominations ahead of the 2023 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.
The Rotary Club of Seymour will host the council’s ceremony, which recognises and celebrates the community contributions of individuals and organisations, as well as new Australian citizens.
Anyone can nominate an individual or group they believe deserves recognition for community service.
The five award categories for 2023 are: Access and Inclusion; Citizen of the Year; Young Citizen of the Year; Online or Community Event of the Year; and Community Group of the Year.
The Access and Inclusion award recognises people with or without disability working in a voluntary capacity to improve access and inclusion for people with disability in Mitchell Shire.
Citizen of the Year celebrates Mitchell Shire residents over the age of 25 who have either made a noteworthy contribution during 2022 and/or given outstanding service to the local community during several years, while Young Citizen of the Year recognises the same contributions for people aged 25 or under.
Online or Community Event of the Year is bestowed upon a community organisation or group that staged a noteworthy event in 2022, including an online event.
Community Group of the Year goes to a group that contributed exceptional service to the local community during 2022 or across several years.
Mayor Bill Chisholm said Mitchell Shire was a great place to live because of the community contributions of many unpaid volunteers.
“Rarely do our local community champions get a chance to stand in the spotlight and be thanked for the unpaid work they do that our whole society relies on,” he said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to say thanks to a group or an individual for the effort they put in to make our shire what it is.”
People should include information on how the individual or a group fits the selection criteria, their dedication or service, achievements and demonstrated excellence as part of a nomination.
Full details for each award category, including selection criteria, are online at www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/nominate.
People requiring a hard copy nomination form or assistance can call council on 5734 6200.
Nominations close at 9am on October 26.
