Central Darling Shire Council has announced that nominations are now open for the annual Outstanding Community Service Awards.

The awards celebrate the individuals, volunteers, and events that continue to make a meaningful and positive difference across the Shire.

The awards programme recognises residents who have significantly contributed to their community, with presentations typically held around Australia Day each year. 

Award Categories

This year's awards feature several categories designed to recognise different types of community contribution:

• Citizen of the Year honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community through their service, leadership, or achievement.
• Young Citizen of the Year recognises exceptional community service by a person under 17 years of age, celebrating the next generation of community leaders.
• Service to the Community encompasses various forms of contribution, including acts of bravery, local business initiatives that benefit the community, and environmental stewardship.
• Volunteer of the Year acknowledges the dedicated volunteers whose unpaid service makes such a vital difference to community life.
• Outstanding Local Event celebrates events held in the previous year that brought the community together or provided significant benefit to residents.

Nomination Process

To be eligible for nomination, individuals must be residents of the Central Darling Shire, or in the case of events, they must have taken place within the Shire boundaries.

Community members can submit nominations online through Council's website at https://www.centraldarling.nsw.gov.au, or collect printed nomination forms from Council offices during business hours.

A panel comprising community members and the General Manager will review all nominations, selecting recipients based on merit and adherence to the award criteria.

Recognising Excellence

The awards provide an important opportunity to publicly acknowledge the contributions of community members, fostering a sense of pride and encouraging continued community engagement.

Central Darling Shire Council's own commitment to community service was recently recognised when it became a finalist in the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. 

The Council was acknowledged for its work on the Baaka Cultural Centre and the Local Emergency Management Committee's exemplary response during a significant power outage, demonstrating the Shire's dedication to serving its community.

Residents are encouraged to take the opportunity to nominate deserving community members, stating that the awards are an important way to recognise the often-unsung heroes who make such a positive difference in people's lives.

Award recipients to be announced and celebrated at a special ceremony around Australia Day 2026.

For more information about the awards or to submit a nomination, visit Council's website or contact Central Darling Shire Council offices.