Nominations for the 2027 Bellingen Shire Council Community Awards will open on Monday, 28 September, with eight categories recognising people, groups and businesses making a difference across the shire.
The annual awards celebrate community members who contribute their time, energy and skills to supporting the Bellingen Shire.
This year, the Ian J Cooper Access and Inclusion Award will join the annual Community Awards program.
Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan said the award was previously presented every two years to coincide with International Day of People with Disability.
“The award honours Ian J Cooper, a local pioneer in disability access advocacy and founding member of the Bellingen Shire Access Committee, whose legacy continues through the work of people and organisations helping to create a more accessible and inclusive Shire,” said Allan.
“The move to bring the Ian J Cooper Award to a wider audience as part of the annual awards event elevates its importance and increases inclusion with a focus on celebrating the achievements and contributions of people and organisations creating positive change for people living with disability.”
The Ian J Cooper Access and Inclusion Award recognises people and organisations working to make Bellingen Shire more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people living with disability.
That can include work involving inclusive programs, accessibility improvements, advocacy, innovation or efforts to remove barriers.
The seven other award categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sport and Recreation, Arts and Culture, Environment and Sustainability, Community Impact Business and Home Grown Heroes.
The Citizen of the Year Award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the community, while the Young Citizen of the Year Award celebrates people aged under 25 for achievements including leadership, creativity and community service.
The Sport and Recreation Award recognises individuals and teams contributing to sport, dance and other recreational activities, including those working behind the scenes.
The Arts and Culture Award celebrates individuals and groups contributing to art, music, performance, literature and heritage across the shire.
The Environment and Sustainability Award recognises people and groups working in areas including conservation, sustainable practices, education and environmental advocacy.
Local businesses creating positive social, cultural, economic or environmental outcomes can be nominated for the Community Impact Business Award.
The Home Grown Heroes Award recognises individuals and community groups contributing through areas such as volunteering, emergency services and community support.
Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 2 November.
The awards night will be held at Bellingen Memorial Hall on Thursday, 28 January 2027, bringing together nominees and community members to celebrate their contributions to the region.
Nominations can be submitted through the Bellingen Shire Council website, while tickets for the awards night are also available online.
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