Lake Macquarie History

Lake Macquarie Citizen of the Year

Since its inception in 1981, Lake Macquarie Citizen of the Year was held in conjunction with Australia Day celebrations. From 2020, the Australia Day Awards and Lake Macquarie Sports Awards were combined to create the Lake Mac Awards.

The awards recognise Lake Macquarie individuals and groups who help, organise, give or campaign for the benefit of others. The city’s most prestigious honour, Lake Mac Ambassador, is given to the person who has made the most outstanding contribution for the benefit of the community or environment. Lake Mac Ambassador was known as Lake Macquarie Citizen of the Year prior to 2020. The awards also recognise Young Citizen of the Year along with other categories including Lake Mac Community Group of the Year and Lake Mac Volunteer of the Year.

Current and previous recipients

Year Recipient Recognition
2024 Matt Hall A Red Bull Air Race World Champion, former Royal Australian Air Force gun fighter pilot, and CEO of Matt Hall Racing, the primary charitable partner to Wings4Kidz.
2023 Associate Professor Matt Dun A world leader in childhood brain cancer research and founder of the RUN DIPG charity which raises millions of dollars
2022 Dr David Durrheim A tireless leader throughout the pandemic who guided the community through lockdowns and restrictions to help save lives and keep residents safe
2021 Jonathon Power Recognised for his passion for helping people, which led him to start his own disability service
2020 Rhonda Finlay A tireless volunteer involved in a host of groups, activities and initiatives designed to help our community and make Lake Macquarie a better place to live, work and play
2019 Kerriann Dunn Recognised for her community and leadership roles in the Aboriginal Community
2018 Andreena Kardamis Recognised for her community work and her appointment as 2018 Youth Advocate for the United Nations
2017 John Cleary Recognised for his advocacy of victims of childhood sexual abuse and his role in giving them a voice.
2016 Geraldine Moran Recognised for her work with Windale’s Centre for Hope, which aims to transform the lives of “at risk” children aged six to18 years of age.
2015 Grace McLean Services to the networking, mutual support and training benefits for the Not-for-Profit sector
2014 David Helmers Assistance with establishing Australian Men's Shed in Windale in 2006
2013 Melinda Brown Service and dedication to the education of Aboriginal students
2012 Gae Miller Volunteering and dedication to creating specialised holidays for people with disabilities
2011 Michael Cowan Inspiring others through his penny-farthing and unicycle fundraising bike rides
2010 June Cameron Service to the community in her work through Guides, teaching hearing impaired students and extensive involvement with the Uniting Church
2009 Hiskelina (Lyn) Thorpe Service and recognition of her tireless humanitarian work
2008 Graham Burgess Recognised for his work with the Josephite Refugee Network, which helps refugees in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.
2007 Herbert Reay Contribution to the disabled through the Sailability Program and to the sailing community
2006 Jan Walmsley Contribution to and involvement in palliative care, including voluntary work with Westlakes Palliative Care, the Wig Library, the National Loss and Grief Association, Camp Quality and Hunter Palliative Care
2005 Geoffrey McGregor Service and contribution to Brass Banding
2004 Barry Evans Service and commitment to the Windale area for many years in his work with youth, prison ministry and disabled
2003 Peter Joyce Working beyond the call of duty in his service to the disabled, particularly with The House With No Steps
2002 Alistair Fyfe Service to the community through the Lion's Club International, Warners Bay
2001 Lynn Hart Voluntary work with St John Ambulance and Holy Cross Catholic Chuch, Glendale
2000 Cecil Davidson Service to the community through Toronto RSL sub-branch
1999 Clara Foster Recognition of her years of service with Newcastle Sudden Infant Death Association (SIDS)
1998 Doug Oliver Service to the Air Training Corps of NSW and the youth of the Hunter
1997 Stephen Beazley Service to youth, art, special education and the community
1996 Daryl Marshall Services to his community, state and nation for over 30 years
1995 Russell Deaves For his tireless work during the disastrous bush fires in January 1994
1994 Elaine Lenaghan For service and devotion to the community, particularly the Stroke and Disability Information (Hunter) Incorporated and other community care organisations
1993 Bruce Tarrant Services to youth and the disadvantaged through his involvement with the Police Citizens Youth Club
1992 John Thoroughgood Services to the community and through his work with Apex Club
1991 John Comyn Untiring service to the community
1990 Nance Adam Serving the community through cubs and guiding movements and sports groups
1989 Irene Rose Services to the Bicentenary and other community work
1988 John Kilpatrick Services to the community through Lions Club
1987 Beryl Bailey Service to the Girl Guides
1986 unknown unknown
1985 unknown unknown
1984 Algirdus 'Geat' Ulanas For his role as conductor, musician, federation member
1983 unknown unknown
1982 Frank Watkins unknown
1981 Carl Ross For services to youth in the Morisset community

Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Council acknowledges traditional custodians throughout Australia. We commit to listening deeply to and collaborating with First Peoples in our work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website and Council's cultural collections may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

This website may contain place names, opinions and terms that reflect authors' views or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded. These may not be considered appropriate today.

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