Central Coast Council recognises the achievements of individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community through the Central Coast Community Awards (formally the Australia Day Awards).

These awards celebrate the achievements of a growing community that is diverse, multicultural and inclusive.

The Central Coast Community Awards provide our community with the opportunity to nominate locals that are helping to make the Coast a better place to live. Nominees and winners are from many different walks of life and are very often those who are working quietly behind the scenes right here on the Central Coast.

Awards are presented in five categories:

1. Community Group - Recognises the important and inspirational work of a community organisation, in community services, wellbeing and community safety.
2. Community Life - Recognises an individual person that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sports, arts, culture or environment.
3. Volunteer - An individual volunteer who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work within the community. Someone who has demonstrated outstanding service, commitment, and dedication to our local community through their volunteer work in a non-paid capacity.
4. Young Person - Recognising the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 25 years of age or under who has made a significant contribution to the community. Someone who has achieved high levels in their field and acts as an inspiration and role model to their peers.
5. Senior Citizen - Recognising the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 60 years of age or over who has made a significant contribution to the community.

Citizen of the Year - Overall winner! The Citizen of the Year will be awarded to the individual who achieves the highest overall score across all five award categories.

The nominee:

• Must be an Australian Citizen and MUST live in the Central Coast Local Government Area.
• Will have made a significant community contribution over a long term.
• Should be a role model that people can aspire to.
• Should be someone Council can advertise and promote as such.
• The nominee and the nominator must be separate individuals (i.e., you cannot nominate yourself).
• Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
• Ages are correct as of 8 January 2026.
• One nomination per organisation, or event.

See individual eligibility criteria specific to each category.

• Phone: 02 4306 7900
• Email: events@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au