How to Nominate

• Nominations can be made online here
• Nominations must be received by midnight, Sunday 24 November 2024.
• Nominations must be accompanied by supporting information providing a clear understanding of the nominee’s achievements and reason for nomination.
• Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year must include a biography of the nominee.

Eligibility

• Nominees must be Australian Citizens and reside in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
• Individuals and organisations cannot nominate themselves.
• Members of the Australia Day Community Committee are unable to nominate for any award.
• Walk of Honour nominees must have resided in the Wagga Wagga Local Government area for at least 5 years.
• Only the Walk of Honour Award can be granted posthumously.
• Sporting Associations may nominate one member only for the Ted Ryder Sports Memorial Award.
• Selection for the Awards will be made on the basis of service to the local community in any field considered appropriate by the Selection Committee and may also take into account acts of compassion, generosity, bravery, etc.
• Nominees must have contributed significantly to the local community over and above what is normally expected from their paid employment/business.
• If a nominee has received a taxable income for work in a related area, please explain in detail why their nomination should be considered.
• Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years by filling out a new nomination form, previous year’s nomination forms will not be accepted.

Assessment

• All nominees who meet the criteria of the award will be notified and invited to the Australia Day Awards Ceremony to be held on Saturday 25 January 2025 where the successful Award Recipient will be announced.
• Award recipients will be selected at the discretion of the Selection Committee. If nominations for a particular category are unsuitable, the Committee reserves the right not to select an Award recipient or consider the nomination under another category.
• The Selection Committee reserves the right to obtain more information about each person from whatever source appropriate.
• The decision of the Selection Committee shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into on the subject of decisions made.

Please contact Council on 1300 292 442 or via email australiaday@wagga.nsw.gov.au.

Hard copy nominations can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• via email to australiaday@wagga.nsw.gov.au
• via post, marked CONFIDENTIAL, Australia Day Awards, PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

2024 Citizen of the Year - Annette St Clair

Annette has shown unwavering commitment to the medical profession, along with exceptional contributions to the community. Annette worked as a registered nurse at Wagga Base Hospital for 29 years before joining Peter Street Medical as a Practice Nurse.

In 2010, Annette formed the Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust in memory of her daughter who lost her battle with the disease at an early age. Annette has been an active volunteer with the Cancer Council for over 10 years, where her enthusiasm and passionate nature has made her a wonderful advocate in the local community. Annette also dedicates her time to participating and organising many community initiatives including a Free Community Skin Check Day, Student Ambassador Day, Saturday Morning Disabled Bowling, Relay for Life, St Paul’s Youth Group, and the highly successful ‘Living Well After Cancer’ workshops which has assisted local carers and survivors.

Previous Citizen of the Year recipients

2024 Young Citizen of the Year - Angus Smith

Angus is described as an expectational young person who has contributed so much to the local community and state. He is passionate about politics, human rights, and the role of young people in democracy. He presents himself as a reliable, considerate, and compassionate individual who serves as an inspiration for other young people. Angus was Service Captain for The Riverina Anglican College 2023, and upon graduating, he was awarded the College Blue Color Award in Leadership. In 2023, Angus was selected as the Y NSW Youth Parliamentarian, and he was awarded the Youth Shadow Minister for Transport & Infrastructure representing the electorate of Wagga. He attended the Future23 National Conference in Canberra where he represented youth in regional areas. Angus was also actively involved as a team leader in the YES23 campaign, working tirelessly to facilitate social media and communication.

Previous Young Citizen of the Year recipients

The Baylis Street Walk of Honour was instigated in 1998 to recognise substantial contributors to the City of Wagga Wagga

The award forms part of Council's Australia Day Awards - confirming Council's belief in the importance of recognising those members of our community who have given so much of themselves to our city.

Nominations open in conjunction with the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Ted Ryder Sports Memorial awards in the second half of the year and the winners are announced on Australia Day.

View the Walk of Honour Plaque locations

2024 Walk of Honour Inductee - Peter Cox

Previous Walk of Honour recipients

Previous Ted Ryder Sports Memorial recipients

2024 Environmental Citizen of the Year - Demonstration Gardens Wagga Wagga

For over 23 years, Jim Rees and Canny  Kinloch have been instrumental figures in the formation and growth of Wagga Wagga’s Demonstration Gardens in Shaw Street. The Wagga Wagga Demonstration Gardens is an open and inviting community garden where locals can visit, connect and learn through the demonstration of gardening techniques, landscaping and more.

Jim and Canny provide a warm welcome to all corners, particularly those who are new to Wagga Wagga and love to share their wealth of knowledge with all community members. They dedicate their time to teaching new skills and championing community spirit. They both exhibit compassion and understanding when discussing how to make small environmental changes.

Previous Environmental Citizen of the Year recipients