Australia Day, Awards & Citizenship Ceremonies

The first step to apply for Citizenship is to contact the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 80 or visit their website.

Mansfield Shire 2024 Citizen Awards

Nominations are now closed for the 2024 Citizen Awards. Nominees will be announced and winners awarded at the Australia Day Event on Friday 26 January 2024 at Botanic Park.

Categories for nominations included:

  • Citizen of the Year (28-65 years)
  • Young Citizen (14-27 years)
  • Senior Citizen (over 65 years)
  • Community Event of the Year  (most outstanding community event between December 2022 – November 2023)
  • Community Group or Organisation of the Year (most outstanding voluntary group for their service for the community during 2023) 

List of Previous Award Recipients(PDF, 180KB)

Australian Citizenship Ceremonies

Citizenship Ceremonies fulfil the requirements under Australian Citizenship law and provide an opportunity for Mansfield Shire Council to officially welcome its new citizens. Ceremonies are conducted by the Mayor once citizenship has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs and can also be performed on Australia Day as part of our Australia Day Celebrations.

Enquiries regarding Australian Citizenship and the application process should be directed to the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 80 or via their website.

Visit homeaffairs.gov.au

Australia Day Celebrations and Citizen Awards

Australia Day Celebrations are held each year in Mansfield. An Australian Citizenship Ceremony is also held during this event.

As part of our Australia Day Celebrations held on 26 January each year, Council also presents Citizen Awards in five categories:

  • Citizen, Senior Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year - awarded in recognition of a noteworthy, honorary contribution in community service or for personal achievement, including sport, over a number of years.
  • Community Event of the Year - awarded to an individual, organisation or group in recognition of the valuable contribution that a special event has made in giving something to the local community. 
  • Community Group or Organisation Award - designed to acknowledge the most outstanding Community Group or Organisation that has demonstrated a high level of excellence and innovation and provided a significant impact on the town's community.

We congratulate our 2023 Australia Day Award winners:

  • Citizen of the Year - Cathie Smith
  • Senior Citizen of the Year - Marie Sellstrom
  • Young Citizen of the Year - Sam Bell
  • Community Event of the Year - Mansfield Open Studio Trail (M.O.S.T)
  • Community Group or Organisation - High Country Quilters

Full details on 2023 Citizen Award nominees(PDF, 248KB)

Read Citizen of the Year, Cathie Smith's acceptance speech(PDF, 1MB)

Read Senior Citizen of the Year, Marie Sellstrom's acceptance speech(PDF, 1MB)

Nominations for these Awards open in October each year with winners formally acknowledged on Australia Day.

Details of what's planned for Australia Day and the 2024 Citizen Awards will be available on the events page of the website from December 2023.

For further details, contact Council’s EA Mayor and CEO on 5775 8555.

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