Australia Day Award recipients in Douglas Shire will be recognised in front of an online audience for the first time.

Due to current health advice around the predicted Queensland COVID-19 peak, the awards ceremony will not be held in-person on Australia Day.

Instead, Douglas Shire Council will publish a pre-recorded video from 10am on January 26. All residents will be able to join in the celebrations and watch the pre-recorded presentation via Douglas Shire Council’s website and Facebook page on Australia Day.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the video would provide an opportunity for everyone to recognise our most dedicated citizens.

“We asked for Douglas Shire to nominate a local legend and we received an outstanding response,” he said.

“Although the awards ceremony will be presented differently this year, we are going to make sure our most dedicated citizens get the acknowledgement they deserve.

“Douglas Shire has felt the impact of the pandemic these past two years, so it is truly heartwarming to look down the list of names and see the amazing work of these individuals.”

The seven award categories for 2022 are:

1. Citizen of the Year
   
   
2. Young Citizen of the Year
   
   
3. Volunteer of the Year
   
   
4. Arts and Cultural Award
   
   
5. Environmental Achievement Award
   
   
6. Senior Sports
   
   
7. Junior Sports Award

A full list of all the nominees and winners from across the region will also be featured in the next edition of the quarterly Your Douglas Newsletter in March this year.

A restricted Citizenship Ceremony will be held at Port Douglas Community Hall on Australia Day from 9.30am. There will be no BBQ breakfast this year.

Mayor Kerr said the changes to the ceremonies were made to keep the community safe.

“Council’s role is to protect our community which is why we made the difficult decision to host closed awards this year,” he said.

“Douglas Shire has done such a fantastic job in getting vaccinated, with almost 90% of our population receiving their second dose and protecting our community’s most vulnerable.

“I look forward to resuming our normal award ceremony next year.”

Follow Council’s Facebook page to be updated when the ceremony video goes live.