Nominations Now Open for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards
Wattle Range Council is calling on the community to help shine a spotlight on our local heroes as nominations for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards are now open.
The awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups who go above and beyond to make Wattle Range a better place to live.
Council encourages residents to nominate someone they know who makes a real difference in the community, whether through volunteering, leadership, creativity, or commitment to others.
The awards include categories for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Active Citizenship and the Youth Recognition Awards of 5 categories.
“These awards are an important opportunity to recognise the people who quietly contribute so much to our towns and communities,” said Mayor Des Noll of Wattle Range Council.
"Those making the greatest impact often do so quietly and without recognition. That’s why nominations matter; it’s our chance to say thank you on behalf of the entire community."
“Nominees might be a devoted coach, community organiser, young leader, or someone who always puts others first, we want to hear their stories,” Mayor Noll said.
We all know someone who goes the extra mile for others, whether it's in a workplace, a local community group, or a sporting club.
“On top of the Young Citizen of the Year Award we also have 5 Youth Recognition Awards which allow us to support and empower our emerging leaders”, said Emma Clay, Council’s Director of Development Services.
Recipients will be selected by an independent judging panel and winners announced at Council’s official Australia Day breakfast events on January 26, 2026, giving the whole community a chance to show their appreciation.
This year, Council has changed the Citizen of the Year Awards to follow the guidelines of the Australia Day Council of SA. This means there will be fewer award recipients overall across the Council area, and there will no longer be separate accolades for each Council ward.
The Australia Day events will still be held across the Wattle Range in all four wards and there will be more information provided closer to the day.
Acknowledging that many of community members carry out their volunteer work across wards in Wattle Range, Ms Clay said the change will create a more competitive process, while also enhancing the credibility and prestige of the awards.
“There’s no doubt Wattle Range is full of passionate, community-minded people. These awards are our way of saying thank you, and to ensure their efforts don’t go unnoticed,” said Ms Clay.
“Past recipients like Beachport’s passionate all rounder, Dianne Roach who was honoured on Australia Day 2025, are testament to the calibre of selfless individuals our region boasts.”
Nominations close on Friday, 12 December 2025 and forms can be completed online or in hard copy and are available at any of Council’s offices or from the website at www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/australia-day-awards