Nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year Awards are now closed.
About Citizen of the Year awards
Adelaide Hills Council values the passion and commitment of its community and has for many years acknowledged this through the presentation of Citizen of the Year awards.
On behalf of the Australia Day Council of South Australia, the Council celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding members of our community through the Citizen of the Year Awards.
Nominated by their peers, these individuals offer remarkable service every day and are so often an unsung hero. They don’t do it for the praise or for recognition – they do it simply because it makes a difference to the people in our community.
The Council presents a number of awards at events across the region annually and on three days either side of the Australia Day public holiday on 26 January. The award categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (under 30yrs), Community Event of the Year, and Civic Awards (multiple).
The Citizen of the Year Awards comprise four major categories:
Citizen of the Year Award
This is presented to someone making an extraordinary contribution to the community and may recognise outstanding service over a number of years.
To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen.
Young Citizen of the Year Award
This is presented to a young emerging leader who is making a real difference in their community.
To be eligible, the person must be an Australian Citizen aged over 16 years and under 30 years of age on January 26, 2024.
Community Event of the Year Award
This is presented to the person or group who has staged the most outstanding event for their community.
To be eligible, the person or group must be Australian Citizens.
Award for Active Citizenship (Civic Award)
These awards are presented to a person or group delivering (or having delivered) outstanding work on a project, initiative or event for the community during the past calendar year. They may be an unsung hero who benefits a few people or many, in small or in major ways.
The person or group need not be Australian Citizens.
Procedure
The Australia Day Council of South Australia and participating Local Councils call for nominations from community groups and individuals.
Nominations are submitted online via the Citizen of the Year website or using the form provided above.
All nominations received are provided to the relevant local Council for consideration and selection.
The Adelaide Hills Council presents the awards between 23 and 29 January and all finalists will be notified by Council.
Councils can forward the details of their Award recipients to the Australia Day Council of South Australia to go in the running for the State Awards, presented by the Governor of South Australia.
- South Australia’s Citizen of the Year Award
- South Australia’s Young Citizen of the Year Award
- South Australia’s Community Event of the Year Award
- South Australia’s Award for Active Citizenship
Community Celebrations
2023 Image Gallery
2023 Award recipients
| Recipient name | Recipient home town | Award received |
|---|---|---|
| Natasha Hortle | Woodside | Citizen of the Year |
| Jasmin Scott | Woodside | Young Citizen of the Year |
| The English Ale | Mylor | Civic Award |
| Brenda Stenhouse | Houghton | Civic Award |
| Donald Kevin Herrmann | Lobethal | Civic Award |
| Doreen Thomas | Aldgate | Civic Award |
| John Odea | Gumeracha | Civic Award |
| Merrilyn Hannaford | Uraidla | Civic Award |
| Mitchell Smyth | Gumeracha | Civic Award |
| Neil Shillabeer | Oakbank | Civic Award |
| Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee | Oakbank | Civic Award |
| Ray Grivell | Balhannah | Civic Award |
| Robert Riggs | Uraidla | Civic Award |
| Ross Kealley | Crafers West | Civic Award |
| Stirling Meals on Wheels | Stirling | Civic Award |
| Tracy Goodwin | Aldgate | Civic Award |
Award Archives
So many people have made lasting impacts on the Hills community. Browse the archive of annual award recipients.