2017 Warrnambool Australia Day Awards

The search is on for Warrnambool’s most dedicated, generous and community-minded people, with nominations for the 2017 Warrnambool Australia Day Awards now open.

Categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year and the Local Achiever Award.

Chair of the Warrnambool Australia Day advisory committee, Andrew Suggett, said that Australia Day was the perfect time to come together as a community and recognise those who make Warrnambool what it is.

“Governments can do much to make a city liveable, but it’s the efforts of a core of devoted people who truly make a city loveable,” he said.

“There are so many passionate and selfless people in Warrnambool doing great things without any thought of getting anything in return.

“Considering the countless hours so many fine people dedicate to making Warrnambool a better place, nominating someone for an Australia Day award is one of the simplest, yet most important ways of showing your appreciation.”

For the first time residents who do not reside in Warrnambool, yet make a significant contribution to the Warrnambool community, will be eligible for the Local Achiever Award.

“The committee felt that there may be people who live in a neighbouring municipality, yet whose noteworthy efforts to improve the city of Warrnambool deserve official recognition,” Mr Suggett said.

Nominations close at 5pm on November 30, 2016.

The winners will be announced in the lead-up to Australia Day, with an official ceremony and community celebration to be held at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens on January 26. 

Previous winners of Warrnambool Citizen of the Year

2016 - David Atkinson
2015 - Vicki Jellie
2014 - Russ Goodear
2013 - Peter Headen
2012 - Glenys Phillpot, Bill Phillpot
2011 – Duncan Stalker, Gerry Billings
2010 – John MacInnes, Rosalie Newnham
2009 – James Nicol, Max Smart
2008 – Vern Robson, Darrell Hose
2007 – Pat Varley, Kay Whitehead
2006 – Eric Williams
2005 – Tom Bertrand Sen., Ray Welsford
2004 – Bill Quinlan, Joyce Lehmann
2003 – Joan Brown, John Clark
2002 – Andrew Suggett, Maxine Golding-Clark
2001 – Les O’Callaghan, Nonie Smith
2000 – Cath Lourie, Clive Rayner
1999 – Agnes Russie Walters, June Plater
1998 – John McLean, Roger Brough