Kiama Municipal Council is calling for nominations to reward the individuals, groups and organisations who make a meaningful difference and contribute to our community's social fabric.
Nominations opened on Wednesday for Council's Local Government Awards for 2026 with several categories covering a wide range of community contributions.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said these annual awards are an opportunity to shine a light on people in our municipality who make a difference no matter how large or small.
"We've got such a rich tradition of supporting each other in our area and the Local Government Awards are a tremendous way to recognise the contributions of local residents, community groups and organisations who go to great lengths for others," Mayor McDonald said.
"We all know someone who dedicates seemingly endless hours of time and devotion into making our municipality an even better place to live.
"They are often very humble about their service so we often rely on other people nominating them so that they can be celebrated for their achievements."
The Awards will be presented at a function on 4 August at The Pavilion Kiama.
Nominations are now open and will close on 15 July. Further information about each award, including the selection criteria, and nomination forms can be found here.
The award categories are:
- Citizen of the Year: An individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, during the previous 12 months or over many years.
- Young Citizen of the Year: An individual aged 24 years or less who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, during the previous 12 months or over many years.
- Senior Citizen of the Year: An individual aged 65 years and over who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, during the previous 12 months or over many years.
- Community Group Award: A community group based and operating in the municipality that has made an outstanding contribution to the community, during the previous 12 months or over many years.
- Megan Dalley Memorial Award: Recognises the outstanding performance by a Council trainee, apprentice or cadet. In memory of Megan, an outstanding Kiama Council customer service trainee of tremendous ability, attitude and commitment, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2007.
- Robert East Memorial Award: Recognises the outstanding contributions made by Council's volunteers in the community. Nominees may include staff who volunteer outside their work with Council. In memory of Councillor East, who had an outstanding record of community service.
- Sports Achievement Award: Recognises the outstanding commitment or achievements of individuals that play a part in the sporting community.
- Sports Honour Roll: Celebrates the outstanding achievements of participants, coaches, teams and administrators who make important contributions to the municipality and excel in their chosen sport at an international or national level.
- Arts Honour Roll: Honours the outstanding achievements of local artists who have played an important role in cultural arts within the municipality.
- Community Inclusion Award: Recognises an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to enhance inclusion and equity of diverse cultures, First Nations, people with disability, older people, gender and sexual orientation within the municipality.
