Nominations are now open for the 2018 Australian of the Year awards and you have an important role to play in the search for our nation’s finest.
The awards program relies on the public to submit nominations for people deserving of recognition.
You can have your say on who should be considered for the:
- 2018 Australian of the Year,
- Senior Australian of the Year,
- Young Australian of the Year and
- Australia’s Local Hero
by nominating online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, August 6.
National Australia Day Council chief Chris Kirby said it only took one nomination for someone to be in the running for the awards.
“Nominating is quick and easy, so play your part in the search for Australians doing remarkable work, helping others and making a difference,” Mr Kirby said.
“The person you nominate could be the next Australian of the Year, so nominating is a really important and powerful thing to do – you can have a big impact on someone’s life.”
The 2017 Australian of the Year, Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, said nominating someone for the Australian of the Year awards was a way to give our nation’s best the recognition they deserved.
“While I never set out to be Australian of the Year, the award has given me the opportunity to bring attention to the importance of science in our world,” said Professor Mackay-Sim said.
“A simple nomination from someone who knew of my stem cell research work has resulted in an enormous honour.
“Knowing the difference it can make, I encourage everyone to submit a nomination for someone whose contributions or achievements should be recognised.”
About 3000 individuals are nominated for the awards each year; 128 are recognised as state and territory finalists.
The state and territory award recipients go on to be finalists for the national awards. The national awards will be announced on January 25, 2018 in Canberra.
The Commonwealth Bank is proud to have a long-standing partnership with the Australian of the Year awards.
General manager of the bank’s brand, sponsorship and marketing services Stuart Tucker said nominating someone was an ideal way to say thanks to friends and colleagues for their efforts and contributions.
“Nominating someone for the Australian of the Year awards is something everyone can do and it’s a great way to recognise people who often are very humble but make a very big difference to Australian society,” Mr Tucker said.
Fairfax Media, publisher of this masthead, is a media partner with the Australian of the Year awards.
