The awards are designed to celebrate the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians whose deeds inspire people around the country.

There are four award categories: Australian of the Year, Senior of the Year (65 years and over), Young Australian (16 to 30 years) and Australia’s Local Hero.

National Australia Day Council chairman Ben Roberts-Smith encouraged the public to get involved and nominate people who are worthy of attention.

“It only takes one nomination for an individual to be in the running for the awards, but they must be nominated,” he said.

“Don’t assume someone you know of may have been nominated already – if we don’t receive a nomination for someone, we can’t consider them for the awards.

“[They might be] volunteers, charity founders, advocates for those in need, people who’ve overcome their own challenges to help others, pioneers who’ve made a difference, young people looking to create a brighter future and achievers with a sense of community. 

“Most of all, they are one of us.”

Fairfax Media, publisher of the Ararat Advertiser and Stawell Times-News, is a media partner with the Australian of the Year awards. 

The awards’ principal partner is the Commonwealth Bank.

This year’s Australian of the Year award winners are: former army chief David Morrison; Professor Gordian Fulde, the director of Emergency at St Vincent’s Hospital and Sydney Hospital (Senior Australian), Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, who founded a mobile laundry service for the homeless (Young Australians), and arts writer and literary editor Catherine Keenan (Local Hero).

Nominations can be made online at australianoftheyear.org.au until midnight August 7.

If you don’t have access to the internet, you can call the National Australia Day Council on (02) 6120 0600 for assistance to submit a nomination.