Judging criteria:

• Aged 26 years or older (at 1 July 2023)
• Has made a significant contribution to the Yarra community over the past year.
• Shows leadership and is a positive role model for others
• Supports community values, including:
  • Cultural harmony
  • Equality and equity
  • Concern for sustainability and the environment
  • Improve community health and wellbeing
• Contributions made by the nominee are on a voluntary basis or exceed the normal requirements of their paid work
• Must be a current Yarra resident. 

Judging criteria:

• Aged between 12 and 25 years (at 1 July 2023)
• Has made a significant contribution and/or given outstanding service to the Yarra community over the past year.
• Shows leadership and is a positive role model to other young people in the community
• Supports community values, including:
  
  • Cultural harmony
  • Equality and equity
  • Concern for sustainability and the environment
  • Improve community health and wellbeing
• Must be a current Yarra resident.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual, group of people, event, campaign or movement
• Initiative has made an outstanding contribution to the Yarra community over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community with measured benefits
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work
• Encourages ongoing change within the community.

This category recognises contributions to the thriving and evolving creative experience in Yarra. Yarra is home to a range of vibrant arts communities, whether it’s visual arts, music, dance, theatre or another creative discipline. We’re proud of the dynamic arts activities occurring in Yarra all year round that our residents and visitors enjoy and embrace.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual or group
• Recipient has made a significant contribution to one of the listed categories in the Yarra community over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community in their chosen field
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work.

This category recognises contributions to organised sport and encouraging physical activity in Yarra. Being active is an important part of Yarra life. We encourage physical activity as a part of everyday life for people of all ages and abilities.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual or group
• Recipient has made a significant contribution to sports in the Yarra community over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community in their chosen field
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work.

This category recognises contributions to the protection and enhancement of Yarra's history. Yarra has a rich history and is home to a number of historical buildings and sites that are of interest and value to the community.

Heritage can relate to tangible features such as buildings, precincts, landscapes, streetscapes, archaeological sites, objects, collections and records, or to intangible elements such as cultural practices, stories, traditions, folklore and other knowledge that is inherited over generations.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual or group
• Recipient has made a significant contribution to heritage in Yarra over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community in their chosen field
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work.

This category recognises contributions made by a group or an individual initiating a project, program or activity that delivers genuine and measurable action in direct response to the climate emergency or an environmental issue relevant to Yarra.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual or group
• Recipient has made a significant contribution to sustainability in Yarra over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community in their chosen field
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work.

This category recognises contributions to making sure that all people can participate in community life in Yarra. We value our diversity, where people of all ages, genders, sexualities, abilities, incomes, educations, languages, cultures and backgrounds feel welcome and connected.

Judging criteria:

• Can be presented to an individual or group
• Recipient has made a significant contribution to diversity and inclusion in Yarra over the past year
• Demonstrates service to the community in their chosen field
• Significant volunteer involvement or exceeds the normal requirements of paid work.