Australia Day Awards
The Australia Day awards are coordinated through the National Australia Day Council and administered by local councils throughout Australia. These awards are the highest honour a Council can bestow on an individual or group for outstanding contributions to their local community. Sorell Council’s Australia Day Awards are presented at a special presentation ceremony in January each year. Nominations for the Australia Day Awards usually open in October each year.
Nominations
Nomination Categories:
Citizen of the Year (to be eligible, the person must be 27 years or older on 26 January)
Young Citizen of the Year (to be eligible, the person must be not more than 27 years of age on 26 January)
Community Group of the Year
Community Event of the Year
To be eligible all individual/group nominations must be residents and/or have significant involvement within the Municipality.
Australia Day Awards - Nomination Form
Form to make a nomination in our Australia Day Awards
Elements of Australia Day Events
Citizenship Ceremony
Australian citizenship is more than just a ceremony and forms an important part of Sorell Council’s Australia Day celebrations. It symbolises our unity as a nation. It represents commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or where we have decided to make our home. Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting our diversity.
Go to www.australiaday.org or contact Council on 6269 0000 for find out more on becoming an Australian citizen on Australia Day.
Affirmation Ceremony
Affirmation ceremonies allow Australian-born citizens to affirm their loyalty to Australia and its people—engendering a feeling of belonging to their community and building pride in their citizenship. These ceremonies have no status in law and no legal effect. Participation is voluntary.
Ambassador Program
The Australia Day Ambassador Program is an initiative that sees high achieving and proud Australians attend local Australia Day celebrations in towns and cities across the nation. Australia Day Ambassadors volunteer their time and energy to inspire pride and celebration in hundreds of local communities in cities, regional areas and in the country. Council hosts an Australia Day Ambassador each year who plays a special part of our Australia Day event.
Past Award Recipients
Citizen of the Year
2025 – Ryan Jones
2024 – Lenna Boxall
2023 – Jessica Ffrost-Boyd and Craig Boyd
2022- Diane Cusick
2021 – Michelle Pears
2020 – Saakia Itchins
2019 – Graeme Evans and Emma Keating
2018 – Marsha Batchelor
2017 – Walter Croswell
2016 – Graham Hawkins
2015 – Dennis Turner
2014 – Sue Birch
2013 – Bryan Dean
2012 – Bill Fraser
2011 – Helen Rogers and Dianne Fitzpatrick
2010 – Edith Ford, Joy Gough and Gwen Reynolds
2009 – Bruce Henderson
2008 – Peter Yaxely and Lola Phillips
2007 – Bernie Hobden
2006 – Moya Sharpe and Barbara Kregor
2005 – Christine Redden and Duncan Giblin
2003 – Judy Berry
2002 – Jenny Oates
2001 – Gwen Grundy
2000 – Joyce Reardon
1999 – June Walker
1998 – Gavin Evans
1997 – Barbara Schofield
1996 – Thomas Dunbabin and Thelma Fewkes
1995 – Theo Casimaty
1994 – Patricia Cusick
1993 – Ernest Percy Daly
1992 – Helen Ling
1991 – Francis Medhurst
1990 – Elaine Downie
1989 – Stan Mead
1988 – Edward Le Rossignol
1987 – Marj Walker
1986 – Gwen Newitt
1985 – Ailsa Scurran
1984 – Don B Gatehouse
1983 – Not awarded
1982 – Not awarded
1981 – Barry Neave
Young Citizen of the Year
2025 – Sophie O’Neill and Maximillian Giuliana
2024 – Josh O’Neill
2023 – Joshua Coates and Jordon King
2022- Daniel Smith
2021 – Olivia and Madeline Lowe
2020 – Orana Bolland-Shaw
2019 – Toby Whitton
2018 – Makayla Claxton
2017 – Josh Oates
2016 – Jessica Bennetto
2015 – Ethan Reed
2014 – Beth Van De Kamp
2013 – No nominations received
2012 – Chris Beis
2011 – nominations received
2010 – Alana Bell
2009 – Olga Nelson
2008 – Scott Ryan
2007 – Sorell High School, Eating with Friends program
2006 – No nominations received.
2005 – Dodges Ferry Primary School Tournament of the Minds team
2003 – Kristy Fletcher-Jones, Olga Nelson, Renae Stewart
2002 – Nicole Earley
2001 – Matthew Green, Micheal & Robert Jack
1994 – Marissa Birch
1992 – Janelle Maroney
1991 – Eileen Aikenhead
1989 – Lyden Iles
1981 – Peter Fraser
Community Event of the Year
2025 – Sorell Relay for Life
2024 – A Taste of the South East (South East Suns
2023- Community Garden Twilight Market (Midway Point Neighbourhood House)
2022 – Sorell Community Christmas Carols (South East Salvos)
2021 – Not awarded due to Covid-19
2020 – Lantern Parade
2019 – South East Suns Women’s Football Club Truck Show
2018 – Old Mates Day
2017 – Sorell School Fair
2016 – Youth Fiesta
2015 – Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club – Surf Festival
2014 – Dunalley Winter Warmer
2013 – No nominations received
2012 – Forcett Hall Car Exhibition
2011 – Sorell Community Christmas Festival and Carols
2010 – Sorell 200 Years Celebrations
2009 – Dodges Ferry Farmers and Artisans Market
2008 – Samuel Thorne Reserve Opening
2007 – Dodges Ferry Primary School ‘can tabs for land mine victims project’
2006 – Denison Canal Centenary Celebrations
2003 – Sorell Memorial Hall 50th Birthday Dance – Jenny Oates & Doreen Goss and Sorell Market
2002 – Primrose Sands RSLA Club
Community Group of the Year
2025 – Disabled Surfers Association of Tasmania
2024 – Southern Beaches Landcare Tuesday Weeders Group
2023 – Okines Community Bike Repair Shed
2022 – Sorell Men’s Shed
2021 – Okines Community House
2020 – Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club
2019 – Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club Nippers Program
2018 – Southern Beaches Regional Arts
2017 – Historical Society of Sorell
2016 – The Causeway Club
2015 – Bream Creek Farmers Market Committee
2014 – Lions Club of Sorell
2013 – Sorell Spirit Cheerleaders
2012 – Sorell on Stage
2011 – No nominations received
2010 – Sorell Men’s Shed
2009 – Midway Point Fire Brigade
2008 – Bream Creek Show Committee