Australia Day 2026

Nominations for the Banana Shire Australia Day Awards can be submitted by individuals, groups or organisations.  Self-nominations are also accepted.

Nominations are submitted via the Australia Day 2026 Nomination Form.  This form can be completed through the quick and easy nomination portal below.  Alternatively, a paper copy can be downloaded for you to print via the Printable Nomination Form button below or collected from any of Council's Customer Service Centres or Libraries.

Upon submission, nominators will receive a confirmation email.

Online Nomination Form

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by individuals (aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2026).

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution, leadership or achievement by young individuals  (aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2026).

ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by individuals within the arts and cultural sector (aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2026).

YOUNG ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement by young individuals within the arts and cultural sector (aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2026).

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Recognising the contribution and dedication of volunteers within the Banana Shire.  Nominations may be for an individual of any age.

SPORTSPERSON AWARD
Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by individuals (aged 19 years or older as of 26 January 2026).

YOUNG SPORTSPERSON AWARD
Recognising exceptional sporting achievement by young individuals (aged 18 years or under as of 26 January 2026).

SPORTS COACH, OFFICIAL AND / OR ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
Recognising the contribution and leadership of individual sports coach, officials or administrators of any age.

COMMUNITY GROUP OR TEAM AWARD
Recognising exceptional contribution and achievement of local community groups or teams. 50% of members must reside in the Banana Shire.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognising the success of local community organised, public events throughout the Banana Shire.  Events must be held between November 2024 - November 2025.

The Banana Shire Australia Day Awards are assessed by a panel of community members and one or more of Banana Shire's Councillors.  The assessment panel changes each year.  The assessment panel will determine award recipients based only on the information provided in the nomination form.

All award recipients from individual categories are automatically nominated into the respective Citizen or Young Citizen category.

• Nominees can be entered into multiple categories in a single nomination.
• Nomination forms without a category selected will not be eligible for consideration.
• The nominator's name will be associated with the nomination.  If you wish to associate an organisation's name with the nomination instead, please select this option in the nomination form.
• Nominees must either reside in the Banana Shire or make a significant contribution to the Banana Shire community.
• Nominees must be a person, team or event.  Nominations for animals will not be accepted.
• The timeline for individual nominee achievements is not limited to within the previous 12 months.  Achievements over a period of time may be included in the nomination.
• Council will verify all information provided with the nominee.
• Nominee consent is required before applications can progress to assessment by the panel.

Nominations: Close 8.00am Thursday 20 November 2025.
Australia Day Award Ceremony: Award recipients announced at Taroom Wide Water Reserve on 26 January 2026.

For further information regarding the 2026 Banana Shire Australia Day Awards, please contact the Banana Shire Council on: 
Phone: (07) 4992 9500
Email: australiaday@banana.qld.gov.au