Every community has its quiet achievers — the ones who show up, week after week, without expecting thanks. Hawkesbury City Council wants to make sure those people don’t go unrecognised, with nominations now open for the 2027 Australia Day Awards.
This year brings nine award categories, covering community groups, sportspeople, young leaders, environmental champions and more. The council has also introduced a brand-new category, Event of the Year, to celebrate the organisers behind the region’s cultural and sporting events.
For Mayor Les Sheather, the awards are a chance for the Hawkesbury to say thank you to those who pour their time into local causes, often with little recognition.
At last year’s ceremony, the council celebrated eight winners, among them Bruce Earle, recognised as Citizen of the Year for decades of work with the Freemans Reach Rural Fire Brigade and cricket club, and Bailey Carle, whose basketball achievements earned him Young Citizen of the Year.
Residents have until Sunday, 11 October 2026, to nominate someone who deserves the spotlight, with details available on the council’s website.
