Do you know a local hero? They could be right under your nose: that volunteer from the cricket club or maybe your GP or teacher. What better way to say thank you, than nominating them for an Australia Day Award.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is asking you to nominate a local hero for its annual Australia Day Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the community.

The annual awards have five categories:

• Citizen of the Year;
• Young Citizen of the Year;
• Volunteer of the Year;
• Organisation of the Year; and
• Jack Mundey Environment and Heritage Award.

The previous Citizen of the Year Award went to Dale Donadel, manager of Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre who said community service is a big part of her life.

“The other day I went to a birthday party and someone said, ‘do you have your car nearby?’ And we exchanged things from our car boots for a garage sale we’re running. It becomes your life,” she said.

Mayor Khal Asfour said after another challenging year there were many community champions, like Dale, who should be thanked.

“We’ve had a really difficult year, and we’ve made it through thanks to a lot of selfless and community-minded people: young, old, individuals and groups,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Now’s the time to reflect and nominate someone who’s made a big difference to the people around them.

“When I think of our awards, I think of the kind of person who has community spirit and loves helping others.”

Ms Donadel’s advice is to look for people who’ve made an impact.

“Look around and acknowledge and recognise people who have made Canterbury-Bankstown what it is today,” she said.

Nominations for the Australia Day Awards close on Tuesday 30 November.

For more information and to nominate, visit cb.city/AustraliaDayAwards