Nominations open for new-look Toowoomba region’s Australia Day Awards
RESIDENTS are invited to recognise the good deeds performed by fellow citizens during a trying year by nominating them for the Toowoomba Regional Council’s new-look Australia Day Awards.
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Deputy Mayor and Australia Day co-ordinating committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the events of the past year meant there were many residents across the region who deserved to be nominated for the 2021 awards.
“The Aussie spirit has been even more evident across the region in the past six months during various restrictions that were enforced to safeguard against the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
It is a sentiment that is shared by Toowoomba Hospital executive director Shirley-Anne Gardiner, who assembled and headed the Vulnerable Communities committee that co-ordinated emergency relief work at the height of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown earlier this year.
Ms Gardiner said scores of individuals and community groups were drawn in to help support people who suddenly found themselves out of work or facing reduced work hours and income when the state and federal government health directives closed or affected trade for many businesses.
“In a time of fear and uncertainty, there were residents who selflessly stepped up to help people who were dealt a crushing blow by the economic fallout of the lockdown,” she said.
Councillors voted in changes to the awards for 2021, including removing the regional awards and including an indigenous award class at every local area.
Cr McDonald said residents needed to lodge nominations by October 31 to allow local Australia Day committees time to review and judge categories in readiness for next year’s award presentations.
Cr McDonald said residents were welcome to complete the online nomination form at www.tr.qld.gov.au/australiaday.
– Award categories open for all TRC Service Centre areas include:
– Citizen of the Year (for a person older than 26)
– Citizen of the Year – (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)
– Young citizen of the Year (for a nominee under 26)
– Cultural award
– Sports award (senior and junior)
– Community group/event of the year
Inquiries about joining a committee or the awards can be directed to the council’s community development officers by calling 131 872 or sending an email to info@tr.qld.gov.au.