The diverse award categories include senior citizen, young citizen, arts and cultural and sports achievements and the overall citizen of the year.

The broad spectrum of excellence in the region is demonstrated in the 80-year age gap between the 2014 young citizen joint winner, 14-year-old science whiz Macinley Butson, 94-year-old Les Dion Senior, who was the first-ever senior citizen of the year in January.

Macinley, who won the youth award with her 18-year-old brother Ethan (who was shortlisted for the 2015 NSW young Australian of the year) urged other young people to nominate themselves or their friends.

"Just go for it, even if you don't think you're going to win, because we didn't think we would at all," she said.

"It's been an absolutely incredible year, there have been so many opportunities to represent Wollongong and young people."

There is a new award in 2015 for outstanding achievement or innovation, targeted at those excelling in science, medicine and the environment.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery hoped this would bolster the city's identity as the "city of innovation".

Applications close on December 12 and can be made through the council's website or libraries.