East Gippsland Shire Council is inviting the community to recognise outstanding local achievements by nominating deserving individuals, organisations and groups for the 2026 East Gippsland Australia Day Awards.

The awards shine a light on the everyday heroes who make East Gippsland such a wonderful place to live, work and thrive. They acknowledge significant contributions in areas such as volunteering, community service, sport, arts, and environmental initiatives.

Nominations are now open in the following categories:

• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year (under 27 years of age on 26 January 2026)
• Community Event of the Year (for events held in 2025)

One of the 2025 Young Citizens of the Year, Alfie Simpson, reflected on being part of the Awards: “It was great to be a part of the awards because it meant that we could show other people how to help people living rough or doing it really hard,” Alfie said.  

“The East Bairnsdale Community Hub does a great job, and Lisa is awesome. She shares the things we donate to everyone who needs it. We donate things like pet food, eggs and even a lamb so the community can eat meat. With the right support, kids can do really good things to help others. And we have heaps of good kids in East Gippsland.

“The most exciting part of the award for me was meeting the lady who gave me a coin with a very special handshake [the Australian Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC]. I’m really proud of that and she was really nice. I was able to talk to her about the work I do and the people I help. I want to continue this work for as long as I can because I know it helps people doing it tough.”

All nominees will be formally recognised at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony in January 2026.

At the 2025 event, Australia Day Ambassador and Sailor’s Grave Brewing co-founder Chris Moore said: “One of the great strengths of our region is how much we embrace living with people who have different opinions and backgrounds.”

“East Gippsland is extremely diverse. Whether it’s First Nations people, people of multi-generational backgrounds, people who have moved here to start a new life, or sea and tree changers, we’re held together by common bonds. Here, we embrace people with different backgrounds, and we live together really well.”

Nominations close at 5.00 pm on Sunday 7 December 2025. If someone in your community inspires you, supports others or goes above and beyond, make sure their efforts are recognised. Submit your nomination now so they don’t miss out.

Nomination forms are available online at eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/community/australia-day, at Council’s Customer Service Centres and via the mobile bus service.

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