Playford Alive is calling for the community to recognise their local heroes with nominations opening for the Local Heroes Awards.

Renewal SA’s Acting Project Director – Playford Alive, Mark Collins said the awards play a crucial role in recognising local hardworking members of the community who may otherwise go unrecognised.

“The unrivalled events of this year, firstly with the bushfires and now the pandemic, have demonstrated just how incredibly important it is to acknowledge those who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the community,” he said.

“The awards also provide us with a unique opportunity to demonstrate how community mindedness and forward-thinking initiatives can elevate a place and contribute to its growth and development, making it more liveable, desirable and accessible.”

There are six award categories this year that are open to individuals, groups and organisations who are actively involved in giving back to their community.

The Playford Alive project partners acknowledge that 2020 has been a particularly difficult year, both locally and nationally, first with the disastrous bushfires followed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

In light of this, some award categories have been slightly modified and a new award category for 2020 only has been introduced to recognise the outstanding role of frontline workers during such unprecedented times.

The Best Frontline Worker Award aims to honour a resident or worker in the Playford Alive area who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and work ethic in a frontline capacity, either in a paid or volunteer role, during a year of extraordinary challenges.

This year’s awards also have a special focus on innovation – either at an individual, business or community level – and the efforts of vocational or trade high school students, trainees and apprentices.

City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty encourages the community to get involved and recognise their local unsung heroes.

“Playford Alive wouldn’t be the wonderful area it is to live, work and play without the incredible generosity of its community members, who donate their time, skills and energy so willingly,” he said.

“It’s times like these, when the community has faced unpredictably harsh impacts, that we need to stand up and recognise those who have lifted us up and enhanced our wellbeing and prosperity.”

Making a nomination

The Playford Alive Local Heroes Awards recognise community and business achievements in the Playford Alive project area (Munno Para, Smithfield Plains, Davoren Park, Andrews Farm and Eyre) that have taken place over the last 12 months (1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020).

Submissions will be evaluated by the Playford Alive Initiatives Fund Board, which comprises representatives from Renewal SA, South Australian Housing Authority and City of Playford.

The Playford Alive Local Heroes Awards are brought to you by the Playford Alive project partners – Renewal SA, City of Playford and South Australian Housing Authority, along with award sponsors Alexander Symonds, Lighthouse Disability, Rivergum Homes, T&J Constructions and Boral.

Local Heroes Awards submissions open 1 July 2020 and close 31 August 2020.

An awards evening to announce the winners is currently planned to take place in October, however this event may operate a little differently to previous years depending on the COVID-19 health and safety measures in place at that time. Irrespective of social distancing restrictions, all award winners will be publicly celebrated for their achievements. Further details to follow.

For more information on the award categories and how to nominate someone in your community, visit Playford Alive’s website.