Hosted by Moreton Bay Regional Council, the Australia Day Awards in 2022 will feature new criteria and categories – a move Mayor Peter Flannery believes is a sign of the times and in line with the way people in the region connect today. In a statement, he added:
“I’m pleased to announce there will be a new format for the 2022 Awards, which will be streamlined to two awards - Citizen of the Year Award and the new Mayor’s Community Spirit Award.”
In a first for the awards, people who don't live in the region and are not yet Australian citizens will be able to nominate for the spirit award, while the main award is set to continue to pay homage to exemplary regions within the local area. Awards such as these are often widely advertised through flyer printing campaigns and local media.
Nominations for the awards, which are held to celebrate and recognise unsung heroes within the community who, through their generosity and selfless actions, have helped other locals in so many different ways, will close on 29 October.
The mayor said the calibre of nominees is always amazing and he urges community members to nominate a person they think reflects the true Australian spirit.