Do you know someone who is worthy of recognition? Now is your chance to nominate them for the Australian of the Year award.
Do you know an Australian who you think is worthy of admiration? Perhaps, someone who has made a real difference in your community, to your life or to the lives of others? If you do, now could be the time to give them the attention and appreciation they deserve.
The 2016 Australian of the Year awards are now open for nominations, and the National Australia Day Council is asking for your help in unearthing Australia’s unsung heroes.
The Awards, which have four categories, Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (65 years and over), Young Australian of the Year (16 – 30 years) and Australia’s Local Hero, are open to any Australian citizen for any deed or impact that they might have had.
“Nominating is as simple as providing the name of someone you would like to see recognised and why they should be considered for the Awards,” said National Australia Day Council Chairman, Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, “By submitting a nomination for someone you find inspiring and worthy of our attention, you can help recognise Australians doing great things in the community locally, nationally and globally.”
For some, nominating themselves for such an award might not have even crossed their minds, but that doesn’t mean they don’t warrant the opportunity, as well.
“Nominating is as simple as providing the name of someone you would like to see recognised and why they should be considered for the Awards,” said National Australia Day Council Chairman, Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, “By submitting a nomination for someone you find inspiring and worthy of our attention, you can help recognise Australians doing great things in the community locally, nationally and globally.”
For some, nominating themselves for such an award might not have even crossed their minds, but that doesn’t mean they don’t warrant the opportunity, as well.
“When I was told I had been nominated for the Australian of the Year Awards I was very surprised and a little embarrassed, but it also gave me a lot of strength because I realised the nomination was a show of support,” said the 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, who won for her work in domestic violence, “Nominating me was really about showing support for the issue I represented – someone wanted to bring attention to the message I was communicating and to the issue of family violence. That nomination has been a powerful thing – it has helped bring about change and I’m so grateful for that support.”
The woman who nominated Rosie, Christine Evans, says that the ability to nominate others for the award is a huge benefit.
Australian of the Year Awards
Each year the Australian of the Year Awards sees our nation celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding Australians who are leaders and role models for us all.
The awards provide all Australians with the opportunity to recognise someone who makes them proud.
Being nominated for an Australian of the Year Awards is a great honour. Each year 128 remarkable Australians from across the nation are recognised as nominees across four award categories.
Award Categories
- Australian of the Year – celebrates the achievement and contribution of Australian citizens who are role models for us all.
- Senior Australian of the Year – recognises Australians aged 65+ who continue to achieve and make a difference.
- Young Australian of the Year – celebrates inspiring 16 -30 year olds who have accomplished great things in all walks of life.
- Australia’s Local Hero – acknowledges people making a difference in their local community.
The awards operate on two levels, the state/territory awards and the national awards.
Four finalists are selected from each award category by the state and territory selection panels and one of the finalists becomes the state/territory award recipient.
The finalists will than become national finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards which are announced on the eve of Australia Day 2016.
Key dates:
- Nominations open: June 2015.
- Nominations close: 3 August 2015.
- State and territory award recipients announced: November 2015.
- Australian of the Year Awards announced: 24 January 2016.
Nominate
One nomination is all it takes to recognise and shine a light on an Australian you admire.
You can nominate a friend, a family member, a community leader, colleague or even someone you don’t know. Any Australian who you admire and who is worthy of attention can be nominated.
Submit your nomination for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero online at the Australian of the Year Awards website or download the nomination form at the website.
More information: Australian of the Year Awards: call 1300 655 193 or email awardsinfo@australiaday.org.au.
