THE nominees for the Mayor’s Award at this year’s Thurrock Civic Awards have been revealed, and for the first time votes can be made online.

Mayor, Cllr Tony Fish, has chosen his five nominees who are either people or organisations that have piqued his interest in his time in office.

The nominees can be seen below.

Cllr Fish said: “It was difficult to get the list down to five, but in the end I believe these are the people and organisations which make a real difference for the public good here in Thurrock.

“I would urge as many people as possible to go online and cast their vote for their favourite.”

Online voting can be done online at www.thurrock.gov.uk/civicawards. The closing date for votes is Friday, 14 February.

There is also still time for those who live in the borough to nominate individuals for other various other categories at the ceremony.

Nominations are available at libraries and on the council website.

The awards take place on Friday, February 21.

Details of the five nominees in the Mayor’s Award are:

Faith Matters: an organisation formed to represent the diverse faith groups of Thurrock with representatives from the Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Anglican, Catholic and Pentecostal groups on the steering committee.

Those in the organisation are people who care about the local community and believe they can make a difference in people’s lives.

For example, Faith Matters was heavily involved in supporting this year’s International Holocaust Day events in Thurrock at both the Memorial Garden and the Thameside.

Sue Rogers: a busy mum who still finds time, as the Deputy District Commissioner for Thurrock Scouting, to deliver a wonderful programme of activities and opportunities for young people that develop independence and confidence that will support them throughout their lives.

Sue has been a District Cub leader for 13 years, as well as being involved in her own cub pack, planning all district events, including camps and trips out.

She has supported the packs and leaders within the borough and spends her days planning and gives up most weekends and evenings to attend pack meetings and events in and out of the borough.

Maggie Pollock: Some might say Maggie Pollock is South Ockendon as her close involvement in innumerable local groups and organisations means she is never far from the centre of the action.

Of late, it is probably Maggie’s work with and support for the South Ockendon Community Forum and the South Ockendon Centre which has kept her “in the news”.

But her remarkable organisational and leadership skills have made Maggie an integral part of South Ockendon life for decades – if you know Ockendon, you know Maggie, it’s as simple as that.

Royal Opera House: Ten years ago, putting the Royal Opera House and Thurrock in the same sentence would have seemed a very unlikely combination – but no longer.

Not only is Thurrock now linked with opera across the world, the Royal Opera House itself has adopted Thurrock and its people, seeking to expand its presence here as well as providing local groups and thousands of our young people with top-quality musical experiences.

An opera about Thurrock, performances on the Covent Garden stage, opera on big screens in the borough, hundreds of singing opportunities, and even a chance to join with professional artists to create original art.

Ngage: A local community organisation and charity whose primary aim is to support community involvement and engagement in Thurrock, ensuring people are better informed and more involved in decisions that affect them as individuals and their communities.

The organisation established Volunteer Centre Thurrock in 2011, and actively promotes the benefits of volunteering – supporting people in seeking volunteering opportunities within local organisations and charities.

It also produces the On a learning curve training programme on behalf of the Thurrock ACE partnership, which offers free training to individuals and groups to help build confidence and to enhance existing skills.