Frequently Asked Questions

The Award Program aims to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions of individuals and groups who demonstrate active citizenship within your local community.

Local Government Authorities who are Gold Members with Auspire – Australia Day Council WA have access to the Award Program. Membership ensures that councils have access to resources, support, and guidance from the same network that runs the WA Australian of the Year Awards.

 

To become a Gold Member, please see details about fees and fill out the membership form at the bottom of this page or contact us on 0499 111 944.

Contact us on 0499111944 or email us at info@auspire.org.au find out if your council is a Gold Member with Auspire.

Benefits include access to Community Citizen of the Year Awards, access to Ambassadors for Australia Day celebrations, discounts on Aboriginal Cultural Awareness workshops, discounts on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion workshops and more. For the full list of benefits, please visit our membership benefits page here.

Participation in the Award Program is reserved only for councils who are Gold Members of Auspire.

Member councils receive access to the online nomination portal where all nominations for their council are stored. Member councils are provided with a Program Toolkit which contains promotional materials such as logos, posters, and social media content templates as well as checklists, access to webinars and more. Councils receive medallions and hardcopy Award certificates customised for each recipient and signed by the Award Program Patrons, the Governor of WA and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson. The certificates will also carry your council’s logo and have space for your mayor or shire president to sign alongside the Governor.

For detailed information about council membership benefits, requirements, and how to apply, please click here or email us at info@auspire.org.au.

Eligibility typically includes residents or organisations within your local council area who have made significant contributions to improving community life through volunteerism, civic engagement, or innovative projects. Click here to read the Eligibility Criteria.

Nominations can be submitted through the online form here or by filling out a hardcopy nomination form available that your council coordinator will be able to download and print from the Program Toolkit once you have access to it as a Gold Member.

Award recipients are selected by each Local Government Authority through a selection committee based on the selection and eligibility criteria. The selection committee is normally composed of representatives from your local government, community organisations, and potentially previous award recipients.

 

Recipients are typically announced at a public ceremony or event hosted by the local government, often on or around Australia Day or otherwise coinciding with significant community celebrations or awareness days. Most ceremonies take place on the same day as citizenship ceremonies.

For more information about running the program, please email us at coty@auspire.org.au or call us on 0499 111 944.