Australia Day nominations extended

Nominations for the 2025 Lockyer Valley Australia Day Awards have been extended!

You can now nominate community members, events and groups for the 2025 Awards until midnight on 9 December 2024.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said the extension provided residents with even more opportunity to put forward their nomination in what is a busy time of year.

“Speaking to our community, we are all at a loss as to how it is October already!

“It’s a busy time for both schools and sports as the year draws to a close, and we know what that means for our families too.

“This extension will allow more time for our residents to nominate a deserving individual, group or community event that has made a positive impact on our community.

“The relatively short time it will take you to submit a nomination could make a long-term difference to the deserving person or group you nominate,” Mayor Milligan said.

Australia Day Award categories include:

• Citizen of the Year

• Young Citizen of the Year

• Junior Sportsperson of the Year

• Senior Sportsperson of the Year

• Community Organisation of the Year

• Event of the Year

A Citizenship Ceremony is held as part of the Australia Day celebrations each year, and the Lockyer Valley community welcomed 27 new citizens following its most recent citizenship ceremony – the second last for 2024.

The new citizens, who hailed from Thailand, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Colombia, France, Philippines, South Africa and Romania formally pledged their commitment to Australia in front of a large gathering of family and friends at the Gatton Shire Hall last week.

“This was not only pleasing for our new citizens, but for our community too.

“The Lockyer Valley regularly welcomes visitors from all over and there is no better feeling than when they decide to call the Lockyer Valley home,” Mayor Milligan said.

Nomination forms for Australia Day Awards are available from Council offices in Gatton and Laidley, the Lockyer Valley Libraries, the Lake Apex Visitor Information Centre or online at https://lockyervalley.smartygrants.com.au/AustraliaDayAwards2025.

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