Nominations open for the 2021 Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards.

The awards are a chance for the community to recognise the achievements of people and groups in the Tweed during 2020.

Nominations are open for eight categories:

• Citizen of the Year - for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Tweed community.

• Arts and Culture Award - for an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to cultural development within the Tweed.

• Volunteer of the Year (Individual) - for an individual who has made a significant contribution to volunteer works within the community.

• Volunteer of the Year (Group) - for a group that has made a significant contribution to volunteer works within the community.

• Sporting Achievement (Individual) - for an outstanding playing sportsperson or ancillary volunteer who has dedicated a lot of time and effort to sports.

• Sporting Achievement (Group) - for an outstanding playing team, or ancillary volunteer group that has dedicated a lot of time and effort to sports.

• Community Event of the Year - for an event that promotes and increases the profile of its local area/or delivers wider benefits across the Tweed community.

• Young Achiever in Community Service - for a young person 25 years of age and under, who has made a significant contribution to the community.

Think of a friend, family member, community member, school or local club that deserves to be recognised and nominate by 4.30pm on Friday 16 October 2020 by visiting www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDayNomination.

The format of the awards ceremony will be guided by the NSW Public Health Orders, and a decision will be made in November as to whether a public ceremony can be held on Australia Day.

However, anticipating that restrictions will still be in place on public gatherings, Council is also making plans to broadcast a virtual ceremony on Australia Day.

"COVID-19 has meant that Council has developed innovative ways to continue serving and engaging with our community. This has included online Council and community meetings. We are now making plans to host the 2021 Australia Day Awards ceremony online to ensure we are honouring our wonderful award recipients and nominees in the safest possible way," Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne said.

"We also expect COVID-19 may influence people's nominations this year. This could include consideration of workers in health or aged care, community organisations, schools, or young people that have supported our residents during these very challenging times."

For more information on the Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards, visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay.