BENDIGO launched the Regional Achievement and Community Awards on Wednesday morning.
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The awards aim to highlight and reward the contribution individuals, groups, businesses and organisations make towards building a stronger community.
Regional Achievement and Community Awards director Geoff Griffin said the awards were 10 years old and focuses on recognition.
"(The awards are a) way to recognise the amazing contribution that people in regional and rural areas make to their broader and local communities," he said.
"There are so many wonderful things that happen locally. We feel that those things need to be recognise."
Nominations are open in 10 different categories.
"Initially when the program opened in 2002, we had a lot of people say to us that award programs are fantastic but regional people really struggle to compete against people from the city who have access to enormous resources," Mr Griffin said.
"People in regional areas really rely on other people more. They're more friendly, they're more connected then people in the city, who half the time wouldn't even know who their neighbours are."
Community Leadership Loddon Mallee took out the Prime Super Community Group of the Year last year.
Newly-elected chair Yvonne Wrigglesworth said the award had provided the non-for-profit with positive media exposure and helped raise its profile.
(The awards are a) way to recognise the amazing contribution that people in regional and rural areas make to their broader and local communities.
- Geoff Griffin
Ms Wrigglesworth encouraged other organisations, businesses and individuals to nominate.
"You have to be in it to win it and if you have a story to tell then it is a fantastic opportunity to get your message out across the region," she said.
She said the awards also gave the organisation a chance to network with other like-minded organisations.
The awards will be announced at a gala dinner on October 16. Nominations close on July 24.
Nomination enquiries are available from sponsor outlets including Bank of Melbourne and VACC.
Alternatively, they can be sources by contacting the awards office on 9720 1638 or online by visiting www.awardsaustralia.com