Lake Mac Awards finalists announced ahead of Belmont gala on 6 March

newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has released the finalist list for the 2026 Lake Mac Awards, with winners to be announced at a gala event at Belmont 16s on Friday 6 March.

The annual awards recognise community contributions and achievements across 12 categories, highlighting leadership, advocacy, innovation, bravery, skill and community spirit shown in Lake Macquarie over the past 12 months.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the awards showcased “just how much talent, generosity and hard work exists across Lake Macquarie”. He said every finalist demonstrated “real commitment and excellence” while shortlisted groups and events continued to go above and beyond “quietly making a meaningful difference to life in our city”.

The Volunteer of the Year category drew the largest field, with eight finalists named: Brian McEnearney, Donald Roach, Gary Griffin, Hugh Tait, Jamal Box, Madison Lowe, Paul Morris and Sophie Van Woerkom.

Shultz said several categories had been revamped to better reflect tangible community contributions, including a change from Young Citizen of the Year to Young Ambassador to reflect “the role the winner plays representing our city and reflecting our values”.

The city’s 2025 Ambassador, Dr Alyce Barnes, will hand over the title at the ceremony to one of four finalists for the 2026 Ambassador award: Bradley Dunn, Jamal Box, Professor Tamara Blakemore and Shay-Alison Perry.

Council said Blakemore was a social work practitioner, researcher and educator who had emerged as a global leader in youth violence prevention, while Box was a senior leader with the NSW State Emergency Service whose advocacy extended to community safety, mental health, inclusion and wellbeing. Dunn was described as the CEO of the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network who established a free, multi-agency space for mental health and wellbeing, and Perry as the Director of Lake Mac Choir and owner of Sunny Music Studios, with an inclusive approach that fostered creativity, confidence and community.

Finalists were also named across categories recognising creative and performing arts, sustainability and the environment, diversity and inclusion, sport, community events and groups, as well as senior achievement. Sports Person of the Year finalists include Brooke Summers, Jemma Pollard, Lisa Greissl, Rhiannan Iffland and Tori Lee, while the Community Event of the Year field includes 80’s Skaties Rollertopia, Morisset Lake Macquarie Show and Wangi Wangi ANZAC Day.

Information and tickets for the 6 March awards ceremony are available via the Lake Macquarie City Council website.