Now is your chance to help recognise the outstanding contribution a community member has made in the Camden area, with nominations open for the 2021 Australia Day Awards.

The annual awards recognise the outstanding efforts of residents who dedicate themselves to making a positive difference in our community.

Applications are now open for the following five categories:

• Camden Citizen of the Year – open to Camden residents aged 18 years or over at 31 December 2020, who have made a noteworthy contribution during 2020 and/or given outstanding service to the Camden community in a non-work-related capacity over several years.;
• Young Citizen of the Year – open to Camden residents aged under 18 years as at 31 December 2020, who have given outstanding service and made a positive impact on the community in 2020 and/or longer;
• Sports Achievement Award – recognises a committed sportsperson, sporting team, coach, volunteer or official, whose actions inspire and encourage others whilst enriching the Camden community through sport, healthy living or physical activity. This category has no age restrictions;
• Community Group Award – recognises groups whose tireless work and close contact with the community encourages inclusivity and continues to make Camden an even better place to live; and
• Arts and Cultural Award – a person or group who have made an influential or valuable contribution to the city through any art form, including drama, visual art, music, verse, dance, cultural heritage, expression, literature, film and multimedia.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, encouraged residents to nominate people who have gone above and beyond for the community this year.

“If there has ever been a time where amazing members of our community have gone out of their way to make Camden a better place, 2020 is it,” she said.

“We have certainly had a really unsettling year. 2020 kicked off with the most disastrous bushfire season the world has ever seen, and some of our own community members were affected. Then we saw floods also affect communities near and far. And then, of course, COVID-19 shook things up even more.

“I know there are many people who have put the community before themselves to help wherever they can in the face of such uncertainty; such adversity.  

“I know these people generally do not look for the recognition which makes them very humble, however it is important to pay tribute to those who contribute to the lives of others. This is our chance as a collective community to say, ‘thank you’, so I urge their families, friends, parents or teachers to put their nominations in.”

The winners will be announced on Council’s Facebook page on Australia Day, Monday 26 January 2021.

For more information, including eligibility, and to nominate a local hero, visit bit.ly/australiadaynominationform