Newcastle is full of people quietly shaping our city for the better, giving their time, energy, and heart without expectation of recognition. The 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards are an opportunity to celebrate these local legends and the people who make Newcastle feel like home.
From volunteers and advocates to neighbours who always lend a hand, these awards recognise the extraordinary in the everyday. Categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, and Community Group of the Year. Whether it’s a single act of kindness or a collective effort that lifts the community, there is a place to celebrate it.
Bailey Myers, the 2025 Newcastle Citizen of the Year, walked 4,500km across Australia to raise funds and awareness for Indigenous literacy, proving how one person’s determination can create real change.
Last year, the Community Group of the Year went to The Unforgettables, a choir supporting people living with dementia and their carers. Every Saturday afternoon at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, the choir offers joy, connection and music, enriching the lives of both participants and care partners. Co-founder Associate Professor Helen English said the award not only recognised their work but amplified it, allowing the choir to perform more widely and become an important symbol of inclusion and creativity in Newcastle.
Other past winners include Bailey Myers, who walked 4,500km across Australia to raise funds for Indigenous literacy, and 16-year-old Khuslen Batmandakh, who was named the 2025 Young Citizen of the Year. After learning her neighbourhood of Jesmond had one of the lowest literacy rates in the country, the high school student established a book nook at her local shopping centre, providing access to free books for local families. Their stories show how one person’s dedication can ripple out to benefit many others.
Sixteen-year-old Khuslen Batmandakh, the 2025 Newcastle Young Citizen of the Year, created a free book nook at her local shopping centre after discovering her Jesmond neighbourhood had one of the lowest literacy rates in the country. Her simple idea is now helping local families discover the joy of reading.
Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe says the awards are about recognising the everyday heroes who go above and beyond to support others, often without recognition.
Nominations for 2026 are now open online at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/citizenoftheyear and close on 11 December 2025. A selection panel including the Deputy Lord Mayor, councillors, and past recipients will decide the winners, who will be announced at a ceremony in early 2026.
Think about who you know in Newcastle whose care, creativity, or courage deserves to be celebrated. It could be the neighbour who always lends a hand, the teacher inspiring children to read, or the community group creating connections through music or art. Now is your chance to make sure their story is heard.
