Australia Day Awards

• Award recipients will be notified in writing by the end of December 2025.
• The Hills Shire Council accepts no responsibility for entry submissions not received for any reason.
• Council’s selection of award recipients is final, and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into following judges’ decision.

1. Nominees must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.
2. Nominees must reside in The Hills Shire Council Local Government Area.
3. Entry in these awards is open to all persons or community groups who have made a contribution, that significantly benefits The Hills Shire Local Government Area.
4. All nominations must be submitted via the online form provided on this webpage. Nominations submitted through any other method will not be accepted.
5. Nominee contribution evidence must be provided.
6. Nominations must be made on the official online form.
7. Nominations may be made by an individual or organisation.
8. Community Groups can self-nominate, individuals cannot.
9. Nominees must be within the age limits on 21 January 2026.
10. Nominations must be received by 12 Noon, Wednesday 10 December 2025.
11. Nominees will be advised of the person who nominated them.
12. You can nominate more than one group or individual, but a separate form must be used for each nomination.
13. The judging committee's decision is final.

• Nominees for the award categories must be Australian Citizens.
• Nominees must reside in the Hills Shire LGA and contribute to the area in a positive way. Residing in the Hills Shire LGA means that your place of residence is within The Hills Shire and your registered electorate for all Local, State and Federal voting is within The Hills Shire LGA.
• All individual nominees will be considered for the Citizen of the Year Award.
• A referee must be supplied with the nomination, and they must be able to verify the information provided, including proof of the nominee's official place of residence.
• Unsuccessful nominations can be re-nominated in subsequent years.
• An individual or organisation can make nominations.
• Self-nominations for individual awards will not be accepted.
• Community groups are eligible for self-nomination.
• Where age is required for eligibility in a particular category, the nominee’s age is considered as of the award ceremony, Wednesday 21 January 2026.
• A person can be nominated for multiple categories if eligible, however, cannot be granted more than one individual award.
• If a member of the assessment panel is nominated, they must choose whether to forfeit their position on the panel or make their nomination redundant.
• An award does not have to be granted should the assessment panel decide that no nominee fits the criteria sufficiently.
• Councillors, staff and their immediate family are ineligible to enter.
• Panel members, Council staff and Councillors are excluded from nominating.
• Current Sitting local, state and federal politicians are not eligible nor or are they eligible within 24 months of leaving office.  Retired politicians or Councillors will only be considered for work beyond their official duties.
• No weight is given to the number of times a person is nominated.
• The judging committee’s decision is final.
• Awards will not be granted posthumously.
• No nominations will be accepted after the closing date.

For more eligibility criteria for specific awards, please read the general criteria and eligibility section on the nomination form.

• Demonstrated commitment and contribution to the betterment of the community (e.g. volunteer, act of kindness, community spirit, project).
• Evidence of lasting impact and meaningful outcomes.
• Use of innovation and creativity in their service or initiatives.
• Demonstrated positive contributions to the Hills Shire community.
• Strong leadership qualities and ability to inspire others.
• Nominees for Environmental Citizen of the Year should have made a meaningful contribution to environmental conservation or bushcare in The Hills Shire, benefitting the wider community.
• Nominees for Sporting Citizen of the Year must be actively participating in their chosen sport and have achieved a commendable accomplishment that represents or benefits The Hills Shire community. Coaches are not eligible for this category and are encouraged to be nominated for Citizen of the Year.