Australia Day nominations open year-round

As a new year begins, Lockyer Valley residents can now enjoy nominating deserving community members for the Lockyer Valley Australia Day Awards all year round.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones, said by extending the nomination period, it would give the community even more opportunity to nominate deserving recipients at the Australia Day Awards in January each year.

Throughout the year, members of the community are constantly giving back and doing their part to make the Lockyer Valley a better place, Mayor Jones said.

Having the nomination period open for much longer gives residents the opportunity to nominate someone at any time.

Rather than opening them late in the year, community members are encouraged to submit nominations as soon as possible, such as after a successfully run event or sporting achievement while it's still fresh in your mind.

Nominations will still close in late November of each year, but will now reopen on 27 of January and they are now open for the 2017 awards.

Award categories include:

• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Junior Sports Award
• Senior Sports Award
• Sporting or Community Group of the Year
• Arts and Cultural Award
• Community Event of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year

Nomination forms are available from Council offices in Gatton and Laidley, the Lockyer Valley Libraries, the Lake Apex Visitor Information Centre or online at www.lvrc.qld.gov.au.

I encourage everyone to keep their eyes open throughout the year for candidates and submit a form as soon as they see fit, Mayor Jones said.

For more information, please visit www.lvrc.qld.gov.au or contact Council on 1300 005 872.