The Hills Shire Council wants to hear about the quiet achievers, and it is asking locals to put their names forward for the 2027 Australia Day Awards.
Every suburb has them. The person who turns up early to set out the chairs, the volunteer who keeps showing up long after the novelty has worn off, the group that has become the glue holding a neighbourhood together.
They rarely look for attention, and that is exactly why Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, says the awards matter. She describes them as a special opportunity to shine a light on people and groups who have dedicated themselves to the Hills community, and she believes there are many inspiring stories of residents who go above and beyond to help others, build stronger local connections, and make a real difference to the Shire.
In her view, the awards formally recognise people whose efforts may otherwise go unseen. Her invitation is a simple one. Dr Byrne is asking residents to take a moment to think of someone they know who deserves to be celebrated for their service to the community, and to nominate them.
Many kinds of contributions are recognised. Citizen of the Year honours an individual’s overall service, while Environmental Citizen of the Year and Sporting Citizen of the Year recognise people who have given their energy to the local landscape and the playing fields. Young Citizen of the Year is for the next generation, with nominees needing to be aged 24 years or under as of Wednesday 20 January 2027. Community Group of the Year spotlights those who work together.
To be eligible, nominees must be Australian citizens or permanent residents who live in the Hills Shire local government area and who have contributed to the community in a positive way over the past year.
Nominating takes only a few minutes. Head to www.thehills.nsw.gov.au, search for “Australia Day Awards” and fill out the online form before 12pm on Monday 9 November 2026. Finalists will be announced in the lead-up to Australia Day 2027, which means someone in the Hills could soon be hearing, perhaps for the first time, how much they are valued.
