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WA Citizen of the Year Awards

About the Awards

The Western Australian Citizen of the Year Awards were first presented in 1973 by the Western Australia Week Council, later renamed Celebrate WA, to provide the community with an opportunity to honour the achievements and contribution of their fellow citizens. 

Each year, the State's most prestigious Awards acknowledge remarkable individuals and organisations that motivate and inspire others through their vision, leadership, talent, humility and spirit of community service. 

There are twelve Citizen of the Year Award categories:

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

With the exception of the Indigenous Leadership Award and Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award – where the recipient is selected from nominations by individuals and groups knowledgeable about Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people – all Citizen of the Year Award recipients are selected from public nominations. 

With the exception of the Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement Award - where the recipient is selected from nominations put forward by individuals and groups knowledeable in the field of social justice and human rights.

In addition to the ten Citizen of the Year Awards, the Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award, the Bendat Family Foundation Perpetual Youth Scholarship and the Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship are presented at the Awards presentation and dinner.

Western Australian Citizen of the Year Awards are presented annually in the following categories:

Additional awards presented at times of significant achievement are:


AWARD DESCRIPTIONS

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Acknowledges a significant contribution to the development and promotion of the arts, culture and entertainment in Western Australia by a musician, artist, dancer, actor, author, filmmaker or through involvement with an arts organisation.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Burswood Entertainment Complex

Community Service
Honours extraordinary voluntary service and dedication by an individual at a State wide level that leads to the betterment of life for the Western Australian Community.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Coles Supermarkets WA

The Gold Swan Award
Honours an organisation that demonstrates outstanding and ongoing commitment to the wider community and provides a service that improves the lives and opportunities of Western Australians.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Alcoa World Alumina 

The Governor's Award for Regional Development
Recognises the commitment, vision, leadership and contribution an individual has made to the growth, development and prosperity of regional Western Australia.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by the Department of Regional Development and Lands

Industry & Commerce
Acknowledges the leadership, vision and entrepreneurial skills of an individual who has achieved success in the demanding area of industry and commerce and contributed to the advancement of the State and its people.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia

Indigenous Leadership Award
The recipient of this Award is selected by a panel of respected Indigenous and community leaders from nominations put forward by individuals and groups knowledgeable on the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Indigenous Leadership Award recognises the significant professional and personal acheivements and contribution of an outstanding Indigenous Leader who serves as an inspirational role model for Indigenous people and the broader Western Australian community.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Wesfarmers

The Professions
Recognises the exceptional achievements of an individual engaged in excellence in a vocation requiring advanced knowledge and learning and acknowledges the contribution they make to their profession and the wider community.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by St John of God Hospital, Murdoch

Sport
Acknowledges an individual who has mad an outstanding and enduring contribution to the development, promotion and administration of sport in Western Australia.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Bell-Vista Fruit & Vegetable Co Pty Ltd

Youth Arts Award
Acknowledges a young person aged 18 – 25 years engaged in the pursuit of excellence in any area of the arts, including performing arts, visual arts, design, literary arts, film, the media, technology arts or other allied creative arts.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Commonwealth Bank

Youth
Recognises the personal and professional endeavours of a young person aged 18 – 25 years who has fostered a significant positive change in their life and the lives of others in the community.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Prime Health Group Pty Ltd

Bendat Family Foundation Perpetual Youth Scholarship
The recipient of the Bendat Family Foundation Perpetual Youth Scholarship is selected from nominees for the Youth and Youth Arts Awards.
The scholarship provides a $6,000 donation for a young person engaged in the pursuit of excellence in their chosen field to gain skills and experience with a nominated mentor or institution.

This Scholarship is exclusively sponsored by The Bendat Family Foundation

Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship
The recipient of this Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship is selected by a panel of respected Indigenous and community leaders from nominations put forward by individuals and groups knowledgeable on the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship provides a $6,000 donation to assist and support a young Indigenous leader to gain knowledge and experience in an academic, cultural or spiritual discipline with a nominated mentor or mentor organisation.

This Scholarship is exclusively sponsored by Wesfarmers

The Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement Award
The recipient of this Award is selected by a panel of respected leaders from nominations put forward by individuals and groups knowledgeable about children and young people's wellbeing in Western Australia.
The Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the significant work of exceptional individuals.
The Award recipient's body of work has enhanced the wellbeing of children and young people and is an inspiration to others working with children and young people and to the broader community.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA

The Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award
The recipient of this Award is selected by a panel of respected community leaders from nominations put forward by individuals and groups knowledgeable in the field of social justice and human rights.
The Sir Ronald Wilson Award recognises an oustanding Western Australian who has shown exceptional leadership and commitment in the field of social justice, human rights, equality and anti-racism.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by Office of Mulitcultral Interests

Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award
The recipient of this Award is selected by a panel of knowledgeable and respected Western Australians from nominations put forward by the Council of Celebrate WA.
The Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award honours the vision, innovation and exemplary achievements of a Western Australian leader and role model who contributes to the community above and beyond expectation and influences and motivates others to excel.

This Award is exclusively sponsored by The Oswal Group Global


Epic Achievement Award
This Award was inaugurated in 1983 and is only awarded when a Western Australian achievement of truly epic proportions occurs. 

Spirit of WA Award
This is a team award and was first presented in 1999.  The Award honours the remarkable efforts of unsung heroes from organisations which swing into immediate action to manage response and recovery operations when devastating circumstances occur.

These groups perform above and beyond the normal call of duty and demonstrate the true spirit of WA that unites us during times of need and adversity and rekindles hope and a vision for a positive and shared future.  

The Special Year 2000 Award
In celebration of the passing of the old and the dawning of a new millennium and century, this unique award was presented to honour outstanding role models who provided inspiring leadership, vision and compassion to the people and State of Western Australia.

Talented and dedicated recipients of all the awards are positive role models and exemplary Western Australians who have worked tirelessly for the community in which they live.  Through their achievements they have reached their goals, inspired others and promoted pride and confidence in Western Australia.