Nominations are now open for the 2019 Port Macquarie-Hastings Australia Day Awards.

The awards celebrate the members of our community who dedicate their time, and contribute to making the Port Macquarie-Hastings region such an inclusive community and a great place to live and prosper.

Award categories include the Young Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of Year.

Council director Jeffery Sharp said there are so many people within the community doing wonderful things every day, often with little praise or thanks.

“Nominating a local resident or group for an Australia Day Award is a great way to highlight the achievements of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and have made an outstanding contribution to our local community,” Mr Sharp said.

Previous award winners have come from a range of diverse backgrounds and have included young people looking to build a brighter future, volunteers who give passionately to a special cause, high achieving sports people and those dedicated to keeping our environment clean.

Nominees must be Australian citizens and live, work or study in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area.

“We are encouraging the community to help find our local unsung heroes, whoever they might be, and nominate them for an Australia Day Award,” Mr Sharp said.

Award recipients will be announced at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Australia Day award presentation at the Glasshouse on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Nominations are open until Friday, November 30, 2018 and can be submitted at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday