NOMINATIONS for the 2026 Ballarat Australia Day Community Awards are now open and will close on 31 October.<\/p>\n
The awards celebrate community members and groups who give their time, skills and energy to improve the lives of others.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said public acknowledgement of individuals and groups who exemplify leadership and passion to improve our communities, validates their effort and commitment.<\/p>\n
“Every community has people who quietly give their time and talents to make life better for others,” she said.<\/p>\n
“These awards are our chance to shine a light on those contributions, say thank you, and celebrate the spirit that makes our community so special.<\/p>\n
“I strongly encourage you to make a nomination. Whether your friend, neighbour, colleague, we all know someone worthy of being recognised with an Australia Day Community Award.”<\/p>\n
There are three categories in the awards: Ballarat Citizen of the Year, Ballarat Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year.<\/p>\n
The Citizen of the Year is someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community and region over a lifetime or due to a specific event or need, from education and sport to charity and arts.<\/p>\n
The Young Citizen of the Year must be 25 or under on 26 January 2026, an emerging leader who is making a real difference in the community.<\/p>\n
Events over the past year that have contributed to making Ballarat a better place to live will be considered for the Community Event of the Year Award.<\/p>\n
It will be presented to a group or person who has staged the most outstanding activity between 30 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.<\/p>\n
The awards will be announced at a presentation on 22 January 2026.<\/p>\n
For more information or to nominate an outstanding person or event, visit the Ballarat Australia Day Community Awards page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NOMINATIONS for the 2026 Ballarat Australia Day Community Awards are now open and will close on 31 October. The awards celebrate community members and groups who give their time, skills and energy to improve the lives of others. City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said public acknowledgement of individuals and groups who exemplify leadership […]<\/p>\n