Published on Wednesday, 3 September 2025 at 4:27:09 PM
The Albany community is encouraged to nominate exceptional individuals, organisations, and events for the 2026 Community Citizen of the Year Awards.
These awards celebrate the remarkable and often unrecognised contributions of residents who help make Albany a vibrant, compassionate, and caring community. The program fosters a positive community spirit, acknowledges local leaders, and raises awareness of the invaluable, largely voluntary work taking place across the city.
Nominations are open now and close on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Recognising local heroes for more than 20 years, the awards include four categories:
•Community Citizen of the Year (for individuals over 16 years)
•Young Community Citizen of the Year (for individuals aged 16-30 years)
•Senior Community Citizen of the Year (for individuals aged 65 years and over)
•Active Citizenship (for community groups or events)
Presented alongside the Community Citizen of the Year Awards for the third consecutive year is the Annette Knight Community Leadership Medal. This local honour recognises a voluntary leader who exemplifies the late Annette Knight’s legacy of compassion, community service, and unwavering dedication to Albany.
Deputy Mayor Paul Terry said the awards are a meaningful way to honour those who give their time, energy, and heart to building a stronger Albany.
“The Community Citizen of the Year Awards shine a light on those people and groups who quietly go about making our city better,” he said.
“The Annette Knight Medal is especially close to our hearts. In just two years we have seen it awarded to Barbara Thomas, whose decades of care at the Hospice show the power of compassion, and to Averil Dean, whose cultural leadership and gentle influence continue to shape our community for the better.
“These are the people who lead with purpose, not for recognition. These awards are about recognising them.”
Nominations can be made for contributions to education, health, fundraising, voluntary services, business, sports, arts, culture, the environment, social inclusion or any other area that enhances the wellbeing of our community. For the full criteria, visit www.albany.wa.gov.au.
Albany recipients will be announced at an awards ceremony at Binalup / Middleton Beach on Australia Day.
The City of Albany is proud to deliver the Community Citizen of the Year Awards, in partnership with Auspire and Joint Patrons His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson.
The Community Citizen of the Year Awards are proudly supported by Principal Partner the Department of Communities, and Media Partners 9News Perth, 6PR Perth and WA Today.
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