2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards

You're invited! 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Ceremony

The official Australia Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday 26 January, commencing at 9am inside the Lennox Head Cultural Centre and everyone is invited to attend. 

Join us in providing a warm welcome to our new Australians in the Citizenship Ceremony, and thanking and congratulating the nominees in the highly anticipated 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.

Ceremony program:

9.00am  National Anthem and Flag Raising Ceremony
9.10am  Welcome to Country
9.10am  Welcome Address - Mayor Sharon Cadwallader
9.30am  Ballina Shire Citizenship Ceremony
9.50am  Performance
10.00am 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards Announcement
11.00am Ceremony Close

Further event details will be provided soon. 

Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards

Each year our Australia Day Awards recognise and celebrate local community members and groups making a significant contribution to our shire.

Nominations for the 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards have closed and a full list of nominees will be published in early January. Winners will be announced at the Ballina Shire Council Australia Day 2025 ceremony. There are eight nomination categories:

1. Local Hero (open age)
   Honour a trailblazer making an impact in their field.
    
2. Young Citizen of the Year (under 25 years)
   Recognise young achievers making a difference.
    
3. Senior Citizen of the Year (over 65 years)
   Celebrate the wisdom and dedication of our seniors.
    
4. Volunteer of the Year (open age)
   Applaud those who selflessly support our community.
    
5. Sports Achievement (individual, team, coach, sports administrator)
   Honour sports excellence and contributions.
    
6. Arts and Culture (individual or group)
   Celebrate creative visionaries enriching our culture.
    
7. Environmental Award (individual or group)
   Acknowledge eco-warriors protecting our environment.
    
8. Community Event of the Year (event held during 2024)
   Spotlight outstanding events held in 2024 that unite us.

The 2025 Citizen of the Year will be selected from all nominees across the various categories.