Nominations for the 2025 Mareeba Shire Australia Day Awards are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry.
Mareeba Shire Council holds the annual Australia Day Awards to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals, groups and events in the region. These prestigious awards are presented at a ceremony that coincides with Council’s Australia Day event and Citizenship Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, 26 January 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- All nominees must be residents of the Mareeba Shire Council local government area.
- The nominee’s achievements must be in a volunteer capacity, not a part of their employment.
- Entries must include a Nomination Form, accompanied with a statement of achievement (300-500 words) explaining why the individual, group or event should be considered for an Australia Day Award.
- Every nomination must be supported by two referees.
- Incomplete Nomination Forms will not be considered.
- More than one category can be selected for a nominee.
- Junior categories: individual must be aged 21 years or under on 26 January 2025.
Award Categories
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Community Service Award (Open Age – Individual or Group)
- Environmental Achievement Award (Open Age – Individual or Group)
- Arts and Cultural Award (Individual or Group)
- Junior Arts and Cultural Award (Individual or Group)
- Community Organisation of the Year
- Community Event of the Year
Selection Criteria
The Mareeba Shire Australia Day Awards recognise individuals, groups and events that contribute to the community. Consideration is given to those who are inspirational role models and have demonstrated excellence through volunteering, academics, sports, creative and cultural pursuits, and the environment.
Please consider the following information to include in a nomination.
- How has the nominee made an outstanding contribution to the local community?
- What is the length of service or participation by the nominee?
- Positions held/activities undertaken?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model for the community?
- What challenges has the nominee experienced or overcome in their pursuits?
- What personal goals and objectives has the nominee achieved?
- Outline previous awards or recognition of achievement.
- How has the event made a significant contribution to the community including cultural, social and economic benefits?
- Why do you feel passionate about nominating this person?
Selection Process
Once the nomination period closes, the applications are checked to ensure that they are eligible. The nominees will be contacted to check if they accept the nomination, and the referee consultation will take place.
The Judging Panel will consist of Mayor Angela Toppin and two independent citizens in the community. They will make their decisions based on merit for each award and the information provided with the Nomination Form. Please ensure that there is sufficient information in the application for the panel to be able to make an informed decision.
If the Panel agrees that a nomination would be better suited to an alternative category, the panel may move the nomination to a different category. The Panel may also consider presenting highly commended awards in any category.
The panel’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into about the decision.
Nominating
A nomination can be completed online or a Nomination Form can be obtained online or printed at a Customer Service Office or Library. Entries must include a Nomination Form, accompanied with a statement of achievement (300-500 words) explaining why the individual, group or event should be considered for an Australia Day Award.
Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm Tuesday, 3 December 2024 and can be submitted:
- Online
- emailed to info@msc.qld.gov.au
- posted to PO Box 154, Mareeba QLD 4880
- in person at a customer service centre, 65 Rankin St Mareeba or 18-22 Arara St Kuranda
Award Presentation
Winners will be announced at Mareeba Shire Council’s Australia Day event on Sunday, 26 January 2025 at Cedric Davies Hub, 43 Anzac Avenue, Mareeba.