Local heroes recognised with Australia Day Awards nominations
Some of the community’s most generous and selfless residents have been recognised with nominations for the 2020 Wagga Wagga Australia Day Awards.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Civic Theatre on Friday 24 January from 7pm.
There are six nominees for Citizen of the Year, one nominee for Young Citizen of the Year, three for the prestigious Walk of Honour, two for the Ted Ryder Memorial Award and one nominee for the new category, Environmental Citizen of the Year.
“It’s great to see so many outstanding citizens recognised through the awards nomination process,” Wagga Wagga City Council Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.
“The Australia Day Awards recognise and honour the dedication of people who work tirelessly to make the city a better place to live.
“This year a new award will recognise our Environmental Citizen of the Year. I would like to congratulate all award nominees on behalf of our city.”
All community members are invited to attend the awards, which will feature a presentation by Wagga Wagga’s Australia Day Ambassador and Aussie beach expert Brad Farmer AM.
There will be events across three days of Australia Day celebrations, kicking off with free entry at the Oasis Aquatic Centre on Thursday 23 January between 6pm and 7.30pm. Families and friends are encouraged to bring a picnic and join in the community festivities.
On Australia Day (Sunday 26 January), there will be a free community breakfast from 7am at the Wagga Beach along with fun activities and entertainment. There will also be a special citizenship ceremony at the beach at 9am.
Mr Farmer put Wagga Wagga on the world stage in December last year when he named the city’s beach at Number 9 on his top 20 list of Australian beaches for 2020.
“I’m counting the days until I can take another dip in the Murrumbidgee and feel the sand in my toes along this now nationally famous beach,” he said.
“Wagga Wagga is all things Australian – a vibrant regional city with down to earth Aussie values whilst celebrating diversity and inclusion.
“It’s a marvellously generous city and we’ve seen that once again in the bushfire crisis which has affected so many communities. The people of Wagga and surrounds stood up to help their fellow Australians in need – this is a fantastic city which has a true community spirit.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be part of Wagga’s Australia Day events this year.”
