Know a community legend? Nominate them now for the 2027 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards
Dr Selina Tomasich with Mayor Rosanna Natoli.
It's time to celebrate the inspiring individuals and outstanding organisations who make our region a better place in the 2027 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards.
Submitting a nomination is your chance to recognise those who go 'above and beyond’ to make our Sunshine Coast such a great place to live.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the awards were a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on those community champions who didn't seek recognition but certainly deserved it.
"Often they are quiet achievers, selflessly giving their time, energy and talents to help others. These are the people who make our region a better place to live," Mayor Natoli said.
"The Australia Day Community Awards celebrate those who make a positive difference across the Sunshine Coast, everyday people and organisations who make meaningful contributions to our community.
"If there's someone you know who has inspired you, supported others or gone above and beyond to help make our region stronger, please take the time to nominate them."
The impact of being recognised
Dr Selina Tomasich, founder of global non-profit Hair Aid, was last year’s Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year.
“It was a huge honour to win and provided a wonderful opportunity to share the work our organisation does to help families out of poverty,” Dr Tomasich said.
“From empowering people internationally to start hair businesses to offering free haircuts to those doing it tough in Australia, winning the award helped more people understand what we do and why.
“If you know an everyday person driving extraordinary change, recognising their work not only benefits them personally but also the organisation they started or support.”
Special way to say thanks
Mayor Natoli said submitting an entry was made easy by visiting Council's website and following the steps.
"Don't assume someone else will do it! These awards are a special way of saying thank you to the people who help make the Sunshine Coast the vibrant, welcoming and thriving region we know and love," Mayor Natoli said.
"Please spare a few moments to help give them the recognition they deserve and inspire future local legends."
Nominations are now open and will close on 30 November 2026, with award recipients to be announced at the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards ceremony on 22 January 2027.
The categories for 2027 are:
• Citizen of the year, sponsored by Channel 7
• Young Citizen of the year, sponsored by Mix FM + Sea FM
• Senior Citizen of the year, sponsored by Maroochy RSL
• Community - group or organisation, sponsored by My Weekly Preview
• Arts and Culture, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation
• Healthy and Active, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Lightning
• Environment
Nominate before 30 November 2026, visit Council's website and search Australia Day Community Awards.
Nominations are open now and close on 30 November 2026 with the awards ceremony taking place on January 22.
• Visit sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/awards-and-citizenship