Local Government Honours Program

The Honours Program recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements and lasting contributions made by Elected Member and officers to their respective Local Government, the Local Government sector, WALGA and the wider community.

The Honours Panel was established by State Council as an independent group to provide a fair, unbiased and depoliticised process for the administration of the annual Local Government Honours Program.

2025 Honours Categories

  • Local Government Medal
    • For exceptional service, achievements and contributions of the highest degree in service of the Local Government sector.
  • WALGA Life Membership
    • For outstanding service and contribution to WALGA.
  • Troy Pickard Young Achievers Awards
    • For noteworthy contributions to Local Government, demonstrated leadership and commitment to professional development.
  • Eminent Service Award
    • For eminent service and distinguished contributions to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.
  • Merit Award
    • For notable service and contributions to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.

Download the information pack

Looking for inspiration? Check out preivous year's award recipients below.

Learn more about last year's recipients

2025 Award Criteria

For exceptional service, achievements and contributions of the highest degree in service of the Local Government sector.

Award Criteria

Presented in recognition of:

  • Exceptional service, achievements and contributions to the Local Government sector.
  • Contributions of high significance to the community through Local Government.
  • Sustained championing of the Local Government sector and the advancement of the position and value of WALGA and Local Government within the wider community.

The Award:

  • Local Government Medal, framed certificate and WALGA lapel pin.
  • Complimentary registration at all future WA Local Government Conventions (not including travel, accommodation, meals or functions).
  • Automatic nomination for Australian Honours / Western Australia Week Awards.

For outstanding service and contribution to WALGA.

Award Criteria

Presented in recognition of:

  • Outstanding service and contributions to WALGA and its Members over a long period of time.
  • Representation of WALGA with distinction.

The Award

  • Framed certificate and WALGA lapel pin.
  • Complimentary registration at all future WA Local Government Conventions (not including travel, accommodation, meals or functions).

For eminent service and distinguished contributions to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.

Award Criteria

Presented in recognition of:

  • Significant and distinguished participation and contribution to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.
  • Demonstrated record of leadership and commitment to Local Government.

The Award:

  • Framed certificate.

For notable service and contributions to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.

Award Criteria
Presented in recognition of:
  • Notable contributions and service to WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.
  • Potential for ongoing participation and leadership in WALGA, Local Government and/or the Local Government sector.
The Award:
  • Framed certificate.

For noteworthy contributions to Local Government, demonstrated leadership and commitment to professional development.

Eligibility Requirements
This award is restricted to nominees aged 35 years or younger as of 31 December 2025.

Please note: due to the age requirement for this award, the Panel’s decision to present an award to a Nominee is conditional upon verification of the Nominee’s date of birth by the Secretariat. Successful Nominees may be contacted directly by the Secretariat and asked to provide a copy of their ID.

Award Criteria
Presented in recognition of:
  • Notable contributions to Local Government.
  • Demonstrated ability to make sustained and significant contributions to Local Government.
  • Demonstrated leadership.
  • Commitment to ongoing self-development and professional learning.
The Award:
  • Framed certificate.
  • Complimentary registration at the 2025 WA Local Government Convention (not including travel, accommodation, meals or functions).

Frequently Asked Questions

Nominations for all awards within the Honours Program can be made by either a Member Local Government or a State Councillor.

All nomination forms must be signed by the person nominating (the Nominator) and a second person supporting the nomination (the Co-Nominator).

For nominations of Elected Members by Member Local Governments, the Nominator and Co-Nominator must be an Elected Member or CEO of the Local Government.

For nominations of Officers by Member Local Governments, the Nominator and Co-Nominator must be an Elected Member, CEO or Executive Director/Manager (direct report to the CEO) of the Local Government.

For nominations made by a State Councillor, the Co-Nominator must be another State Councillor or an Elected Member or the CEO from the Nominee's Local Government.

All Local Government Elected Member and Officers are eligible for nomination for all award categories. 

The Troy Pickard Young Achievers Award is restricted to nominees aged 35 years or younger as of 31 December 2025

Nominations will not be accepted for persons who have retired or ceased working for Local Government at or before 31 December 2022.

Please complete the nomination form and submit together with a profile of the Nominee, which considers the award criteria and a photograph of the Nominee.

Nominators are welcome to submit as part of their nomination any documents which they consider provides support to the substance of the nomination (that is, goes towards the award criteria). This may include newspaper clippings, certificates, or letters of recommendation.

Nominations will close at 5:00pm on Friday, 18 April 2025. Any nominations or supporting information received after this date will not be accepted or considered by the Honours Panel.

The Honours Panel will meet after the nominations closing date to adjudicate in the selection of Honours recipients.

The criteria listed for each award forms the basis for the selection of recipients and will be applied in the selection process. When deliberating, the Honours Panel considers the nomination in its entirety, with reference to the eligibility and criteria for each award. The Panel also has the discretion to give a different award to the Nominee than the award for which they were nominated.

Nominees will only be notified if they are successful. Nominators and Co-Nominators will also be notified of the outcome of their nomination, whether successful or unsuccessful. All correspondence will be primarily via the email address provided on the nomination form.

We request you treat the nomination process with discretion and sensitivity.
2024 awards

Further information and enquiries

If you have any questions or need more inforamation, please reach out to Meghan Dwyer, Executive Officer Governance by phone on (08) 9213 2050 or email below.

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