Darebin Community Awards

The annual Darebin Community Awards recognise individuals and groups that have made an outstanding contribution to the Darebin community. Nominations are submitted by the community each year to celebrate Darebin's local heroes.

The nomination window has now closed for the 2025 Darebin Community Awards.

Awards Presentation Evening

The Darebin Community Awards 2025 Presentation Evening will take place on Sunday 9 November from 6.30pm at Narrandjeri Stadium, Thornbury. The evening will begin with light refreshments and the opportunity to mingle with fellow guests. We'll then enjoy some entertainment, followed by the presentation of the awards in each category.

The event is open to the public: everyone is welcome to attend, to help us celebrate all our wonderful nominees. 

Registrations are strongly encouraged so that we can ensure adequate catering and access support. 

Register now

Award categories

Key dates

• Awards Ceremony: 9 November 2025 

Judging criteria for community awards

Nominations for each award are judged by the Darebin Community Awards Committee. Judging is based on the following overall criteria:

1. Desire for prosperity with a 'share for all' attitude
2. Contribution to the cultural diversity of the community
3. Community values and support systems
4. Equality and equity
5. Demonstrates and exemplifies the highest standards in ethical behaviours and integrity
6. Concern for sustainability and the environment.

Additional category judging criteria

Citizen of the Year, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award

• Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the community
• Undertakes activities that have short and long term benefits for others
• Is celebrated as a positive role model
• Demonstrates leadership and courage
• Undertakes activities that promote the welfare and wellbeing of the community
• Contributions made by nominee have either been done on a voluntary basis or exceed the normal requirements of the person’s paid work.

Young Citizen of the Year, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Emerging Young Leader of the Year and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Emerging Young Leader of the Year

• Participates in the community
• Active in youth issues
• Is caring, compassionate and sharing
• Demonstrates leadership and courage
• Positive role model to peers
• Accepts responsibility for self and others
• Shows outstanding achievement in either academic, sporting, cultural, environment or civic life.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Elder Community Leader of the Year

• Demonstrated commitment to working closely and in partnership with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and organisations
• Undertakes activities that address the emerging needs and priorities of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities

Community Group of the Year

• Sustained achievements of the group with measurable benefit to the broader community
• Service to the community
• Significant volunteer involvement
• Target community of the group nominated
• Achievements of the group reflect the values of Darebin Community Awards as set out above

Sustainability Award

• A sustainability champion awarded to either a group or an individual
• Delivering a project, program or activity which delivers genuine and measurable action in direct response to climate emergency
• Responding to an environmental issue relevant to Darebin
• Actively engages the local community.

More information

Bronwyn Ryan-Mercer, Senior Producer
Phone: 03 8470 8551
Email: Bronwyn.Ryan-Mercer@darebin.vic.gov.au