2026 Citizen of the Year Awards

Do you know someone who makes your community a better place?

The Australia Day community recognition awards are for individuals and organisations that have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year, and/or give an outstanding service over a number of years, to a local community over and above normal employment duties. The Awards are proudly presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia and administered by local councils.

Outstanding contributions and community service include areas such as; 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.

Citizen of the Year Award

To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen and has to have made a significant contribution during the previous year, or given outstanding service to the Holdfast Bay community over a number of years.

Young Citizen of the Year Award

To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen, at least 16 years of age, and must be 30 years of age or less, have made a significant contribution during the previous year, or have given outstanding service to the Holdfast Bay community over a number of years.

Community Event of the Year Award

The Community Event of the Year Award is presented to the person or group who has staged the most outstanding or beneficial local community event during the past year.

Award for Active Citizenship

The Award for Active Citizenship is presented to a person or group who has delivered outstanding work for an event or cause staged in the community during the past year.

These awards will be presented to the recipients at a public ceremony on Australia Day at Glenelg.

Nominations are now open via this link

Citizen of the Year - Fran Lovell, volunteer at Historic Kingston House

Young Citizen of the Year - Liam McBean, Glenelg Football Club’s 2024 Premiership Captain

Community Event of the Year award - Brighton Jetty Classic event, represented by Nick Corbett, Brent Bunting and Julia Church from the Brighton Jetty Classic committee

Active Citizenship Award - Frank White, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Somerton Park; Beau Warren, a passionate community gardener from the North Brighton Community Garden and Andrea Bodey, a volunteer with the Brighton Jetty Sculptures committee