Australian of the Year nominations to close at month’s end

TIME to nominate for this year’s Australian of the Year Awards is quickly running out with only a few days remaining until entries officially close.

The National Australia Day Council is encouraging Australians to submit their last-minute nominations for the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards, as the midnight, July 31, 2024 deadline approaches.

Each year, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Australians from all over the country regardless of their background.

The main categories, Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero, are up for grabs.

Nominees can also stand to receive a state-based award in the process.

“This is an opportunity for the public to participate directly in acknowledging those who embody the nation’s values and spirit,” National Australia Day Council chief executive officer Mark Fraser said.

“One nomination can elevate a quiet achiever to national recognition.”

While the region has yet to have a winner at the annual national awards ceremony, a few have been nominated and won Victoria’s nominees in more than one of the categories.

Barwon Heads youth worker and volunteer Taya Davies was named 2020 Victorian Young Australian of the Year for coordinating high school programs to support disengaged youth around the Geelong region.

Foundation 61 Geelong founder Robert Lytzki was a nominee for the 2023 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year Award through his reformative work within his business and the creation of local addiction treatment centres, the House of Hope for Women and House of Restoration for Men.

Father Kevin Dillon, a community advocate and supporter formerly based in Geelong, was nominated in 2016 for the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year Award for speaking out and advocating for those crippled by church-related sexual abuse.

In 2013, he also established Lifeboat Geelong to provide practical and pastoral support for victims of church-related sexual and child abuse.

To make a local nomination, head to australianoftheyear.org.au to submit.