Northern Beaches Council is seeking community feedback on proposed changes to its Community Services Award Policy, which include adding an extra category, Community Group of the Year, to its Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards.

Other proposed changes include allowing non-Australian citizens to become eligible to win an Outstanding Community Service Award.

As well, the current Citizen of the Year can be included in the five community-member judging panel selecting the upcoming year’s award winners, if they choose.

The proposals have come from a review of the current Community Services Award Policy, which provides the framework for Council to recognise the outstanding contributions of people making a difference in the community.

The Policy provides the framework for the annual delivery of the Australia Day Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Community Service Awards.

Mayor Sue Heins said the proposed change to include a Community Group of the Year category recognised the importance of outstanding community groups working to improve the Northern Beaches.

“Many people contribute as part of a broader group of committed community members doing vital work.

“This new award category will allow better recognition of their collective efforts to improve the lives of people on the Northern Beaches.

“By recognising and celebrating the outstanding volunteers in our community, Council is demonstrating the vitally important role of volunteering.”

“Showcasing these incredible members of our community motivates and inspires others to volunteer, which will further improve inclusion and connection on the Northern Beaches.”

You can have your say on the proposed amendments to the draft Community Service Awards Policy 2023. Click here to find out more.

Since the adoption of the current Policy in 2019, Council has delivered the Australia Day Award program 4 times, recognising the meaningful and positive contributions of 77 individual volunteers and two groups on the Northern Beaches.