Australia Day Awards now open online

Nominations have opened for Newcastle's 2018 Australia Day Awards and online entries mean the process has never been easier.

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes said the city was looking for inspirational role models to be nominated for Newcastle's Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year.

Traditional hard-copy nomination forms can be downloaded from Newcastle City Council's website, but for the first time, they can also be completed and lodged online.

"These awards recognise an individual's or group's outstanding achievements and contribution to the community," Cr Nelmes said.

"This could be in the through arts, science, engineering, sports or any other field of endeavour. The aim is not just to award people with high profiles - we also want to hear about the quiet achievers who work tirelessly and often thanklessly to make the world a better place."

Last year's Citizen of the Year was Newcastle refugee advocate Sister Diana Santleben. Previous winners include wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley, Renew Newcastle founder Marcus Westbury and former University of Newcastle Chancellor and clinical psychologist Professor Trevor Waring.

"Nominating someone is simple, so we want to see as many worthy people as possible nominated and considered for these annual awards," Cr Nelmes said.

Nominees must be residents of the Newcastle local government area, except for Community Group of the Year which can be from outside the LGA in exceptional circumstances.

They must be Australian citizens and must be turning at least 16 years of age in 2018.

A panel of judges will consider each nomination on its merits, with the awards presented at a ceremony on Australia Day, 2018.

Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 11 December.