Each year on Australia Day, the Citizen of the Year Awards give local government around the state the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution and celebrate the active citizenship of Western Australians at a local community level.

The Australia Day WA, Community Citizen of the Year Awards are presented by Local Government within local communities across Western Australia on Australia Day. The Patron of the Community Citizen of the Year Awards is His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM Governor of Western Australia.

The Awards reward and recognise individuals and organisations making a notable contribution during the current year, and/or to those who have given outstanding service over a number of years.

Outstanding contribution and community service includes areas such as; education, health, fund-raising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, social inclusion or any other area that contributes to the advancement and wellbeing of a community.

There are four categories:

• Community Citizen of the Year
• Community Citizen of the Year (Youth)
• Community Citizen of the Year (Senior)
• Active Citizenship (Group or Event)

Eligibility Criteria: 

• A person must be nominated by another person to be considered for an Award. Self-nominations are not accepted. 
• One nomination is sufficient; multiple nominations should not necessarily strengthen an individual’s chances of selection. 
• Individuals can be recognised in one category only, so if they cross over multiple categories, a decision needs to be made which category they will be awarded in. 
• Nominees should reside or work principally within the local government authority presenting the award. 
• Awards may be granted posthumously in recognition of recent achievements. 
• Groups of people will not normally be eligible except when meeting the criteria for a community group. 
• A couple or partnership with equal standing for the achievement/contribution may be recognised in an individual category. 
• A person may receive an award more than once in recognition of outstanding continued community contribution or involvement in a different initiative. 
• Individuals must be at least 16 years of age on 26 January, though younger nominees may be considered for exceptional contribution. Definition of exceptional contribution is at the discretion of the local government/council selection committee. 
• Unsuccessful nominees/finalists may be nominated in future years. 
• Sitting members of State, Federal, and Local Government are not eligible. 
• Nominations must be apolitical in their nature. 

• Phone: (08) 9325 9988
• Email: coty@ausdaywa.com.au
• Website: www.ausdaywa.com.au/