Nominations open for Australia Day Awards 2025

These awards are an opportunity to publicly acknowledge those who have made an extraordinary contribution or are an outstanding achiever.

Award Categories

• Citizen of the Year: Recognising those who have made a noteworthy contribution to the betterment of the Rockhampton Region and/or given outstanding service to the local community.
• Young Citizen of the Year: Recognising young people who have made a noteworthy contribution to the betterment of the Rockhampton Region and/or given outstanding service to the local community.
• Community Service Award: In recognition of individuals who have made a noteworthy contribution to the community or enhanced social interaction among the community through their involvement with community groups, charity organisations or similar.
• Arts and Culture Award: This award recognises the significant achievement and dedication by an individual or group to the arts and promotes outstanding creative work in the Rockhampton Region.
• Sportsperson of the Year: Recognising those who have an outstanding record of achievement in sport.
• Sports Official of the Year: Recognising those who have an outstanding record of achievement through their involvement within their club, organisation or committee in an executive position.
• Community Initiative/ Event: Recognising individuals, informal groups or formal organisations that have made a significant and beneficial contribution to the wellbeing or liveability of the Rockhampton Region through projects, activities or events.

Eligibility Criteria

• The nominee MUST reside within the local government boundary of Rockhampton Regional Council.
• Under exceptional circumstances consideration may be given where the nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the Rockhampton Region but reside outside the local government area.
• Nominees must be an Australian Citizen.
• Nominations for the Rockhampton Region Australia Day Awards 2025 must be received.
• Entrants in all individual categories automatically qualify for nomination to the Citizen of the Year or Young Citizen of the Year Award. Entrants may also be nominated in more than one category.
• Previous award winners may only be nominated for a different category. Citizen of the Year: Must be older than 30 years.
• Young Citizen of the Year: Must be aged between 15 years and 30 years.
• Sportsperson of the Year: Must be older than 12 years.

Ineligibility criteria

• Previous recipients of any awards will not be eligible to win that same award again.

Judging Criteria

• The judging panel will only consider unpaid service to the community. Please clearly delineate between paid and volunteer.
• Judges, at their discretion, may choose to swap a nominee into a more suitable category.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Selection Criteria

• What has the nominee done to make an outstanding contribution to the Rockhampton Region?
• Length of time the nominee has contributed to the community in their field.
• What has the nominee done to be an inspirational role model?
• Awards and achievements.
• (For Community Initiative/Event Award only)
  • How did the initiative or event contribute to the Rockhampton Region?
  • How did the initiative or event involve the community?
• Has the initiative or event left a positive legacy for the Rockhampton Region?
• (For Sportsperson of the Year Award only)
  • Please list awards and achievements
  • Length of time the nominee has dedicated to the sport.
  • What has the nominee done to be an inspirational role model?
  • How has the nominees achievements contributed to the Rockhampton Region?

Application Requirements

• Nominations are to include as much detail about the nominee as possible, as this is the only information that judges will use to assess nominations.
• Please do not send originals of supporting documentation, as all documentation will be retained by Rockhampton Regional Council.
• Nominees must be notified of your intent to nominate them for an award.
• Rockhampton Regional Council employees and their families are eligible to apply for the awards.

For more information, visit Rockhampton Regional Council.