Australia Day Awards

History

On Australia Day, we come together as a nation to celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian.  It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation.  It’s the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future. At its core, Australia Day is a day driven by communities, and the celebrations held in each town, suburb or city – unified by the celebration of what’s great about Australia and being Australian.

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.

Aside from the presentation of the Australia Day awards, other elements of the special event include:

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. Sorell Council hosts an Australia Day Ambassador each year who plays a special part of our Australia Day event.