The Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards are back for 2024: nominations are now open for entry – and we need you tell us who your local heroes are.
Click here to nominate your favourites
Described as “a celebration of the remarkable array of talents, entrepreneurial skills and community spirit to be found in every corner of our region” our Awards highlight the heart-warming and inspirational stories of individuals and groups doing their best for their communities, and the amazing achievements of people who are striving for excellence and helping to fly the flag for the region in the fields of business and enterprise, food and drink, sports, culture and tourism.
Last year’s Awards – our 13th since we launched them in 2010 - attracted 440 nominations for people, groups, and organisations across the region, and more than 330 people attended our sell-out ceremony at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries.
Our finalists were selected from nominations from right across Dumfries & Galloway - from Annan to Stranraer, from Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Langholm, Moniaive, Newton Stewart and New Galloway, from Gatehouse of Fleet to Glentrool, Gretna Green to Beeswing, and from Sanquhar to Stranraer.
Anne Barclay MBE, chair of our independent judging panel, says: “The Awards recognise people being their best selves and those bringing out the best in others – dedicated, passionate and determined to make the region a better place.
“The strength of last year’s nominations was a staunch reminder that, despite the ongoing difficulties in the world around us – overseas and right here within our own communities - there is hope.”
Our 2023 Overall Winner was Business Person of the Year Sandy Sweetman, of SW Audio.
Our judges said Sandy was hard working and unassuming, a highly respected member of the creative community with an ability to bring the best out of others, and that his award was in recognition of the significant impact he has had - and continues to have - through his commitment and passion for making Dumfries & Galloway a better place to live, work and visit.
Sandy said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked to be both category and overall winner on the night. The messages of congratulations still keep coming in months after, lifting my enthusiasm to keep on doing what I do, knowing that the support exists throughout this wonderful region.”
We’re looking forward to once again showcasing the innovation, enthusiasm, dedication, passion and community spirit of the region, and to honouring all those people who make Dumfries & Galloway such a special place to live, work and visit.
All the awards and criteria are listed opposite and details of how to enter are below. The closing date for nominations is August 4, 2023. Please submit as detailed an entry as possible, telling the judges everything you think they need to know about the person / organisation you are nominating. They contribute greatly to the judges’ decision making.
Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors, including Easterbook Hall, which has hosted every one of our awards ceremonies since 2010.
HOW TO NOMINATE
To nominate someone for the 2024 Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards, or to enter your organisation, complete the online form.
Click here to nominate your favourites
The closing date for nominations is Sunday, August 4, 2024. Finalists are revealed in our November magazine, published October 9. Winners are announced at the awards event on Friday, November 8, 2024.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
i) Nominators must supply their name and address, but nominees will not be told who has nominated them.
ii) Judges prefer individuals to be nominated by others, but you may enter your own organisation for an award.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH EASTERBROOK HALL
OUR 2024 AWARDS CATEGORIES IN THE 2024 DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY LIFE LIFE AWARDS
COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Yopa Dumfries & Galloway
For people who dedicate their time and skills to a voluntary cause or group.
VOLUNTARY GROUP/CHARITY
For voluntary or charitable groups dedicated to making a difference to life in Dumfries & Galloway.
COMMUNITY PROJECT
For projects and initiatives which make a difference to life in a community. Schemes could be charitable, public or private sector, or a partnership. Entries should be about a specific project.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
For individuals who make an exceptional contribution to their community. This could be voluntary or charitable, but also in a paid private or public sector role, or as an elected community representative.
YOUNG COMMUNITY CHAMPION
For individuals (aged 8-25) who make an exceptional contribution to their community.
ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION
For individuals who are passionate about safeguarding and improving the environment, in a voluntary, paid, elected or educational role.
FOOD & DRINK
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
For restaurants, hotel restaurants, casual dining spots and café bars that serve hot food for a lunch or evening meal.
CAFE OF THE YEAR
For cafés, tea shops, coffee shops, café bars, galleries and shops, that serve hot and cold drinks, cakes, light bites and a more limited range of hot meals.
FOOD & DRINK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
For producers of food and drink from D&G, or D&G-based suppliers/ manufacturers of value added products.
CULTURE & SPORT
VISUAL ARTIST/MAKER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Easterbrook Hall
For visual artists or makers in any discipline based in, or working in, Dumfries & Galloway.
PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by D&G Arts Festival
For performing artists in any medium, based in, or working, in D&G.
CULTURE CHAMPION
Sponsored by DG Unlimited
For creative artists, and workers in creative, cultural or leisure businesses or organisations in D&G.
SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Garden Rooms Scotland
For individual achievement in any sport at local, regional or national level.
SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Cairndale Hotel & Spa
For team achievement in any sport at local, regional or national level; adult or youth level.
ENTERPRISE
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
For business leaders, entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners, and senior managers in an entrepreneurial role in their company.
TOURISM CHAMPION
Sponsored by Roucan Loch Crematorium
For success in a tourism business which puts D&G on the map, and/or contribution and dedication to promoting the tourism sector and the region.
INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce
For independently-owned retailers in Dumfries & Galloway in any sector, which are not part of a national chain or franchise
BEST FAMILY BUSINESS
For a family-owned/managed business which has at least two members of a family involved, and which can clearly demonstrate how the ethos of a family business runs through the company; success (e.g.: financial performance, order book, jobs, sustainability, longevity, positive impact on community and local economy) and how the values of a family business have underpinned that success. Must also show how the family business is building for the future.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by David Allen
Recognising the achievements of young people in business * (e.g.: start-up, a key entrepreneurial role within a business, or success in a school enterprise scheme). *Entrants must be under 31 on 31.12.2024
EDUCATION HERO OF THE YEAR
For an individual who works in the education sector. This person will have gone above and beyond, will have provided outstanding support for their pupils, demonstrated real creativity to deliver learning experiences and inspired youngsters and colleagues with their resilience wand positivity.
SPECIAL AWARDS
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY LIFE SPECIAL AWARD
Chosen by the judges from all the shortlisted finalists for a nominee who deserves special recognition.
2024 OVERALL WINNER
The top award is chosen from the category winners for their outstanding contribution to life in Dumfries & Galloway in 2024.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact: Kate Goodall, Marketing Solutions Account Manager, at kate.goodall@localiq.co.uk or call 07764 657130
