Citizens in the Gunnedah Shire have until January 11 to get their nominations in with the winners to be announced at a special dinner on January 25.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said while there will be a COVID management plan in place, the award ceremony will still be going ahead as usual next year.

"We have all of the same nomination categories as per last year, with an addition this year of the Environmental Citizen of the Year award," he told the Namoi Valley Independent.

"This is a new category that's open to all ages, and that's come from feedback from our community as one they've encouraged us to add to the ceremony."

Councillor Chaffey said every year there are so many people in the community that look forward to nominating someone as a way of saying thank you.

"We always get plenty of nominations but we do encourage individuals and community groups who see people doing extraordinary things [to nominate]," he said.

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"Because we also include some of the sports categories - sportsperson of the year, junior sportsperson, junior sporting teams of the year - so it's quite a good event.

"Normally these are humble people who don't do it for reward or to be recognised but sometimes it's good just to encourage those people to continue to do the good work that they do.

"It's great for young people to see that as an encouragement for them to get involved as well."

Gunnedah Shire Council's Australia Day Awards categories for 2021:

Nominate now online, or pick up a physical copy from the Gunnedah Shire Library at the Cultural Precinct or the Gunnedah Shire Council Administration Building.

Tickets for the Australia Day Awards dinner are available at www.thecivic.com.au.