Northern Grampians Shire residents have until Friday, December 5 to nominate outstanding individuals and groups for the municipality's 2026 Australia Day Awards.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the shire was lucky to have many hardworking volunteers who were worth celebrating.
"Our annual Australia Day events on January 26 provide a wonderful opportunity to unite our community through celebration and reflection," she said.
"We are calling on our residents to nominate people or groups who deserve public recognition and thanks for all they do to make Northern Grampians Shire a fantastic place to live, work, invest and visit.
"Have a think about the people or groups who have made an impact or significant contribution throughout the past 12 months – and nominate them."
The awards categories are, for Kara Kara ward: Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group or Event of the Year; and Central and Grampians wards: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Local Hero and Community Group or Event of the Year.
Kara Kara winners will be announced at an event at Market Square, St Arnaud, which starts with a community breakfast at 8am, followed by an official ceremony at 9am.
Central and Grampians ward winners will be announced at Central Park, Stawell. The festivities will begin with a barbecue from 5pm, with the official ceremony underway at 6pm.
"If you have someone in mind you think is worthy of recognition, please nominate them ASAP," Cr Hyslop said.
People can nominate online here.
The link also contains a list of last year's winners and examples of their contributions to the community.
Hard copies of nomination forms are also available from the council's customer service centres and libraries in Stawell and St Arnaud.
"If people want to nominate but aren't sure about the process and want to talk to someone, we are happy to help," Cr Hyslop said.
