Nominate a worthy Aussie today

The annual call has gone out to find those special Australians who have done the region proud.

If you know somebody who stands tall through their dedicated community work, artistic or cultural activities or their accomplishments in a chosen sport, then make sure you nominate them for an Australia Day Award.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Corporate Services portfolio leader Cr John McVeigh said the Australia Day Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge those people who "made a difference" in their community.

Cr McVeigh said the Awards operated at two levels – local and regional.

"Local selection committees select each local award category winner, with the awards committee selecting the regional award winners," he said.

"As well as this, a special award is made to recognise leadership from the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community."

Nominations are now being called for a range of local and regional Australia Day awards in the following categories:

• Citizen of the Year (local and regional)
• Young Citizen of the Year (local and regional)
• Cultural Award (local)
• Sports Award (local)
• Community Group / Event of the Year (local)
• Citizen of the Year - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (regional only)

NOTE: Where applicable, nominations will be considered for both local and regional awards.

"There are many hard-working and committed individuals out there who are worthy of public recognition for their efforts," Cr McVeigh said.

"These are the people who are the unsung heroes of their local neighbourhoods. The people who give so much of themselves by volunteering their time and efforts to give back to the community. They're also the familiar faces who so willingly work behind the scenes to ensure the success of sporting, community or social events.

"Nominations close November 30, so please take the opportunity to say thanks and give a well-deserved pat on the back to these special Australians," Cr McVeigh said.

Nomination forms, judging criteria and supporting information are available from here, any council service centre, library or through the local organising committee.