Nominations for the annual Central Coast Council 2018 Australia Day Awards are now open.

The awards are open to anyone from across the Central Coast and spans seven categories designed to recognise locals who have shown outstanding dedication to their community, workplace, arts, culture or sport.

Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, is encouraging the community to get involved.

“We all know someone who is at the local sports ground rain, hail or shine, or a leading local business entrepreneur, or volunteers in their local area; and often their work goes unrecognised - the Central Coast Australia Day Awards are about changing that,” Ms Vaughan said

“We are encouraging everyone to nominate someone they know who may be worthy for one of the prestigious awards as well as the chance to be named the Central Coast Citizen of the Year.”

The categories for the Central Coast awards include:

• Arts, Culture and Entertainment
• Business Connecting Communities
• Community Service and Activity
• Volunteer of the Year
• Environmental
• Sportsperson of the Year
• Youth of the Year

The Citizen of the Year will be selected from one of the winners of the individual categories.

The awards recognise and celebrate the Coast’s great community spirit as well as recognising both the leaders in the community as well as those who work hard every day behind the scenes to make the Coast a great place to live.

Central Coast Citizen of the Year 2017, Lester Pearson, has been volunteering in the community for more than 35 years.

“I was very humbled to be named the Coast’s Citizen of the Year and couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my wife, Sue,” Mr Pearson said.

“I’m always blown away by the amount of good people doing great things in the world that makes a difference.

“I love volunteering as it gives you a real sense of satisfaction to help and change other people’s lives – I guess that’s why I have been doing it for so long.

“I encourage everyone to nominate that person and let them know the work they are doing in the community is appreciated.”

Lester continues to volunteer his time across many organisations, especially the SOKS project (Save Our Kids from Suicide). Since he started SOKS in 2011, together with his Gosford North Rotary team and in partnership with Lifeline, they have helped save more than 350 young lives who were contemplating suicide as well as enriching the lives of many others from across the Central Coast.

To be eligible for a Central Coast Australia Day Award, applicants must be an Australian Citizen and live in the Central Coast Local Government Area.

Nominations must be received by 5pm, Friday 10 November. For a full list of eligibility requirements and nominate online, visit our website, centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/australiadayawards