Bass Coast Shire Council has announced new awards to recognise the valuable contribution of our local community members.
Council met on 15 February and endorsed a plan to hold the new Bass Coast Community Awards presentation ceremony on 15 May to coincide with National Volunteer Week.
There are four categories for the Awards:
- Community Leader Award to recognise outstanding individuals who in their profession or as a volunteer lead by example, inspire others and demonstrate excellence and commitment in their field.
- Next Generation Leader Award (aged between 12 and 25 years) to recognise exceptional young people who demonstrate leadership and courage and have made an outstanding contribution to the Bass Coast Community and inspires others (group or individual).
- Community Group Award which recognises a Bass Coast community group, sports club, or not-for-profit organisation, which provides support, events, fundraising or services for the benefit of the Bass Coast community and its residents.
The Council agreed that the awards would also have a rotating award with different categories. One of the rotating Award categories would be offered for nomination in each year. The categories include:
- Environment and Sustainability Award to recognise outstanding contributions towards the protection or enhancement of Bass Coast's natural environment, advocating for climate action and for embracing sustainable living (group or individual).
- Contribution to Arts and Culture Award to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the arts and cultural life of the community or an outstanding achievement in an arts and cultural activity. This can include, but not limited to individuals, organisations, events and exhibitions.
- Sports Leadership Award to recognise the outstanding contributions throughout our sport and recreation community to ensure we all have the opportunity to participate in a happy, healthy and inclusive environment (group or individual).
The first rotating award will be Environment and Sustainability to recognise Council's strong position on the need for action through its Climate Change Action Plan.
Council voted in December last year to move the Bass Coast Community Awards from late January to May. The reasons for the move were to coincide with National Volunteer Week, plus the Council wanted to make the awards more inclusive, especially with young people, and that could be achieved by moving them away from 26 January. Citizenship Ceremonies continue on Australia Day.
"Recognising the contribution of our community is an important role for Bass Coast Shire Council,'' said Mayor Cr Michael Whelan.
"The Bass Coast Community Awards provide the opportunity for due recognition and provides an opportunity for a more inclusive celebration for our whole community,'' Cr Whelan said.
Nominations for the Awards will be called for in March-April, with judging of nominations to follow. The judging panel will include the Mayor Cr Whelan, Deputy Mayor Cr Halstead, delegated Councillor, Cr Tessari, plus a previous Community Leader and Previous Next Generation Leader.
