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                    Enter the awards

                    Interior of town hall set up for gala awards ceremony
                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Are you ready to share your story?

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Melbourne Awards are free to enter and any person or group that makes a difference to our city is encouraged to apply. Applications are now open until 21 June 2024.​​​


                    Why enter?​

                    • Share your story and inspire others. 
                    • Build relationships with others in the community. Who knows, you might meet your next mentor, ambassador, business partner or investor.   
                    • Receive valuable feedback and advice from experts from a range of different industries. 
                    • Be recognised for what you do as part of a fun, inspiring event that celebrates the best of our city. 

                    Key dates 

                    • Applications open:  20 May 2024 
                    • Applications close:  21 June 2024 
                    • Judging interviews:  3 to 19 September 2024 
                    • Finalists announced: 23 October 2024 
                    • Melbourne Awards Gala:  9 November 2024 

                    How to enter 

                    All participants are required to submit their entry under a single award category that best aligns with the nature of their submission. Please select the award category and register your details via this website. 

                    Entrants must complete a submission by answering each section of the selection criteria for their nominated award category. 

                    ​Award categories and selection criteria 

                    All participants are required to submit their entry under a single award category that best aligns with the nature of their submission. You can’t enter the same project in multiple categories. Find details below of each award category and the selection criteria for each.

                    Aboriginal Melbourne - ganbu guljin Award

                    ​This award recognises projects and initiatives that positively impact and celebrate the lives of the Aboriginal community in Melbourne. This may include initiatives that promote cultural understanding, improve community relations, or provide support to the Aboriginal community, while acknowledging Melbourne as a place that was, is, and continues to be an Aboriginal place.  

                    Projects and organisations need not be wholly Aboriginal-owned and managed but will need to demonstrate Aboriginal engagement and co-design in the set up and concept to be eligible for this award.  

                    ganbu guljin means ‘one mob’ in the Woi Wurrung language. The name is intended to better recognise the important work of Aboriginal communities. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Aboriginal Melbourne - ganbu guljin Award selection criteria (PDF 252 KB) 

                    Aboriginal Melbourne - ganbu guljin Award selection criteria (DOCX 40 KB) ​

                    Access and Inclusion Award

                    ​Melbourne prides itself on being a city for everyone and places great importance on the contribution made by people living with a disability, and all who are committed to reducing barriers to access and participation. 

                    This award recognises projects and initiatives that have significantly reduced access and participation barriers. This might be achieved through advocacy and education, an event or program that promotes inclusion or a project that improves access or social connection. 

                    The City of Melbourne, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recognises the definition of disability as including long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, may hinder a person’s right to full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    ​Access and Inclusion selection criteria (PDF 214 KB) ​

                    Access and Inclusion selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​

                    Arts and Events Award

                    ​Melbourne is internationally renowned for its thriving arts sector. This award recognises excellence in this field in driving visitation numbers and increasing the profile and reputation of Melbourne as a cultural capital. 

                    Projects can come from any field of Arts and Events, from festivals to photographic exhibitions and performance venues, as well as projects supporting artists to live and work in our city. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Arts and Events Award selection criteria (PDF 214 KB) ​

                    Arts and Events Award selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​

                    City Design Award

                    ​The City Design Award recognises design excellence across the disciplines of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design. 

                    Introduced in 2019, the award celebrates recently completed projects that have made a positive contribution to the unique character and experience of the city. The Award considers project innovation and impact in elevating City Design’s priorities of a Health City, a Sustainability City and an Aboriginal City. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    City Design selection criteria (PDF 225 KB) 

                    City Design selection criteria (DOCX 34 KB) ​

                    Community Award

                    ​This award celebrates organisations and individuals who are delivering projects or activities that enhance the lives and wellbeing of residents and workers through community services or volunteer work. This may include the development of education, youth or community programs that promote understanding or provide support and positive outcomes for disadvantaged, at-risk or vulnerable people in the community. 

                    Also eligible are programs or initiatives that have engaged residents, brought people together, raised funds or increased community health and wellbeing. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Community Award selection criteria (PDF 213 KB) 

                    Community Award selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) 

                    Knowledge and Innovation Award

                    ​Melbourne’s thriving knowledge sector is internationally renowned and accounts for a significant proportion of employment in the municipality. This category recognises the innovations and progressive ideas that form the core of this sector, helping to shape our city’s bright future. 

                    Projects and innovations to be celebrated can include: medical innovations, digital or non-digital knowledge or innovation projects, providing opportunities for knowledge growth within Melbourne, and organisations whose aim is to benefit the community through emerging technology.   

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Knowledge and Innovation Award selection criteria (PDF 213 KB) 

                    ​Knowledge and Innovation Award selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​

                    LGBTIQA+ Award

                    ​Melbourne is proud to be a city for all people. This award recognises and celebrates organisations and individuals who support and promote the LGBTIQA+ community.  

                    Applications are welcomed from those who have made an incredible contribution to LGBTIQA+ inclusion or interests. Examples could include excellence in representing or advocating on behalf of the LGBTIQA+ community, celebrating diversity such as through art or events or speaking up, improving workplace inclusion, leading or delivering a health and wellbeing initiative or a project that improves social connection and participation for the local LGBTIQA+ community.  

                    LGBTIQA+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and gender diverse, Intersex and Queer and questioning.  We acknowledge that many diverse and distinct communities fall within this umbrella term and use it respectfully as a collective address. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    LGBTIQA+ Award selection criteria (PDF 214 KB) 

                    LGBTIQA+ Award selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​​

                    Sustainability Award

                    ​This award celebrates projects or activities that create a more sustainable city through advancements in sustainable innovation and design, or the development of new sustainable projects or programs. 

                    Examples include projects that have made positive contributions to the environment such as waste reduction, water conservation, carbon efficiencies or increased the uptake of renewable energy. Also eligible are initiatives that change community behaviour or educate, connect and inspire others. 

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Sustainability Award selection criteria (PDF 212 KB) 

                    Sustainability Award selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​

                    Melburnian of the Year Award

                    ​The Melburnian of the Year is an inspirational role model who has made an outstanding contribution to the city in their chosen field, as well as a significant impact to the Melbourne community.

                    Nominate or apply in this award.  

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Melburnian of the Year selection criteria (PDF 209 KB) 

                    Melburnian of the Year selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​​

                    Young Melburnian of the Year Award

                    ​The Young Melburnian of the Year celebrates the achievements and successes of a young person aged between 18 and 30 years, who has a demonstrated desire for excellence, has an exemplary influence and positive effect on the community. 

                    Nominate or apply in this award.  

                    Read the selection criteria: 

                    Young Melburnian of the Year selection criteria (PDF 212 KB) ​

                    Young Melburnian of the Year selection criteria (DOCX 32 KB) ​​

                    Key dates

                    Applications open:  20 May 2024

                    Applications close:  21 June 2024

                    Judging interviews:  3 to 19 September 2024

                    Finalists announced: 23 October 2024

                    Melbourne Awards Gala:  9 November 2024​

                    Why enter the Awards?

                    Enter your organisation to: 

                    • be recognised as an inspirational leader creating positive change in Melbourne. 
                    • raise your public profile through increased publicity and media exposure to promote your cause or project. 
                    • establish relationships with prominent senior business leaders in Melbourne, many of whom often become ambassadors for the inspiring achievements and projects they witness.

                    All finalists will be invited to attend a curated workshop by our partner, Ernst and Young and two tickets to attend the Gala ceremony where the winners are announced.

                    The winners will be presented with an exclusive prize pack and a private meet and greet with the Lord Mayor.

                    Testimonials

                    Transfamily, 2022 Melbourne Award winner – LGBTIQ+​

                    “Transfamily is a peer support group for family, partners, friends and loved ones of trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. Run by a passionate and active volunteer group who all have lived experience of a loved one who is TDG, Transfamily was delighted to receive the 2022 LGBTIQ+ Melbourne Award. This recognition has helped us to increase our profile and reach, so that those who respect the personal decision of TGD people but have questions or are seeking support as their loved one transitions, are aware of the compassionate, inclusive help that is available to them through Transfamily.” 

                    Kensington Neigbourhood House – 2022 Melbourne Award winner - Communit​y 

                    “The whole 2022 Melbourne Awards process was fantastic. It was a great way for our organization to reflect on our contribution to Melbourne, and to share our impact with a wider audience. Winning the community category was fantastic! It was wonderful recognition for our staff, volunteers and program participants, and it helped raise the profile of neighbourhood houses everywhere and the amazing work they do. We’ve made some excellent contacts through the Melbourne Awards and I’d encourage any community organisations out there to apply. It was such an uplifting experience.” 

                    - ​Rebecca Smith, Manager – Kensington Neighbourhood House

                    ​Judging process  

                    All submissions will be assessed through a judging process that is fair, transparent and independent of the City of Melbourne. Our judging panel is made up of respected and accomplished people from a broad range of industries. Judges will decide on the finalists in each category and the final winners will be announced at a Gala Awards Ceremony held at Melbourne Town Hall in November. 

                    All finalists will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the ceremony. Additional tickets can be purchased closer to the event. 

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