The Southern Downs Regional Council is calling on the community to nominate community members for the Australia Day Awards who have made an outstanding contribution to the region, with nominations closing at 5pm Friday 30 November.

Two of the region’s best and brightest will be named Southern Downs Citizen of the Year and Southern Downs Youth Citizen of the Year. Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said she encouraged residents to put forward community members who had made a difference to the region. “In every corner of the Southern Downs there are individuals who enrich their own communities but benefit our region as a whole,” Cr Dobie said. “If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding efforts or unique contribution make sure you nominate them. Don’t miss the opportunity to recognise those deserving individuals who proudly represent our region and who capture the community spirit of the Southern Downs.”

Community celebrations will take place across the region on Australia Day with SDRC hosting events and citizenship ceremonies in Warwick and Stanthorpe on 26 January. Cr Dobie said the Australia Day Awards format had changed to allow the opportunity for service groups to take ownership of the awards. “Killarney Lions Club has facilitated its own community awards for many years with great success,” Cr Dobie said.

Cr Dobie said in recent years there had been a decline in the number of nominations Council received. “It’s about striking the right balance between community awards and regional awards, and local services groups are best placed to recognise the local heroes in their individual communities,” she said. Australia Day Award nomination forms can be found on Council’s website or at Council’s administration centres in Warwick and Stanthorpe.

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