

Australia Day Awards
2021 Australia Day Award nominations
Every year, City of Gold Coast recognises community members and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the Gold Coast for exceptional achievement, by presenting the City of Gold Coast Australia Day Awards.
Find out more about each award below.
Gold Coast Citizen of the Year - aged 26 years or over as at 26 January 2021
Recognises outstanding members of the community for their personal endeavours, achievements and community input.
Consider the following when nominating:
- How has the nominee made an outstanding contribution to the local community?
- What personal goals and objectives has the nominee achieved?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model for the community?
- What degree of sacrifice or difficulty has the nominee experienced in their pursuits?
Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year - aged under 26 years as at 26 January 2021
Recognises young citizens for their personal endeavours, achievements and community input.
Consider the following when nominating:
- How has the nominee made an outstanding contribution to the local community?
- What personal goals and objectives has the nominee achieved?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model for the community?
- What degree of sacrifice or difficulty has the nominee experienced in their pursuits?
Community Service Award
Recognises individuals or groups who have provided outstanding service to the community.
Consider the following when nominating:
- What community work has the nominee undertaken and how has this work contributed to the development of the community?
- What degree of sacrifice or difficulty has the nominee experienced in their pursuits?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- Give examples of acts of kindness, generosity or other contribution undertaken by the nominee for the betterment of the community or a particular person or group.
Sports Achievement Award
Recognises the committed sportsperson, coach, administrator or official whose actions inspire and encourage others and enrich the community through sport.
Consider the following when nominating:
- What personal goals, objectives or achievements has the nominee fulfilled?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model?
- How has the nominee made a special contribution to the community?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- How does the nominee display the qualities of sportsmanship and a sense of fair play?
Environmental Achievement Award
Recognises individuals or groups who demonstrate genuine passion for the environment and strive to improve it through conservation, preservation, protection, replenishment and education.
Consider the following when nominating:
- How has the nominee made an outstanding contribution to the environment?
- What degree of sacrifice or difficulty has the nominee experienced in their pursuits?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model?
Cultural Achievement Award
Recognises individuals or groups involved in the city’s rich cultural and arts community.
Consider the following when nominating:
- How has the nominee made an outstanding contribution to the cultural or arts community?
- What degree of sacrifice or difficulty has been experienced by the nominee in their pursuits?
- Has the work been undertaken on a volunteer or paid basis?
- How is the nominee an inspirational role model?
General conditions of entry
General conditions of entry are as follows:
- Nominees must be a resident of the Gold Coast at the time of nomination.
- Nominees can only be nominated in one category.
- Nominations will not be accepted if the individual or group has been nominated for an award the previous year.
- Recipients of awards are ineligible to receive the same award within a five year period.
- All nominations must have two nominators and include a summary of 500 words maximum about the nominee.
- All documentation will be retained by the City of Gold Coast.
- Contact details of nominators may be forwarded to local media.
- Citizen of the Year nominees must be aged 26 years or older as at 26 January 2021.
- Young Citizen of the Year nominees must be aged 16–25 years as at 26 January 2021.
How to nominate
Complete our online form to nominate a deserving Gold Coaster for the 2021 Australia Day Awards.
Nominations closed Friday 13 November 2020.
Announcing the winners
Winners of the 2021 Australia Day Awards will be announced in January 2021.
Further information
For any enquiries regarding the City of Gold Coast Australia Day Awards, please contact the City Events team on 07 5581 5286.
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