Waverley Local Hero Awards

Local Hero Awards

Council's biennial Local Hero Awards recognise people in our community who are passionate about making a difference and dedicated to making Waverley a special place to live. No matter what age, our Local Heroes are all linked by a spirit of generosity and a desire to help others.

Awards categories include:

  • Strengthening Community: Recognises the important and inspirational work of an individual in the area of community services, wellbeing and community safety.
  • Community Life: Recognises an individual that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sport, arts, recreation or culture.
  • Community Volunteer: Recognises the time and effort that a community volunteer has given to an organisation or cause.
  • Working Together: Recognises the outstanding work and contribution of a community group.
  • Second Nature Champion: Recognises an individual who has made a significant voluntary contribution to environmental sustainability.
  • Young Local Hero: Recognises the great efforts of a young person aged 12–24 who has inspired others in the Waverley community.

Best of the Best Awards

Every four years, Waverley Council acknowledges outstanding and sustained contributions to the community through the ‘Best of the Best’ Local Hero Awards. Award winners are recognised with a bronze plaque along the Recognising Our Community Leaders walk, on the Bronte Beach or Bondi Beach promenade.

The Best of the Best Awards recognise individuals that have:

  • Demonstrated a significant and lasting contribution to the community over an extended and significant period of time;
  • Made a positive impact on the community;
  • Earned recognition by other groups, and the respect of peers; and
  • Exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others.

Things to consider before nominating

  • All Local Hero Awards nominees must live in the Waverley LGA, and/or have served the Waverley community.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted, however community groups may be nominated by a member of that group.
  • Nominations are only for voluntary contributions and achievements, apart from the ‘Strengthening Community’ award, where nominations will be accepted for professionals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions beyond their paid role.
  • Local Hero Awards will not be granted posthumously, with the exception of Best of the Best Awards, which may be granted posthumously to those that have passed away within the last four years.
  • Current serving Waverley Councillors, full-time Council staff, Sitting State and Federal Politicians and current Vice-Regal Officers are not eligible.
  • Previous award winners are ineligible for nomination in the same category.
  • Nominees for Young Local Hero must be under 25 years of age on 31 December of the year prior to the Awards taking place. Best of the Best Award nominees must be over the age of 18.

  • Nominations will be reviewed by an appointed judging panel. The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • Consideration is given to nominee’s achievements and ongoing contribution to the community.
  • Selection of recipients is based on the information available to the judging panel at the time of judging.
  • After reviewing the nominations, the judging panel will make a recommendation to Council for endorsement.
  • After Council has endorsed the award recipients, those how have made nominations will be notified of the outcome of their nominations.
  • You may be contacted for further information if necessary.

  • Council reserves the right to change the category if deemed appropriate.
  • Unsuccessful nominations may be carried over to the following year if requested or nominated again in subsequent years.
  • Award winners will be considered for the Best of the Best Award, which is awarded every four years.
  • Council reserves the right to withdraw an award if further information or the recipients conduct draws the award into disrepute.

  • Nominations will remain confidential and only award recipients will be publicly announced.
  • All nominees will receive confirmation of receipt of application and notice if they have been successful or not.

Subscribe to the Waverley Weekly for updates. For more information, email connected@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8916.

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