Australia Day will look a little different in Hobsons Bay this year, with no citizen awards ceremony being held.
Since 1997, the Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year has been announced at Williamstown Town Hall on 26 January, but following a review recommending broader community recognition, council endorsed a new awards program at its last meeting of 2025 in December.
The inaugural Hobsons Bay Community Recognition Awards will now be held during National Volunteer Week celebrations in May and rather than just two awards, will feature six: helping others; change maker; sporting spirit; community strengthening; young leader and community leader.
“We’re looking forward to better recognising the great work being done in our community by expanding our awards program in 2026,” a spokesperson for Hobsons Bay council said.
“The new-look Hobsons Bay Community Recognition Awards, which will be officially launched in the coming weeks, will highlight the achievements of community organisations, leaders and volunteers who make a positive impact on our community.”
Nominations for the new awards will open in March and close in April.
The move brings Hobsons Bay in line with many other councils that have already transitioned from stand-alone ‘citizen of the year’ awards programs. Among them is Maribyrnong council whose annual civic awards have nine categories.
Nominations for this year’s Maribyrnong Civic Awards have already closed and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in either March or April.
Williamstown Town Hall will still host citizenship ceremonies on Monday January 26.
