City of Mount Gambier is calling for nominations for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards, which honour the unsung heroes who make our community a better place to live.
“If you know someone, an individual, group, organisation, or event, that has made a genuine and lasting impact in our community, I urge you to nominate them for a Citizen of the Year Award,” Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said.
“These awards are about recognising the quiet achievers and everyday champions who help make Mount Gambier a vibrant, caring and resilient city.”
“Acknowledging and celebrating our outstanding community members is a cornerstone of our Australia Day Breakfast event. It’s a moment to pause, reflect and express our gratitude to those who give their time, energy and heart to others. Their contributions often go unseen, but they are deeply felt, and they deserve to be recognised.”
Outstanding contributions may span across education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that promotes community advancement and wellbeing.
“The Citizen of the Year Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups who enhance the well being of our community. Many quietly volunteer their time and energy - this is our chance to say thank you,” City of Mount Gambier Acting Manager Library and Community Development Sally Mann said.
Nominations are open for the following categories:
The Awards will be presented to the recipients at the City of Mount Gambier Australia Day Breakfast and Citizen of the Year Awards event to be held at the Cave Garden/Thugi on Monday 26 January 2026.
“Nominating someone is a powerful way to acknowledge their dedication and inspire others to contribute. Celebrating our community champions is a highlight of the Australia Day event,” Mayor Martin said.
Submit your nomination online at www.citizenoftheyear.com.au/nominate by 5:00pm Sunday 16 November 2025. Alternatively, nominations marked ‘Citizen of Year 2026’ can be posted to: City of Mount Gambier, PO Box 56, Mount Gambier SA 5290 or emailed to: city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
Nomination forms and guidelines can be downloaded below and are available at the Civic Centre, Mount Gambier Library, or online.
For further enquiries, please contact Council on (08) 8721 2555.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Communications Officer Ashlea Watson at awatson@mountgambier.sa.gov.au or (08) 8721 2578.
