Council is making some changes to its annual awards program that recognises and celebrates exceptional contributions in our diverse community.
Knox Mayor Marcia Timmers-Leitch said a downward trend in the number of nominations and awards presented in recent years has prompted Council to rethink the awards.
"The Knox Australia Day Awards have recognised outstanding citizens since 1994. In recent years the number of nominations has been disappointingly low.
"While the quality of nominations has been excellent, the number of nominations is not reflective of the enormous contribution that volunteers make across the Knox community.
"We're hoping by changing the timing of the awards, so that the nomination period doesn't coincide with summer holidays, we will increase participation.
"We're also considering what changes we might need to make to the format of the awards.
"The decision to move the awards was not a comment or reflection of how Council does or should acknowledge Australia Day more broadly. However, we do recognise that for some people in our community Australia Day is not a day of celebration.
"Civic awards are an important way for our community to value and appreciate those who make a positive difference in Knox. They honour the important work volunteers do in preserving our environment, supporting those in need and helping important causes," Cr Timmers-Leitch said.
Earlier this year Council sought community feedback on the awards program over five weeks. This was promoted on our website, Have Your Say platform, Facebook, eNewsletter and an email sent directly to 250 community groups. Only 19 responses were received. The low response along with the declining number of nominations indicates that the current timing and format of the awards is not resonating with the Knox community.
A further report will be presented to Council to determine a new awards format to be held later in 2024 that will provide a more meaningful platform to recognise exceptional contributions that enrich our community.
