Australia Day

Each year the Australia Day Committee calls for nominations for the Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year awards, to be announced at the Civic Ceremony on Australia Day.

The objective of the awards is to recognise outstanding personal achievement or outstanding contribution to the community during the previous year. All residents of the Singleton Council local government area are eligible to nominate.

About the Awards

Citizen of the Year Award

This award is presented to the citizen judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the Singleton Local Government Area including but not limited to the year of nomination, and must be 26 years or older.

Nominations need to demonstrate some or all of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the community
  • Is law abiding 
  • Undertakes activities, which have had a significant impact within the community
  • Provides a positive role model for others
  • Takes the lead and shows vision
  • Undertakes activities that promote the welfare and wellbeing of the community
  •  Contributions made by nominees, have either been done on voluntary basis or exceed the normal requirements of the person’s paid work

Young Achiever of the Year Award

This award is presented to the young achiever judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the Singleton Local Government Area including but not limited to the year and must be 16 years to 26 years of age on Australia Day. 

Nomination for this award is open to all residents of the Singleton Local Government Area and they must be 16 to 26 years of age to be considered for the award.

Nominations need to demonstrate some or all of the following criteria:

  • Participates in the community
  • Active in youth issues
  • Is caring, compassionate and sharing
  • Shows vision
  • Takes the lead
  • Positive role model to peers
  • Accepts responsibility for self and others
  • Showed outstanding achievement in eg: academic, sporting, cultural, environment or civic responsibility

Nominate

Nominations for the 2024 Singleton Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year will open on 3 November 2023 and close on 24 November 2023.  The Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year will be announced at the Australia Day ceremony at the Singleton Civic Centre on 26 January 2024.

Click here to download the 2024 nomination form

2024 Award Ceremony

The official 2024 Singleton Australia Day ceremony will be held on 26 January 2024 at the Singleton Civic Centre.

  • Address by Australia Day Guest, Brian Doyle
  • Announcement of Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year
  • Citizenship Ceremony
 Livestream
 

 

Twilight - Australia Day Eve free community event

From 5.30pm | 25 January | Townhead Park
 
Roll out the picnic blanket on the green as we celebrate Australia Day in true Singleton style with plenty of free family fun. Celebrate being an Australian by kicking back and enjoying the sunset with family and friends in the Townhead Park precinct. 


Click here for more information

 

Previous Singleton Citizen of the Year award winners

2023 Citizen of the Year

Mick McCardle

Mick McCardle continually advocates for the needs of the Broke community and works tirelessly to support its residents in times of celebration and crisis.

After founding the Broke Residents Community Association (BRCA) in 2019, as President Mick has advocated and worked in partnership with Council to make significant improvements to the village including the development of the Broke footpath and cycleway project, and changes to speed limits to improve road safety.

Mick enthusiastically coordinates a range of community events including the monthly Broke markets, Winterfest and Christmas with the Neighbours. As an Army veteran, Mick partners with the Broke RFS to organize the Broke Anzac Day Memorial Service and Remembrance Day. Mick’s integrity of character and admirable sense of responsibility and community mindedness is further demonstrated by his contributions in the Broke 2022 flood recovery. He was instrumental in elevating Broke’s emergency readiness through fundraising appeals, supporting the establishment of the Broke Community-led Resilience Team (CRT) as Deputy, and campaigning for the new Emergency Warning System.

Mick’s role in coordinating events that brought the community together following the floods has been pivotal — from community BBQs to town meetings, Mick is determined to lead the Broke community on the pathway towards recovery. Mick’s leadership inspires those around him to step up for their community and be proud of where they live.

As a passionate advocate for community mental health, Mick also actively promotes and supports mental health organisations. 

2022 Citizen of the Year

Uncle Warren Taggert

Dedicated Aboriginal elder, Wanaruah Aboriginal Land Council Board Member and Wambo Coal Singleton Hall of Fame inductee, Uncle Warren Taggart has worked tirelessly to both preserve and share the rich history and culture of the Wanaruah, Wonnarua people, including conducting regular tours of the culturally significant Baiame Cave.

He is a long-time member of the Singleton Aboriginal Advisory Committee and has been instrumental in the organisation of NAIDOC Week activities as well as regularly delivering Welcome to Country at various events throughout the local government area.

Named the 2016 Elder of the Year (Male) at the Upper Hunter NAIDOC Awards, Warren is particularly passionate about educating children and authored a colouring book aimed at pre-schoolers, illustrated by his daughter Kerri-Ann. Warren also works tirelessly to keep people informed about his beautiful Wanaruah, Wonnarua country through social media, radio and TV interviews, university and TAFE talks.

2021 Citizen of the Year

Fred Turner

In hot and blustery conditions when the threat of bushfire escalates to reality, Fred Turner is among those heading towards the flames. The Rural Fire Service (RFS) Group Officer Hunter Valley has been a volunteer for almost forty years, starting out at Carrowbrook after taking over management of Lake St Clair.

Fred has since retired after 28 years overseeing the maintenance and operation of the lake, but his commitment to the RFS has only strengthened. 

He rose through the ranks to Group Officer, and now plays a commanding role in managing fires, usually from the bird’s-eye view of a helicopter. Fred has recently acquired an accredited air observer’s qualification, enabling him to direct the helicopter pilot using his own knowledge of the Singleton district.

If his job as Group Officer isn’t consuming enough, Fred has also found time over the last decade to dedicate to the Singleton Legacy Group (eight of those as Secretary), volunteers at the Australian Army Infantry Museum, is an honorary member of the Infantry Centre Sergeants Mess, and has been a member of the Singleton Lions Club and Singleton RSL Sub-Branch.