Citizen of the Year Awards

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Every community has local heroes

They might coach a junior sporting team or support neighbours through difficult times; they could volunteer quietly behind the scenes or inspire others with charitable acts. 

Who has made Newcastle a better place this year? 

We’re looking for Novocastrians who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact in our community over the past year. Their contribution might be big or small. You can nominate a local hero for our 2027 Citizen of the Year Awards across four categories. 

  • Citizen of the Year
  • Young Citizen of the Year
  • Senior Citizen of the Year
  • Community Group of the Year

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Awards and will close on 20 November 2026.

Meet our 2026 local heroes

Citizen of the Year Peter Sleap has helped hundreds of families affected by Cancer; Young Citizen of the Year Alyssa Wharton shaped the future of cricket in Newcastle; Wanda McInnis-Fogg has dedicated years to helping refugee women and families; John Cross has spent decades supporting and advocating for people experiencing homelessness. Read more about our 2026 Award recipients.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Check address: Ensure you know you nominee’s full address. Individual nominees must reside in the Newcastle Local Government Area. Community Group's impact should be demonstrated in the Newcastle Local Government Area. You can check if their address is in the Newcastle LGA via Find Your Local Council.
  2. Consider the past year’s achievements: Clearly outline what the nominee has achieved in past year. We encourage nominators to submit an overview and up to five Nominee Achievements. Achievements should be outside or additional to their paid work/job, for example volunteer work.
  3. Complete form: Complete the nomination form. 
  4. Provide evidence: This is not compulsory. You may choose to attach up to three files such as letters or testimonials, news articles and certificates. 
  • Individual nominees must reside in the Newcastle Local Government Area.
  • Citizen, Young Citizen and Senior Citizen of the Year are individual award categories
  • Community Group of the Year award category is for a group of people.
  • Nominees must be Australian citizens
  • Awards will not be granted posthumously
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted
  • Nominees must be at least 16 years of age in the year of the award presentation
  • Nominees for the category of Young Citizen of the Year must be 30 years of age or younger
  • Nominees for the category of Senior Citizen of the Year must be 60 years of age or older
  • Groups nominated for the category of Community Group should be a group of people who come together to support, connect or improve their local community through shared activities, volunteering or community initiatives. While not-for-profit organisations may be eligible, this category is intended to recognise grassroots groups rather than established charities or organisations with paid staff and funded service delivery. This definition was refined in 2026. 
  • Groups nominated for the category of Community Group should demonstrate their specific contribution to Newcastle local government area (eg an individual part of the group may live in a neighbouring council but has made a significant contribution to the Newcastle LGA community)
  • Sitting state and federal politicians, current vice-regal and elected members of Council are not eligible for nomination.
The Award Review Panel is looking for Novocastrians who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact in our community over the past year. Their contributions might be big or small, and may have resulted in local, regional, national or even international recognition to the Newcastle area. 

The awards are for the quiet achievers as well as those more familiar high profile achievers. What they have in common is their ability to inspire others, overcome challenges and really make a significant impact on the people of Newcastle. 

The categories are: 
  • Citizen of the Year: Awarded for a significant achievement or contribution made over the course of the previous year. 
  • Young Citizen of the Year: Awarded for the outstanding contributions made by young citizens to community life. Open to those aged from 16-30 years.
  • Senior Citizen of the Year: Awarded for the outstanding contributions over the course of the previous year. Open to those aged 60 years and over.
  • Community Group of the Year: Awarded for the significant contributions that have made to the welfare of people, the quality of life, the arts, science, engineering, the environment or other fields of endeavour. In 2026 we refined our Community Group definition: A community group is a group of people who come together to support, connect or improve their local community through shared activities, volunteering or community initiatives. While not-for-profit organisations may be eligible, this category is intended to recognise grassroots groups rather than established charities or organisations with paid staff and funded service delivery. The impact of their work should be demonstrated in the Newcastle Local Government Area.
View our past Citizen of the Year Award recipients.
 

Yes, all nominations are strictly confidential and the information provided will be used only to assist the Panel with assessing the nomination.

For the 2027 Awards the key dates are as follows:

  • Nominations open: Now
  • Nominations close: 20 November 2026
  • Award Review Panel selects recipients: Early December 2026
  • Recipients informed: Mid December 2026
  • Awards ceremony: February 2027

Find out who are the previous recipients of these awards.

The honour of Freeman of the City is awarded to individuals who have provided the highest level of service, usually over a number of decades. It may be awarded for achievement and service to Newcastle, Australia or humanity. This award is not presented every year, and nominations can be submitted at any time.

View Freeman of the City recipients.