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Whittlesea Community Awards

The inaugural Whittlesea Community Awards will recognise the outstanding service of residents who have made a valuable contribution to our community.

2021 Community Awards

The City of Whittlesea Community Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by members of our community.

Anyone can nominate an individual they believe deserves recognition for their valuable and selfless service to the community.

The Awards celebrate the voluntary or above-and-beyond contributions of nominees who live, work, volunteer or study in the City of Whittlesea.

We encourage nominations for individuals who reflect the diversity of our community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ* people, people with disabilities and carers and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Nominations are open from 9 August until 12 noon on 1 October 2021.

There are five categories: 

The Citizen of the Year will be awarded to an individual who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.  The Award is open to all ages.

Nominations will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
  • Is a positive role model for others
  • Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
  • Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

The Young Citizen of the Year will be awarded to an individual, aged between 14 and 25 years old as of 4 May 2021, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations will be assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

  • Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
  • Is a positive role model for others
  • Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
  • Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

The Senior Citizen of the Year will be awarded to an individual, aged 60 years or older as of 4 May 2021, who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations will be assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

  • Demonstrates values that reflect the City of Whittlesea vision of being ‘A Place for All’
  • Is a positive role model for others
  • Shows leadership and vision for the future of the community
  • Undertakes activities that promote a connected community

The Access and Inclusion Citizen of the Year will be awarded to an individual who has made an important contribution or given outstanding service to the community by including others whose access to participation is restricted due to physical, social or other challenges.

The Award is open to all ages and will consider the contribution of nominees during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations will be assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following:  

  • Takes action to improve opportunities for everyone to participate fully
  • Raises awareness and advocates for our community to be more inclusive
  • Growing opportunities for those restricted due to physical, social or other challenges to participate achieving positive outcomes that increase participation for residents where participation
  • decreasing discrimination for residents

The Sustainable Environment Citizen or Group of the Year will be awarded to an individual or group that has actively responded to and engaged others in an environmental issue impacting the City of Whittlesea.

The Award is open to all ages and will consider the contribution of nominees during the past 12-months or over a number of years.

Nominations will be assessed on whether the nominee demonstrates any or all of the following: 

  • Demonstrating stewardship of our valued natural landscapes and biodiversity
  • Promoting climate readiness and resilience
  • Showing leadership in sustainable living initiatives

How to nominate

You can nominate yourself or someone you know for a Whittlesea Community Award by either completing the online nomination form or by downloading the hard-copy form and submitting it in person at the Council offices, by email or mail.

  • Submit your form in person to the Council offices (pending COVID-19 restrictions) at 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.
  • Email your completed form to info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
  • Mail your completed form to City of Whittlesea Committee Awards Committee at Locked Bag 1, Bundoora MDC 3083

Download nomination form

Assistance to make a nomination

Nominations for the Whittlesea Community Awards need to be written in English unless this prevents you from participating.  If you are unable to provide your nomination in writing or in English and would like to make alternate arrangements, please contact the Council’s Governance Team on 9217 2294 to discuss how we can help. 

If you do not speak English, Council offers various language services including VITS and LanguageLinks.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment you may use the National Relay Service. 

Terms and conditions

Entries for the 2021 Whittlesea Community Awards are open from Monday 9 August 2021 and close at 12 noon on Friday 1 October 2021. Entries must be received on or before the closing time.

Recipients will be decided by the City of Whittlesea Committee.

The Awards Committee decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into relating to the decision.

Nominees, nominators or referees may be contacted for further information by City of Whittlesea staff.

Individuals may be nominated for more than one category; however, each individual can only be nominated once per category.

Individuals or groups that are nominated for a Whittlesea Community Award may be considered for a category other than the one they are nominated in.

All enquiries and award nomination material will remain confidential (with the exception of nominee’s names and whose nomination material will be used in the award ceremony) unless the City of Whittlesea obtains express permission for use.

Whittlesea Community Award Committee Members

  • Peita Duncan - City of Whittlesea Administrator
  • Mahendra Sukhdeo – former Australia Day Awards Committee member
  • Jenny Nicholls – former Australia Day Awards Committee member
  • Matthew Bui – former Australia Day Awards Committee member
  • Raymond Rosales - recipient of the 2020 Senior Citizen of the Year Award 
  • Vivian Ly – recipient of the 2020 Young Citizen of the Year Award
  • Dalal Sleiman – recipient of the 2020 Access and Inclusion Citizen of the Year Award