City of Darwin is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards, celebrating those who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in our community.
Announced during the Australia Day community celebration event, the awards recognise everyday heroes whose efforts help build a stronger, more connected Darwin.
Lord Mayor Peter Styles said the event was a time to reflect on our history, our shared community spirit and the opportunities, freedoms and values we cherish. "This Australia Day, we recognise our Citizen of the Year Award recipients, celebrating the everyday community heroes who go above and beyond to support others and help build a stronger, more connected community," he said.
The winners of the Citizen of the Year Awards are as follows:
Citizen of the Year - June Tomlinson
June has dedicated more than 40 years to helping countless people rediscover lost family connections and support numerous Indigenous Territorians in their quest to discover their roots.
She is an accredited Record Agent with the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents. Since joining the Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory in 1982 as Secretary, June has led the establishment of its library, created and indexed Northern Territory records, travelled internationally on multiple research trips to the UK, to major genealogy congresses, and convened a 400-person international conference in Darwin, championing Northern Territory genealogy on the world stage.
Young Citizen of the Year - Tiesha Munnich-Hewitt
Tiesha is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman of the Wadjigan, Yawuru, Bardi Jawi, Karajarri, Gunggandji and Mamu clans. A mother, mentor and freelance model, she leads powerful workshops on culture, kinship and connection to Country, reaching out to remote communities to strengthen pride and identity.
From the runways of Naam (Melbourne) to the Northern Territory, Tiesha turns every space into a stage for mob, showcasing the beauty, resilience and strength of First Nations culture wherever she goes.
Community Event of the Year - Top End Native Eco-Fair
The Top End Native Eco-Fair is an annual community event that celebrates Top End ecosystems and inspires action to protect local biodiversity. Bringing together over 25 collaborators, the Eco-Fair offers interactive education, cultural demonstrations, native plant giveaways, and activities promoting environmental stewardship.
Through hands-on experiences and expert guidance on topics like plants, wildlife, soils, water, and Larrakia cultural knowledge, visitors learn practical ways to support healthy ecosystems. The 2025 event drew over 3,000 participants, with 97% of those survey reporting they learned something new.
With a focus on engaging children and young people, the Eco-Fair fosters the next generation of environmental champions.
City of Darwin's Australia Day ceremony was marked with a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, didgeridoo and tap stick performance, 21 Gun Salute by the Australian Defence Force and performance from the Band of the 1st Brigade.
