Nominations are open for the 2027 Lake Mac Awards, which aim to place the spotlight on outstanding individuals and groups making a positive impact, big or small, in our community.
Lake Macquarie City Council is calling on the community to put forward local champions in 12 categories, encompassing creative and performing arts, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, sport, volunteering and community contribution.
Top honours are the Lake Macquarie Young Ambassador and Lake Macquarie Ambassador, the city's highest annual accolade.
Incumbent Ambassador Professor Tamara Blakemore is an academic who is renowned as a global leader in community violence prevention.
Since becoming Ambassador, Prof. Blakemore has established the Centre for Violence Prevention and Healing at the University of Newcastle, which hosts the NSW/ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Research Network, which she chairs, and the Name.Narrate.Navigate program addressing youth violence.
This year, Prof. Blakemore has spoken at 10 conferences, forums and symposia, published 10 new research outputs, met with members of parliament, and delivered specialist training to practitioners across NSW.
She has also launched place-based safety installations and hosted forums with practitioners and young people to co-design violence prevention and intervention approaches that speak to people in place and support better policy and pedagogy.
Prof. Blakemore said her time as the city's top civic figurehead had been an opportunity to connect with the community in a different way, beyond research and the university setting.
"Being Lake Macquarie Ambassador has been an incredible privilege; it has opened doors to conversations with people I may never otherwise have met - young people, volunteers, community groups and families who are quietly doing extraordinary things," she said.
"So much of my work is about how communities can prevent harm and look after each other, and this role has shown me just how much of that is already happening here. It has given me a platform to talk about violence prevention with a much broader audience, and I've learnt so much from the people I've met along the way.
"I'd encourage everyone to take a moment to think about who makes a difference in their corner of Lake Macquarie and put them forward. Being recognised can mean more than people realise."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the awards were an opportunity for local people to show their appreciation to a person or group deserving of recognition.
"Each year, the Lake Mac Awards shine a light on the remarkable people, organisations and initiatives that help make our city such a vibrant and connected community," he said.
"Across Lake Macquarie, there are individuals quietly going above and beyond, volunteers giving their time, community groups making a real difference and local leaders selflessly enriching the lives of those around them.
"The awards recognise and celebrate their vast and varied contributions, and I encourage everyone to think about the people who inspire them and consider submitting a nomination."
The 2027 Lake Mac Awards are proudly supported by major sponsors Avondale University and Allambi Care, and event sponsor Glendale City Centre.
Last year's winners included Young Ambassador Shania Aiolupotea, an inspirational Southlakes Roosters Rugby League Football Club leader well beyond her years, and Community Group of the Year Belmont Hospital Volunteers for ongoing fundraising and support work.
Not-for-profit community greening organisation The Groundswell Collective won the Contribution to Sustainability and the Environment award, while Dawn Lambert was named Senior of the Year for her leadership, community service and volunteer contributions over more than five decades.
Other standout recipients included Sportsperson of the Year Tori Lee, a world champion aerobics athlete, Hugh Tait for his contribution to sailing, and Elevate Esteem Training for delivering inclusive and adaptive fitness programs that help people of all ages and abilities participate in exercise and community life.
Callum Martin was named Young Sportsperson of the Year, Morisset High School 60th Anniversary received Community Event of the Year honours, and independent pop singer-songwriter Lark was recognised for contribution to creative and performing arts.
The award winners will be named in a gala celebration on 5 March 2027, to honour the city's trailblazers and influential changemakers.
To nominate yourself or someone else, visit lakemac.com.au and complete the online nomination form before Monday 2 November 2026.
2027 LAKE MAC AWARDS - CATEGORIES
Contribution to Creative and Performing Arts
Contribution to Sustainability and the Environment
Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Young Sports Person of the Year (18 years or younger)
Sports Person of the Year
Contribution to Sport
Community Event of the Year
Community Group of the Year
Senior of the Year (65 years and over)
Volunteer of the Year
Young Ambassador (21 years or younger)
Ambassador
