November 15th, 2021Nominations open for 2022 Australia Day Awards

Each year the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Australia Day awards recognise and celebrate community members and organisations that make significant contributions to their local communities.

Nominations and applications are now open for the 2022 Australia Day Awards, and township celebration grants for community groups planning to hold free Australia Day community events. The awards provide the opportunity for Council and the community to recognise and celebrate inspirational people who make ongoing contributions to the shire.
Council has introduced three new categories of awards for 2022 – the Connected Communities Award, the Healthy People and Environment Award, and the Business and Tourism Award – which reflect the themes in Council’s new Community Vision and Council Plan, developed in collaboration with local community members via the Citizens Assembly.
Nominations are open in the following categories:
 Citizen of the Year Award – will be 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 – will be awarded to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to community life in the shire. This could be in the area of physical connections such as trails, paths, open spaces or other infrastructure that enables the community to connect and participate. It could also be social connections that ensure people have access to services and which create a sense of community and belonging.
 Healthy People and Environment Award – will be 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 – will be 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. Entry in all categories is open to people who live, work or study in the Macedon Ranges Shire at the time of nomination.
If you’re involved with a community group that is planning to hold a free Australia Day event, you can apply for an Australia Day township celebration grant of up to $500. Both award nominations and grant applications close on Sunday 28 November 2021.
For more information about the award categories, nomination forms and grant applications, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/australiaday