Looking for Wollongong’s best

WOLLONGONG City Council is calling for nominations for the 2015 Australia Day Awards, which are announced at a special dinner on Thursday January 22 2015. There are seven awards categories for 2015, including a new category for Outstanding Achievement or Innovation.

The categories are:

• Citizen of the Year
• Senior Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Arts & Cultural Achievement
• Community Group Award (for local volunteer groups and organisations only)
• Sports Achievement
• Outstanding Achievement or Innovation

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the awards were a way to recognise those who give back to the community in which they live.

“We all know someone who goes above and beyond for their community and this is a chance to say thank you,’’ he said.

“Too often these community heroes fly beneath the radar and go about their work without thanks, and without recognition. But let’s change that and give them the applause and thanks they deserve.’’

For 2015 Council has introduced the new category of Outstanding Achievement or Innovation. This category is targeted at those who have done exceptional work in areas like science, medicine and environment.

Last year’s Wollongong Citizen of the Year was Neil Preston OAM, who was CEO of Greenacres Disability Services for 15 years and has continued to be involved in the disability sector during his retirement.

He was joined in the Australia Day honours by Senior Citizen of the Year Les Dion Senior, Young Citizens of the Year Ethan and Macinley Butson, Cultural Award winners Bill and Ann Lever, and Highly Commended award recipient Carol Herben. Need-a-Feed won the Community Award while Angela Saville won the Sports Award.

Applications close on Friday December 12, and can be made online via Council’s website, or using a nomination form available at Corrimal, Thirroul and Helensburgh libraries.

For more information you can contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111.