Australia Day Awards

Douglas Shire residents and community groups are encouraged to nominate a dedicated citizen deserving of recognition for the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

Nominations open on soon for the eight award categories celebrating those locals who go above and beyond for the community.

Nominations close Friday 17 November 2023.

The eight award categories for 2024 are:

1. Citizen of the Year recognises outstanding members of the community for their personal endeavours, achievements and community involvement;
2. Young Citizen of the Year recognises young citizens aged 25 years or under (on 26 January 2024) for their personal endeavours, achievements and community involvement;
3. Senior Citizen of the Year (over 65 years of age as of 26 January 2024) recognising senior citizens for their personal endeavours, achievements, and community involvement, or given outstanding service to the local community.
4. Volunteer of the Year recognises members of the community of any age making significant and lasting contributions to the social, recreational, environmental and economic quality of life in the community through their endeavours on behalf of individuals, organisations, charities, service groups, clubs, churches, sporting groups, health or youth.
5. Arts and Cultural Award recognises members of the community of any age making significant and lasting contributions to arts and culture in the community.
6. Environmental Achievement Award recognises members of the community of any age making significant and lasting contributions to the environment.
7. Senior Sports Award recognises sports people for their personal endeavours and achievements in their sporting code.
8. Junior Sports Award (Aged 18 years or under at 26 January 2024) recognises young sports people for their personal endeavours and achievements in their sporting code.

To be eligible to be nominated for a Douglas Shire Council Australia Day Award, nominees must not have been a previous recipient of an Australia Day Award in the same category, cannot be an elected representative (eg MP, Councillor or a recipient of Australia and Imperial Honours) and must be Australian citizens living in the Douglas Shire Council local government area.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Becoming an Australian citizen is one of the most important decisions for those who have chosen to make Australia their home.

Douglas Shire Council is honoured to play a role in ensuring your citizenship ceremony is a meaningful and special experience for you, your family and friends.

Each year Council conducts a number of citizenship ceremonies .

All initial enquiries regarding becoming an Australian Citizen can be made to the Department of Home Affairs in Brisbane by phoning 131881 or visiting the Department’s website.

Once citizenship has been approved by the Department and Council has been notified of the approval, a representative from Council will contact you to arrange for you to take the Pledge of Commitment as the final step in becoming an Australian citizen.