Community Awards to be incorporated into 2022 Colac Kana Festival
Published on 15 December 2021
Council last night resolved to hold the 2022 Colac Otway Community Awards Ceremony at the Colac Kana Festival on Saturday 19 March 2022.
“Our Community Awards are one of my favourite events of the year, so to be able to have them included in the Colac Kana Festival with a larger audience and freely accessible to the whole community will be fantastic,” said Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor, Cr Kate Hanson.
“I really hope everyone comes to the revamped community awards for a truly inclusive community event and to celebrate the award winners.
Council also approved three categories for future Colac Otway Community Awards: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Service Award (Group/Individual).
Previously, a sports and arts focused award were part of the categories, however these have now been incorporated into the broader categories, which is where others, such as environment and science-themed awards, sit.
Council employees are eligible to be nominated for a Colac Otway Community Award for achievements and work performed outside of their role as a Council employee, recognising that many Council employees are community-minded volunteers.
Other options considered were a stand-alone event, an event held in September each year on Citizenship Day, and rotating between different community events.
“It’s important to celebrate community achievements through these awards and holding them in March, outside of the busy January tourist and family responsibility peak, will only help to increase their popularity,” said Mayor Hanson.
“I’m lucky to meet many wonderful citizens in our shire during the year and witness their outstanding achievements in varied fields,” said Mayor Hanson. “I encourage you to nominate these community-minded residents and make sure their efforts are recognised.”
For upcoming nomination information, please visit: https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Council-the-shire/Permits-applications-forms/Awards-nominations.