About the Awards

Each year in the lead up to Father’s Day, two distinguished awards – The Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year and the NSW Community Father of the Year – are given to two outstanding fathers in recognition of their achievements and contribution to family and community life.

The Australian Fathers Day Council has worked alongside The Shepherd Centre on this initiative for over a decade. The campaign raises awareness of the significant contribution that fathers have on the development of children, families and communities in Australia.

Both awards celebrate the vital role of fathers and raise awareness of the work of The Shepherd Centre, a not-for-profit organisation that helps children who are deaf and hearing impaired to listen and speak.

The Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year

For the past 53 years, The Australian Father’s Day Council has presented the Australian Father of the Year award to distinguished Australian fathers who are known to be devoted fathers and have also gained considerable acknowledgement for their career and leadership.

Former winners of this prestigious award include prime ministers, politicians, sportsmen and business leaders whom have maintained a strong relationship with their children and families despite their demanding professions.

Click here to view previous award winners.

Nominations for the Australian Father of the Year close on Friday 8 July 2011.

NSW Community Father of the Year

Just over 10 years ago, The Australian Father’s Day Council and Cumberland-Courier Newspapers introduced the NSW Community Father of the Year award to recognise the extraordinary efforts fathers put into their local communities and the special role they play in their children’s lives.

Nominations for the NSW Community Father of the Year closed on Friday 12 August 2011.