October 17th, 2023Community award nominations open in Macedon Ranges

Nominations are now open to recognise local people and groups and funding support is available for those planning to hold free Australia Day community events throughout the Macedon Ranges Shire.

To be held on 25 January 2024 at the Kyneton Town Hall, the shire’s 2024 Community Awards acknowledge and celebrate community members and organisations that make significant contributions to our community.

Award categories include:

• Citizen of the Year Award – awarded to an individual of any age who has made a significant contribution to their community in the past calendar year or has demonstrated community service over a period of time.
• Connecting Communities Award – awarded to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to community life in the shire. This could be physical connections such as the creation of trails, paths, open spaces or infrastructure that enables the community to connect; or social connections that ensure people have access to services and which create a sense of community and belonging.
• Healthy People and Environment Award – awarded to a group or individual who has made a significant contribution in the areas of promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages and abilities, such as supporting mental health, recreation, community safety or arts and culture. It also includes protection of the natural environment such as biodiversity, climate change and waste reduction.
• Business and Tourism Award – awarded to a group or individual who has demonstrated a significant achievement or ongoing community contribution to the economic vitality of the shire, including tourism, agribusiness, small business and local employment.

Nominations are open to people who live, work or study in the Macedon Ranges, with award winners to be announced at the 25 January ceremony, combined with an Australian Citizenship Ceremony.

Community groups can also apply for a grant of up to $1,000. The grants support community groups to hold free events or acknowledgment ceremonies to mark 26 January in a way that is respectful of all community members. Events can be hosted between 19 January – 2 February 2024.

Applications for both the Community Awards and grants close on 30 October.