If they made the news and inspired you, tell The Straits Times (ST) why and nominate your heroes of the headlines for our new award.
The Straits Times Singaporean Of The Year 2015 seeks to recognise those whose extraordinary acts of goodwill have improved their community and the lives of others.
The new award, supported by bank UBS Singapore, will be given out for the first time early next year.
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Judges for The Straits Times Singaporean Of The Year 2015
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1. Warren Fernandez, editor of The Straits Times (ST)
2. Sumiko Tan, ST deputy editor
3. Helen Chia, ST associate editor and Life! editor
4. Rahul Pathak, ST associate editor and news editor
5. Ignatius Low, ST managing editor
6. Marc Lim, ST sports editor and Sunday Times editor
7. Wong Kim Hoh, ST senior writer
8. Susan Long, general manager of Straits Times Press and former ST senior writer and editor
9. Edmund Koh, country head of UBS Singapore and head of UBS Wealth Management South-east Asia
10. Aaron Maniam, civil servant and founding chairman of the National Youth Council Academy's Advisory Panel
11. David Hoe, youth leader and pioneer of several youth mentoring programmes
12. John Lim, ARA Asset Management group chief executive and founder and chairman of the Lim Hoon Foundation
13. Kit Chan, singer and actress
14. Saleemah Ismail, social entrepreneur and activist for children and women
15. Willin Low, chef and owner of five restaurants, including Wild Rocket
Individuals or groups can be nominated for the award. These include those who risked their lives to help others, devoted them- selves to exemplary voluntary work, broken new ground in helping the community, or overcame immense adversity with great resilience.
ST editor Warren Fernandez said: "This award is geared at the common man or woman who steps up and does things that amazes and inspires all of us.
"His or her actions or contributions might make the news but, more importantly, they should impact and shape lives in a selfless way. That is the Singapore spirit we want to celebrate and showcase through this award."
Nominations are open to the public from now until Dec 31.
Nominees must be Singapore citizens who have made the news this year.
They may not put themselves forward or be nominated by a member of their immediate family.
ST will reveal a shortlist of 10 candidates in January, before a public vote, which will be a factor in the final decision by a panel of 15 judges.
The panel will comprise editors and senior writers from the ST newsroom, as well as others from various walks of life, including singer Kit Chan, youth leader David Hoe and chef Willin Low.
The Singaporean Of The Year will receive $20,000 and a trophy, while the other nine nominees will each get $5,000, all sponsored by UBS.
Mr Edmund Koh, the bank's Singapore country head, said: "As we celebrate UBS' 50 years in Asia and Singapore's 50th anniversary this year, it is timely that we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and honour those who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to make a difference to society.
"There are leaders that we read and hear about, but there are also the extraordinary among the ordinary. We hope to give recognition to the Singaporeans who inspire us, motivate us and challenge us to make a positive difference to the community."
• For more details about The Straits Times Singaporean Of The Year 2015, and to nominate someone, go to str.sg/singaporeanoftheyear2015
• For inquiries about the award, send an e-mail with the subject heading "Singaporean Of The Year" to: STprojects@sph.com.sg
