Civic Services, Awards & Recognition

Cabonne Council celebrates community spirit through its Australia Day events, which include local award presentations, community gatherings, and welcoming new residents through Citizenship Ceremonies. The Council also recognises and nurtures young local achievers through its Youth of the Month program, which honours individuals aged up to 24 for their academic, sporting, leadership, and community contributions, with monthly winners considered for the role of Youth Ambassador who participates in Australia Day celebrations the following year.

Australia Day

Cabonne’s Australia Day celebrations highlight the shire’s strong sense of community, local pride, and commitment to recognising those who contribute positively to the region. Celebrations are typically community-focused events held across towns and villages, providing opportunities for residents to come together, connect, and reflect on what it means to live and belong in Cabonne.

The Mayor, alongside representative councillors, attends community events across the shire on the day, reinforcing Council’s connection with local communities. Two main official party events are held in different towns or villages, serving as focal points for the celebrations and bringing together residents, community leaders, and invited representatives.

A central feature of Australia Day in Cabonne is the formal recognition of outstanding local achievements. The day is supported by a Cabonne Ambassador and Youth Ambassador, who represent the shire and play an important role in assisting with award presentations and community engagement. These representatives help acknowledge and celebrate award recipients across several categories, including Young Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Community Group of the Year.

In addition, Cabonne’s Shire Awards are presented as part of the celebrations, recognising excellence and dedication in key areas of community life. These awards include Cabonne Sportsperson of the Year, Cabonne Environmental Champion of the Year, and the Cabonne Youth Ambassador. Together, these honours reflect the diverse ways individuals and groups contribute to the wellbeing, sustainability, and vibrancy of the Cabonne region.

Citizenship Ceremonies

To become an Australian Citizen you first need to contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) via the Citizenship Information line on 131880 or at www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi

If eligible you are then required to fill in and lodge an application form, pay a fee and attend a short interview. You will be contacted by letter from DIBP advising you that your application has been approved. If you are a resident of Cabonne Council will we contact you advising the date and time of your ceremony. Once you attend your ceremony and receive your certificate you are a Citizen of Australia.

Role of Cabonne Council

The role of Cabonne Council is to perform the Citizenship Ceremony on behalf of DIBP for candidates who are residents in the Cabonne Local Government Area. We can only perform the ceremony for the approved applicants notified to us by DIBP. Cabonne Council cannot process or lodge your application and cannot add you to a list for a ceremony.

The Citizenship Ceremony

You will be contacted by Cabonne Council when DIBP have notified us that you are ready to undertaken the a citizenship ceremony. Ceremonies are held on an "as needed" basis and we try to fit in with your schedule as much as possible. Ceremonies are performed by the Mayor at the Council Chambers in Molong. Alternatively we can arrange to have the ceremony in your local area as part of an Australia Day celebration. Ceremonies take about 20 mins and you are welcome to bring guests.

Candidates are required to take a pledge of commitment in English and receive a Certificate of Citizenship. The pledge is an important part of the ceremony and reads:

"From this time forward, under God *

I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,

whose Democratic beliefs I share,

whose rights and liberties I respect,

and whose laws I will uphold and obey."

*New citizens have the option on their application to take the pledge in the form of an oath, which includes the words 'under God', or in the form of an affirmation, which does not.

Once you have made the pledge you will be presented with your certificate of Australian citizenship. The certificate is provided to all new citizens as legal proof of their Australian citizenship.

Youth of the Month Program

Cabonne Council welcomes nominations for the Youth of the Month Program. These awards were initiated as an incentive and recognition of young achievers who are so important to the future of Cabonne.

The presentation of the monthly award occurs at the start of the Ordinary Council meeting, generally on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Nominations are encouraged from school teachers, members of the community, sporting coaches, employers and friends. The winner receives a Cabonne T-shirt, a certificate and a reference from the Mayor. They will also then be considered for the position of Youth Ambassador for the following year's Australia Day Celebrations.

To be eligible for this award the following criteria must be met:

Essential Criteria
• Age - school age up to 24 years of age.
• Scholastic achievements
• Sporting achievements
• Community involvement
• Leadership skills and abilities
• Significance of achievement in broader community
Desirable Criteria
• Exceptional achievements which may inspire others
• Level of altruism of the achievements ie not for themselves but for others

For any enquiries, please call (02) 6392 3200 and ask for the Administration Officer, or click on the link below to submit a nomination form.

Youth of the Month Nomination Form (download and print)

Click here to view form.