Australia Day Awards

Citizen of the Year
This award recognises a significant personal contribution to the Willoughby community by a person who lives and/or works in Willoughby, and contributes significantly to the betterment of the Willoughby community.  This award is open to a person who is outstanding in the field of community services, including welfare, volunteer work, charity, the arts or sports.

Young Citizen of the Year
This award recognises a young person who has demonstrated significant achievement in any field, including academic, sports, arts or business. Those eligible for this award must be under 25 years old on January 26, 2025, and live, work or attend school in Willoughby, or be involved in a local organisation.

Environmental Citizen of The Year
The Environmental award recognises outstanding efforts by individuals or organisations to preserve the environment, reduce litter and improve recycling, or use the Return and Earn scheme in an innovative way to fundraise for a meaningful cause. 

Eligibility

• Nominees must be an Australian Citizen. 
• Live, work or attend school in Willoughby, or be part of a local organisation.
• Consideration of retired politicians and officers for work in addition to their official duties only. Sitting State and Federal politicians and current Vice-regal officers are not eligible.
• No self-nomination will be accepted.
• Willoughby City Council staff and Councillors are allowed to nominate if they are not part of the assessment process.
• Only one nominee, or joint nominees, will be accepted from each organisation or group who wishes to nominate.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The judging panel reserves the right to withdraw an award if further information or the recipient’s conduct draws the Awards into disrepute.
• All nominees will be considered for the Citizen of the Year Award. 

Documents required

• High resolution photographs of the nominee.  
• Relevant supporting material, including references and media articles of nominee.

Assessment

• The benefit to the community from the nominee’s service or contribution.
• Whether the nominee has had to overcome any particular difficulties or hurdles.
• Whether the nominee worked as part of a team and their role within the team.
• Other outstanding achievements by the nominee.
• Other recognition of the nominee’s contribution or work.
• Whether the nominee has had assistance from Council, government or other organisations.