People’s awards honour courageous helpers

NEWS Corp’s Pride of Australia — they are the people’s awards, honouring unsung heroes who touch our hearts and change our lives.

THEY are the people’s awards, honouring unsung heroes who touch our hearts and change our lives.

News Corp’s Pride of Australia this year marks its tenth anniversary after sharing more than 19,000 stories of inspiring and selfless contributions.

From the amazing feats of Paralympians, to tough-as-boots kidsa and tireless charity workers, more than 550 Australians have been recognised.

The Sunday Mail is urging readers to nominate people in their community for a 2014 Pride of Australia award.

News Corp Australia’s chief executive officer Julian Clarke said the awards have honoured people whose extraordinary acts of courage, dedication to helping others and commitment to what they believe in, have improved the lives of countless Australians.

“This year our metropolitan, regional and community papers will bring the inspiring stories of past and current Pride of Australia winners to our millions of readers, and appropriately recognise their significant contribution to making Australia a better place,’’ he said.

“The awards bring a spotlight to marvellous Australians who contribute so much, without any desire for personal reward or recognition.’’

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has backed the awards, saying each year they “surprise us’’ with stories of those who make Australia a better place.

“Amongst you are people who are at their best in the worst of times, some who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, some who make courageous choices in times of peril,’’ he said.

``Pride of Australia awards recognise people for the difference they make in a second, or over a lifetime, in the lives of others.’’

This is the third year that Network Ten has been Pride of Australia’s broadcast partner.

Network Ten’s chief executive officer, Hamish McLennan, said the network is “honoured to be able to bring to our viewers the inspiring, moving and life-affirming stories that will emerge from the 2014 Awards.”

Network Ten will televise the national Medal Ceremony later this year

NOVA Entertainment has also come on board Pride of Australia as radio partner to extend the reach of the program even further.

“Nova Entertainment plays such a strong role in our community, so it’s only natural we would help bring to life these inspiring community stories,” NOVA Entertainment group marketing director, Tony Thomas, said.

“We are very proud to be partnering with News Corp Australia’s Pride of Australia Awards.”