Nominations for the 2011 WA Citizen of the Year Awards have opened and Celebrate WA CEO Jennifer Young is reminding everyone to get involved. ‘It’s important that the Western Australians think about the leaders around them who deserve recognition and nominate them for these important and unique awards.”

‘We all know people who selflessly give to the community and should be acknowledged for their contribution. The awards cover a wide range of industries, so if you know someone, put their hand up’, she said.

The prestigious awards annually highlight the outstanding calibre and contribution of Western Australian citizens. 2010 recipients include Andrew Forrest, Estelle Blackburn OAM, Malcolm McCusker AO QC , Gerard Neesham OAM and Dr Michael Stanford.

The categories open for individuals include Arts, Culture & Entertainment; Community Service; Industry & Commerce; Professions; Indigenous Leadership; Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement; Youth; Sport; Youth Arts; Governor’s Award for Regional Development; Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership and Gold Swan for an outstanding service organisation.

‘Within all these categories are exceptional people doing an amazing job across our State. What we need is for community members to highlight them through nomination to ensure strong representation for these fields’, said Ms Young.

Details: Backgrounder follows and www.celebratewa.com.au(.)

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Media contact: Kezia Dawkins m 0420 552 265

Background

Citizen of the Year Awards 2011 Recognising and Rewarding Excellence in Western Australians

The State’s premier awards were introduced in 1972 to recognise the contribution of outstanding individuals and service organisations, 2011 recipients will be announced at the 39^th annual awards presentation dinner on Saturday 28^th May 2011.

Citizen of the Year Awards are presented in the following categories: Arts, Culture & Entertainment; Community Service; Industry & Commerce; Professions; Indigenous Leadership; Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement; Youth; Sport; Youth Arts; Governor’s Award for Regional Development; Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership and Gold Swan for an outstanding service organisation.

Citizen of the Year Award recipients are selected from public nominations, with the exception of the Indigenous Leadership, Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership, Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement and Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Awards, where the recipients are selected from public nominations and names put forward by respected community leaders.

In addition to the awards presented on the night will be the Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship and the Burswood Youth Scholarship.

Nominees must be Australian citizens residing in WA, who have made a significant and enduring contribution to the wider community. Youth and Youth Arts Award nominees must be aged 18-25 years and service organisations nominated for the Gold Swan Award must be based in WA and the service they provide must make a positive impact on the lives and opportunities of the broader community.

Nominations close on Friday 25^th March 2011.

The 39^th annual awards presentation dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom at Burswood Entertainment Complex on Saturday 28^th May 2011.

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