City of Newcastle Searching For Unsung Heroes

Novocastrians have the chance to help a local champion become a legend, with nominations now open for City of Newcastle's 2024 Citizen of the Year Awards.

Categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year within the Newcastle Local Government Area.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the annual award program celebrates a diverse range of people from all walks of life.

“Now is the time to nominate someone who's made a difference in Newcastle. It doesn't have to be a familiar name or a high-profile achiever. It could be a friend or neighbour, colleague, or a local group. This is your chance to tell us about an unsung hero whose efforts deserve formal recognition,” Cr Nelmes said.

2023 Citizen of the Year Nathan Towney says winning the award has given him a greater profile at a significant time in the national discourse on Indigenous affairs.

"As a proud Wiradjuri man, I was honoured to be given this award. I wouldn't be able to do what I do in this space without the foundations laid before me, and I want to encourage everyone in Newcastle to think about nominating someone who is fighting for a worthy cause."

The career of last year's Young Citizen of the Year, Dominic May, has gone from strength to strength during the past 12 months, with his business CoastXP, a unique coastal sightseeing experience, named as a finalist for this year's NSW Tourism Awards.

Tireless work with all levels of government to tackle coastal erosion saw the Stockton Community Group named the 2023 Community Group of the Year.

Members of the group recently had another win when it was announced that the State Government had awarded a contract to obtain and place 100,000 cubic metres of sand along the Stockton coastline in October, the first step in the broader Coastal Management Plan.

Citizen of the Year Award nominations are now open at www.newcastle.nsw.gov. au/citizenoftheyear Nominations close 19 November and will be judged by the City of Newcastle Award Panel.