Wagga City Council events officer Amy McDonnell, deputy mayor Georgie Davies and Australia Day Committee chair Mark Wetteland would like the community to nominate someone who has made significant contributions to Wagga. Photo: Erin Hee.
Do you know someone who has made the community better?
Wagga City deputy mayor Georgie Davies wants you to “dob them in” and nominate them for an Australia Day award, which are open until the end of November.
“It’s a great way to acknowledge them,” Cr Davies said.
“If you know of someone that’s making a positive contribution, please just take the couple of minutes, jump online and dob them in for an Australia Day award.”
There are five award categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Ted Ryder Sports Memorial Award and Walk of Honour.
Wagga City Council events officer Amy McDonnell said the awards recognised and celebrated individuals who made outstanding contributions to the Wagga Wagga community.
“Last year, we had 13 nominations across the five categories, which is really exciting,” Ms McDonnell said.
“Sometimes people do go unnoticed for the work that they do.
“These people don’t necessarily do these things to be recognised, but I think it’s really important that they are recognised by the community for the work that they do to better the whole of Wagga.”
Australia Day Community Committee chair Mark Wetteland said applications were judged based on merits and what the person’s contributions have been to the community.
“We’re always surprised with what people are doing within our community,” Mr Wetteland said.
“Some of them we are aware of within the community, but it’s always great to see those ones that we’re not aware of.
“When we’re reading through some of the ones that we do know, we’re actually learning that they’re engaged with a number of different activities and they make really great contributions.”
Cr Davies said it was important to get the ball rolling early.
“It could be anyone. It could be someone dropping off meals via Meals on Wheels, someone volunteering at our local animal shelter, anyone putting together a charity event,” she said.
“Our entire economy couldn’t function without the work of volunteers.”
Australia Day awards for 2026 are open until 23 November. Submit an online nomination here, or fill out a nomination form at Wagga City Council’s customer service desk in the Civic Centre.
Council is also encouraging students to audition to perform the National Anthem at the Australia Day award ceremony and community event.
Local primary school principals and music teachers can nominate students via email ([email protected]) by midnight on 10 September.
