You know who they are. The quiet achievers, the tireless volunteers, the ones who show up for everyone else.
Now Ballina Shire residents can put their name forward, with nominations open from today for the 2027 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.
They might coach a local team, create and inspire, care for the environment, lead change, support people through tough times, or have spent years quietly giving back to their community without expecting anything in return. Some are well known. Others work quietly behind the scenes. But chances are, someone has already come to mind.
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader is urging locals to turn that thought into a nomination.
“There are so many people across Ballina Shire who give their time, energy and skills to others, often without expecting recognition in return,” Mayor Cadwallader said.
“The Australia Day Awards are our opportunity to celebrate these people and recognise the contribution they make to our community.
“A nomination is a simple but meaningful way to say, ‘we see what you do, and it matters’.”
“If someone has come to mind, don’t assume someone else will nominate them. Put their name forward and give them their moment,” she said.
Each council runs their local Australia Day awards a little differently, and Ballina is the first to announce their nominations open this year.
Nominations are open across seven categories: Young Citizen of the Year, for those 30 and under, Senior Citizen of the Year, for those 60 and over, the Volunteer Award, for an individual or group, the Sports Award, for an individual, team, coach or sports administrator, the Arts and Culture Award and Environmental Award, both open to individuals or groups, and Community Event of the Year, for an event held during 2026.
Award recipients will be announced and celebrated at the Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards ceremony on Tuesday, 26 January 2027, at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre.
Nominations close Monday, 19 October. Nominate online at ballina.nsw.gov.au/2027Awards.
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