Western Australian of the Year Awards

The Western Australian of the Year Awards, formerly the WA Citizen of the Year Awards, have been renamed in 2012 to reflect their position as the State's highest honour and to coincide with the new, more contemporary Western Australia Day (formerly Foundation Day).

The awards recognise the highest level of contribution made to Western Australia by those born or raised in WA, or those who have chosen to make Western Australia their home.

In 2012, the award categories have also been streamlined and now include:

• Youth
• Business and Professions
• Community
• Arts and Culture
• Indigenous
• Sport.

The Western Australian of the Year will be selected from the winners of the individual categories and Celebrate WA will then submit the winner for consideration to the Australian of the Year awards.

The Western Australian of the Year awards are managed by Celebrate WA, and were first presented in 1973 by Celebrate WA's predecessor, the Western Australia Week Council. Celebrate WA is a leadership organisation that has applauded and recognised outstanding Western Australians for 40 years.