Citizen of the Year for 2019 Alan Lean said receiving the award had been a humbling, and emotional experience.

"What I did in the community, I always did in association with my wife," Mr Lean said.

"Unfortunately Kaye passed away last year, and so I was nominated without her being there, but it has given me a chance this year to share our story.

"It has been a wonderful experience, and it has been cathartic."

Mr Lean said Wagga is a beautiful community, and it's time to celebrate that.

Phil Hoey, the Citizen of the Year for 2018, said there are countless people out there working hard to make the world and better place.

"There are a lot of people in the community who deserve the award of citizen of the year if we can just get people to come out of the woods and nominate them," Mr Hoey said.

"They are doing fantastic work, and we want to see them recognised for what they are achieving."

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Wagga mayor Greg Conkey officially launched the awards Thursday at the Victory Memorial Gardens.

"There are many community members who make outstanding contributions to our city and villages in various capacities and for many causes,' he said.

"Now is the time for community groups and individuals to come forward and nominate our local champions who selflessly give their time and effort to making our communities a better place to live, work and play.

"The annual Australia Day Awards are a fantastic way to recognise those people and groups."

Nominations for the 2020 Australia Day Awards are now open across five categories - Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (27 and younger), Walk of Honour Award, the Ted Ryder Sports Memorial Award for contribution to administration in sport, and Environmental Citizen of the Year.

Councillor Conkey said the Environmental Citizen award aims to recognise outstanding efforts by individuals or organisations to preserve the environment, reduce litter and improve recycling, or use the Return and Earn scheme in an innovative way to fundraise for a meaningful cause.

The winners will be announced at the 2020 Australia Day awards ceremony.

If you know of someone deserving of recognition, visit wagqga.nsw.gov.au/australiaday or contact 1300 292 442 for more information.

Nominations close November 22 at 5pm.