Australia Day
2025 Australia Day Celebrations
On Australia Day, we reflect on our history, its highs and its lows. We respect the stories of others. And we celebrate our nation, its achievements and most of all, its people.
Nominations have officially opened for the 2025 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards.
These awards recognise the contributions and achievements of outstanding individuals and groups within the Banana Shire community. Whether it’s a local champion who inspires, a friend who works tirelessly to help others or a community group who go above and beyond, we encourage you to put their name forward.
Click the button below to nominate members of our community as a heartfelt token of appreciation for their dedication.
Award recipients will be announced at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony at the Thangool Racetrack on 26th January 2025. Watch this space for more information.
Nominations for the Banana Shire Australia Day Awards can be submitted by individuals, groups or organisations. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Nominations are submitted via the Australia Day 2025 Nominations Form. This form can be completed through the quick and easy nominations portal below. Alternatively, a paper copy can be downloaded for print or collected from any of Council’s Customer Service Centres or Libraries.
Upon submission, nominators will receive a confirmation email.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE NOMINATION FORM
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by individuals aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2025.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by young individuals aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2025.
ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by individuals within the arts and cultural sector aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2025.
YOUNG ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by young individuals within the arts and cultural sector aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2025.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Recognising the contribution and dedication of volunteers within the Banana Shire. Nominations may be for an individual of any age.
SPORTSPERSON AWARD
Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by individuals aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2025.
YOUNG SPORTSPERSON AWARD
Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by young individuals aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2025.
SPORTS COACH, OFFICIAL AND/OR ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
Recognising the contribution and leadership of individual sports coach, officials or administrators of any age.
COMMUNITY GROUP OR TEAM AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement of local community groups and teams. 50% of members must reside within the Banana Shire.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising the success of local community led, public events throughout the Banana Shire. Events must be held between November 2023 - November 2024.
The Banana Shire Australia Day Awards are assessed by a panel of community members and one or more of Banana Shire’s Councillors. The assessment panel changes each year. The assessment panel will determine award recipients based only on the information provided in the Nomination Form.
- Nominees can be entered into multiple categories in a single nomination.
- Nomination forms without a category selected will not be eligible for consideration.
- Award recipients of all categories (excluding group awards) will be automatically nominated for the Citizen of the Year Award or Young Citizen of the Year Award. Individuals can also be nominated directly into these awards.
- The nominator’s name will be associated with the nomination. If you wish to associate an organisation's name with the nomination instead, please select this option in the Nomination Form.
- Nominees must either reside in the Banana Shire or make a significant contribution to the Banana Shire Community.
- Nominees must be a person, team or event. Nominations for animals will not be accepted.
- The timeline for individual nominee’s achievements is not limited to within the previous twelve months. Achievements over a period of time may be included in the nomination.
- Council will verify all information provided with the nominee.
- Nominee consent is required before applications can progress to assessment by the panel.
Nominations: Close 8:00am Monday 25th November 2024
Australia Day Awards Ceremony: Award recipients announced 26th January 2025, Thangool