Community Awards
The Kingston Community Awards recognise the outstanding service and achievements of individuals, groups and organisations who live, work or study in the City of Kingston.
Contribution can be in any field including education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well-being of a community.
If you know an individual or a group in the City of Kingston who you think deserves to be recognised for their contribution to our community - nominate them today.
Nominations
Nominations for Community Awards are open all year.
To be eligible for Community Awards 2024, submit your nomination by 15 March 2024.
Any nominations received after this date will form part of 2025 awards program.
Nominate now
Nomination categories
- Citizen of the Year - Individual
- Community Group of the Year - A group of people in the community
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Citizen of the Year award, nominees must:
- live, work or study within the City of Kingston
- have made an outstanding contribution or service to the community
- have shown continued commitment in any area/s such as: education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well-being of a community.
To be eligible for the Community Group of the Year award, nominees must:
- operate in the City of Kingston
- have made an outstanding contribution or service to the community
- have shown continued commitment in any area/s such as: education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well-being of a community.
Please note:
- Individuals cannot self-nominate for Citizen of the Year category but can nominate their group/business/organisation for Community Group of the year category
- Previous nominees are eligible to be nominated again
- Previous Winners of the awards are not eligible
- Kingston Council employees are not eligible unless being nominated for their work outside Council
Assessment criteria
In choosing the recipients of the Kingston Community Awards, nominees will be assessed according to the following assessment criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the community
- Significant and measurable impact on the community
- Demonstrated vision, excellence, leadership, innovation or creativity
- Contributed to a liveable, prosperous, healthy & inclusive, safe, sustainable community
Independent referee check
All nominations are required to be supported by two independent referees. For all eligible nominations received, Council staff will contact the referees to explore the merit of their nomination and ask that the referees provide a letter of support for their respective nominee.
Referee eligibility:
- Should be independent of the nominee and nominator
- Someone who has had close involvement with the nominee during their service or is able to comment directly on the nature and impact of their achievements
Selection process
Once nominations have closed, the selection panel will consider all eligible entries against the assessment criteria and select a winner.
The selection panel consists of the Mayor and fellow Councillors of the City of Kingston.
All eligible nominations will be announced online.
Important dates
- Nominations cut-off date for 2024 Community Awards is 15 March 2024
- The award winners will be officially announced and awarded at a public event in May
Previous winners
Citizen of the Year
- 2000 - Nadia Kanizay
- 2001 - Hazel Pierce OAM
- 2002 - Tony Coyle
- 2003 - Brian Pullen
- 2004 - Shirley Straker
- 2005 - Tom Uren
- 2006 - Dorothy Booth
- 2007 - Constance Smith
- 2008 - Sue Owen
- 2009 - Florence Gibbs
- 2010 - Les Williams OAM JP
- 2011 - Marion Harriden OAM
- 2012 - Thelma Mansfield
- 2013 - James Evans
- 2014 - Lesley McGurgan
- 2015 - Charlie Mizzi
- 2016 - Mairi Neil
- 2017 - Mary Rimington
- 2018 - Sue and Ken Gooding
- 2019 - Beverly Fitzharris
- 2020 - Helen Hollis
- 2021 - Daniel Maitland
- 2022 - Ted Gibbs
- 2023 - Peter Foley
Community Group of the Year
- 2000 - Carrum Residents Action Group (CRAG)
- 2001 - Mordialloc Rotary Club
- 2002 - Moorabbin State Emergency Service
- 2003 - Chelsea Community Information & Support Service
- 2004 - Chelsea State Emergency Service
- 2005 - Kingston Residents Against More Multi-Eyesore Development
- 2006 - Pilipino Elderly Association of South East Region (PEASER)
- 2007 - Friends of the Grange
- 2008 - CLOC Musical Theatre Inc
- 2009 - Kids' Café
- 2010 - Eisteddfod by the Bay
- 2011 - Friends of Mentone Station and Gardens
- 2012 - Matt's Place Bayside Community Church
- 2013 - Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra
- 2014 - Special Olympics Victoria Melbourne Southern Region
- 2015 - Friends of Braeside Park
- 2016 - Kingston's Beach Patrol Australia group
- 2017 - Dingley Village Community Association
- 2018 - Friends of Edithvale Seaford Wetlands
- 2019 - Save Kingswood Group Inc
- 2020 - Chelsea Commuity Christmas Lunch
- 2021 - Pantry 5000
- 2022 - Pets of the Homeless
- 2023 - Cheltenham Community Centre + STEM Incubators Inc.