Nominations for the annual awards opened on Tuesday and will close on Monday November 22, with winners to be announced at a ceremony on January 25.

Five awards up for grabs include the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and the Environmental Citizen of the Year Award.

The awards recognise those who made a difference over the year, and rely on nominations submitted by fellow community members.

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Citizen of the Year for 2021 Belinda Crain encouraged locals to put someone forward for the award.

"I would encourage everyone to nominate someone that they think is deserving because there are many people out there who are," she said.

Young Citizen of the Year Clare Lawlor also called on people to put someone forward, saying a nomination could encourage more people to pitch in and help out.

"I would wholeheartedly recommend everyone and anyone recommend people they can think of," she said. "It is so nice to get that little surprise and recognition, and we need to nominate others to encourage people to keep doing things a bit more."

Councillor Conkey said the ceremony is an important day for recognising citizens going above and beyond.

"These people have made a significant contribution to the city, and this is the one time of the year that we can recognise their achievements and what they have done for this city," he said.

Applications can be made online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/australiaday.

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