Nominations Open for Ararat Rural City’s 2025 Australia Day Awards

Do you know someone who has made a truly significant contribution to Ararat Rural City? Someone who goes the extra mile to improve the quality of residents' lives, or exceeds expectations in making our community a better place?

The Australia Day Awards are your chance to ensure these special citizens are recognised for their outstanding efforts.

Ararat Rural City Council is now accepting nominations within four categories for the 2025 Australia Day Awards, the winners of which will be announced on Australia Day (26 January) 2025.

The four categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Community Project of the Year.

The Citizen of the Year Award recognises an individual who is making an extraordinary contribution to the community and can also recognise outstanding service over a number of years. To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen and either work or reside within Ararat Rural City.

The Young Citizen of the Year Award recognises a a young individual who has either made an outstanding contribution during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the community of Ararat Rural City over a number of years.

To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen aged over 16 years and under 35 years of age on 26 January 2025, who is an Australian Citizen and either works or resides in Ararat Rural City.

The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of those who donate their time and energy to others. It is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of citizen engagement, community pride and a positive outlook on the future needs of the community.

The Community Project of the Year Award recognises those groups coordinating engaging projects which unify and celebrate community. It is presented to an organisation which has contributed to the life of their community by staging an outstanding event within the last 12 months.

“The Australia Day Awards are such an important celebration of the individuals and groups who make our community shine,” says Ararat Rural Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison. “In honouring their outstanding contributions, we’re inspiring our young people to achieve great things while strengthening the bonds between us all.”

Submissions are open now; head to the dedicated Engage Ararat page to submit your nomination via the online form. Applications close 3 December 2024.