Australia Day Awards

• Award recipients will be notified in writing by the end of December 2024.
• 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. 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.
3. Nominee contribution evidence must be provided.
4. Nominations must be made on the official online form.
5. Nominations may be made by an individual or organisation.
6. Community Groups can self-nominate, individuals cannot.
7. Nominees must be within the age limits on 15 January 2025.
8. Nominations must be received by 12 Noon Thursday 19 December 2024.
9. Nominees will be advised of the person who nominated them.
10. You can nominate more than one group or individual, but a separate form must be used for each nomination.
11. The judging committee's decision is final.

• Nominees for the award categories must be Australian Citizens, 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 reference 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.
• Where age is required for eligibility in a particular category, the nominee’s age is considered as of the award ceremony, Wednesday 15 January 2025.
• A person can be nominated for multiple categories if eligible, however, cannot be granted more than one 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).
• Shows vision and leadership.
• Special achievements.
• 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.