Australia Day
Every year, Bega Valley Shire Council celebrates Australia Day on 26 January with a morning event for its residents and visitors.
At this event we celebrate our citizen awardees, Bega Valley Medallions winners, and our newest Australians at an official Australian Citizenship Ceremony.
Australia Day is about so much more than the events of one day – it is about where we have come from, who we are as a nation and what we aspire to be. January 26 is an important date in Australia's history that has evolved over time.
On our national day we can reflect on our complete and complex history and understand that acknowledging and reconciling our past helps lay a path to a stronger future. We respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ survival, resilience and over 65,000 years of continuous culture.
It’s also a day we can pay respect to the stories, histories and contributions of the Australians who lived, worked and fought for the values and freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
It is a day that will mean different things to each of us. We are all shaped by our own experiences, and we celebrate living in a dynamic, multicultural nation where everyone’s views, beliefs and contributions are valued.
Citizens of the Year
The Citizens of the Year Awards recognise individuals whose selfless dedication enriches our community and inspires those around them.
Nominations are called each year but can be submitted at any time and held until the closing date.
- Citizen of the Year
To be eligible, the person must be 26 years or older on 26 January (in the year the award is to be presented) and be an Australian citizen who lives within the Bega Valley Shire.
- Senior Citizen of the Year
To be eligible, the person must be aged 60 or over and be an Australian citizen who lives within the Bega Valley Shire.
- Young Citizen of the Year
To be eligible, the person must be between 16 and 26 years of age on 26 January (in the year the award is to be presented) and be an Australian citizen who lives within the Bega Valley Shire.
Guidelines and Criteria
The awards recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community over the last year or over a number of years.
This contribution can be across education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and wellbeing of a community.
This is your opportunity to recognise and reward someone who inspires you. Nominate someone who makes a real difference in your community and give them the opportunity to be rewarded and recognised for their important contribution.
Who is Eligible?
- Nominees must be Australian citizens and reside in the Bega Valley Shire at the time of nomination.
- Unsuccessful nominees may be renominated in subsequent years.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Awards will not be granted posthumously.
- Sitting state and federal politicians and current vice-regal officers are not eligible. Consideration of retired politicians and officers would be for work in addition to their official duties.
- A person cannot receive a second award in the same category but can be considered for recognition in a separate category in following years. For example, Young Citizen of the Year one year and then Citizen of the Year in another year.
- Nominations will be considered by Council. Council will determine what awards are presented in any given year. Council reserves the right to withdraw an award if further information or the recipient’s conduct draws the awards into disrepute. Council will not be responsible or liable for any claims made by any person, which arises out of, or is in conjunction with, any award nominations.
Nominate here
Nominations close Friday 5 December.
Bega Valley Medallion
The Bega Valley Medallion is presented for the outstanding work of volunteers across Bega Valley Shire and recognises one of the great strengths of a community, people who are prepared to give up their own time to for the benefit of others and the community as a whole.
The Bega Valley Medallion Award requires that recipients have served within the shire for an extended period of time; preferably more than 10 years and in a number of areas and/or organisations.
However, consideration is given to those volunteers whose commitment to one organisation or group is such they would not be able to give much time to other activities (for example being on call 24 hours a day, seven day a week).
Service can be in any field, including sports, community and charitable services, health, education, arts, environment or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well-being of a community.
Nominations will be considered by Council. Council will determine what awards are presented in any given year. Council reserves the right to withdraw an award if further information or the recipient’s conduct draws the awards into disrepute. Council will not be responsible or liable for any claims made by any person, which arises out of, or is in conjunction with, any award nominations.
Nominations are called each year but can be submitted at any time and held until the closing date.
Nominate here
Nominations close Friday 5 December.