Mayor Cr Paul Hooper said this year's award was for an organisation that had given outstanding service to the Ararat Rural City community over many years but especially in the last 12 months.

"This group of dedicated volunteers continues to provide much needed assistance throughout the year but also recently with the fires located within our region," he said.

"They unselfishly put their lives on the line every day helping the broader community.

"They are certainly great community minded citizens and well deserved recipients of this year's award. This year is a special award as it goes to 20 local fire brigades within our municipality."

Cr Hooper said it gave him great pleasure to present the Community Service of the Year award to the following fire brigades: Ararat Fire Brigade, Mininera Fire Brigade, Streatham Fire Brigade, Buangor Fire Brigade, Willaura Fire Brigade, Great Western Fire Brigade, Maroona Fire Brigade, Langi Logan Fire Brigade, Lake Bolac Fire Brigade, Moyston Fire Brigade, Tatyoon Fire Brigade, Pomonal Fire Brigade, Wickliffe Fire Brigade, Warrak Fire Brigade, Westmere Fire Brigade, Bornes Hill Fire Brigade, Narrapumalap South Fire Brigade, Nerrin Nerrin Fire Brigade, Pura Pura Fire Brigade and Yalla Y Poora Fire Brigade.