Australia Day Awards

Matt is a Baw Baw native and a previous Baw Baw Australia Day Medallion recipient. A suicide survivor, Matt has worked tirelessly for the past seven years as a full-time mental health advocate to create awareness, acceptance and education. Using his knowledge of lived experience, Matt and Mindfull Aus encourage others to feel comfortable to speak up and manage their wellbeing. Mindfull Aus’ offices are based locally in Drouin, and they run numerous community events, speaking engagements, workshops and programs. 

Christine was awarded for her contribution to the community through her work with the West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Trafalgar Bendigo Bank Committee, Celebrate Baw Baw, Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN and the Gippsland Committee for the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Koby was awarded for the creation of a social group in the Baw Baw Shire area. The group encourages people to go out, make friends, socialise and connect with other like-minded people and thereby providing a safe and welcoming space, especially during and following COVID times.

Paul was awarded for his ongoing contribution to the community through his volunteer work with the Friends of Mt Worth, Community Radio 3BBR, CFA, Baw Baw Sustainability Network and Landcare. 

Tetoora Road Community Centre were awarded for their centenary celebrations that were held in October. The event was a significant and special community event for both those who contributed and attended. The event encouraged ongoing belonging and connectedness among a community that is heavily rural and distanced by the nature of rural living and promoted the community centre’s history and future. 

Aberfeldy & District Association Inc. were awarded for their contribution to the local community through its purposeful commitment to encouraging community participation, activity and support and its generosity and committed involvement of group members who inspire, encourage and foster collaboration and support. 

To be eligible to receive an Australia Day Award the following criteria must be met:

• All individuals must be Australian Citizens.
• Nominees for Baw Baw Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year must be a resident of Baw Baw Shire.
• Nominations for the Community Group of the Year must be a registered not for profit organisation in Baw Baw Shire and have provided the community service primarily in Baw Baw Shire.
• Events nominated for Community Event of the Year must have been held within the Shire and be able to demonstrate they are a not for profit organisation or group.
• Only one person may be nominated per nomination form.

• No self-nominations will be accepted, however, group self-nominations are accepted.

Citizen of the Year

Recipient is someone who has demonstrated through their hard work and dedication that they:

• provide a significant contribution to the community in the current year or over a number of years;
• demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and/or are a role model for their community members or organisations, or;
• excel in one of the areas of arts or culture, sport and recreation, business, the environment or community service.

Young Citizen of the Year

Recipient is someone who:

• must be 25 years of age or under on 26 January of the year in question; and

• demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and/or are a role model for their community members or organisations or;
• has either made a noteworthy contribution during the current year and/or has given outstanding service for the local community over a number of years.

Community Organisation of the Year

An organisation or group that:

• has performed outstanding community service to the local community, either during the current year and/or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years;
• has demonstrated that they meet a community need or priority and has provided exceptional service to the community; and
• operates within the municipality.

Community Event of the Year

Recipient is an organisation or group which:

• has staged a noteworthy community event within the Shire during the past year; and
• demonstrates that they are a community event and a not for profit organisation or group.

Recipients will be selected by a panel consisting of the Mayor, Councillors and Council Officers. The panel will consider all eligible entries against the assessment criteria and select the most outstanding nominee in each category.

Award recipients will be notified in December and publicly announced at the annual Baw Baw Shire Council Australia Day Awards ceremony in January 2024.

Have questions? We’re here to help! For more information about the Baw Baw Shire Australia Day Awards, please contact Council’s Community Events Team on 1300 229 229 or by email at bawbaw@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au