Do you know someone who makes your community better?
South Australia’s Citizen of the Year Awards, presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia are the perfect way to recognise and sing the praises of the heroes who contribute to the well-being, innovation and progress of our communities.
Celebrating Community Heroes
These awards are the perfect way to applaud the individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to serve their communities in all sorts of ways including education, health, fundraising, charity work, business, sports, arts, environmental conservation, and more. All of their selfless contributions help make South Australia a better place.
The Citizen of the Year Awards features several categories to recognise different aspects of community service.
Citizen of the Year is presented to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities over the years.
Young Citizen of the Year is awarded to emerging young leaders who are making a significant impact on their communities.
Community Event of the Year recognises the outstanding event organisers who bring communities together through memorable events.
Award for Active Citizenship acknowledges individuals or groups that have delivered exceptional work for their communities in the past year.
Nominate an unsung hero from your community
Each local council in South Australia needs YOU to nominate your community’s unsung heroes. The award winners are typically announced during the council’s Australia Day celebrations and nominating someone who positively impacts your community can provide them with the recognition they deserve.
Following the local awards, councils can choose to forward the details of their award winners to the Australia Day Council of South Australia for consideration in the State Awards, which is presented by the Governor of South Australia.
Nominations are open throughout the year, but the deadline for 2024 Citizen of the Year nominations is November 17, so don’t miss your chance to recognise the remarkable people in your community.
There’s no doubt that Regional SA produces some of the most passionate, community-minded people in the country. The dedication of those who go above and beyond is how rural communities stay alive, stay viable and remain incredible places to live.
Looking back on last year’s State Winners, it showcased some of our regional heroes and events including 2023 South Australia’s Young Citizen of the Year, Hannah Allen-Jordan from Tumby Bay. At just 21 years old she became the youngest person to be elected to an Eyre Peninsula Council. Her tireless dedication to her community includes active involvement in various committees and associations, such as the Progress Association and the Tumby Bay Netball Club.
Yankalilla’s Evette Wolf, who founded the Yankalilla Youth Theatre in 2020 received the 2023 Award for South Australia’s Active Citizenship. During this time she facilitated eight youth performances, showcasing her unwavering commitment to youth theatre even during challenging times like the COVID pandemic.
Regional SA sure knows how to throw an event and a well-deserved Commendation Award for South Australia’s Community Event of the Year for 2023 was awarded to Renmark Rowing Club‘s “The Wharf to Woolshed Long Row” connecting rowers from all over South Australia and interstate which grew from 40 participants in its first year to 148 participants in 2022.
Nominate Someone Today
These stories of past winners serve as a reminder that South Australia is brimming with amazing individuals and organisations dedicated to making our communities better. If you know someone who fits the bill, nominate them now for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Awards. It’s a simple yet impactful way to acknowledge the unsung heroes who shape our communities for the better.
To nominate someone in your town, click here and give these extraordinary community contributors the recognition they truly deserve.
