Shine a light on Newcastle’s local legends for 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards

Associate Professors Michelle Kelly and Helen English, alongside the Unforgettables choir for people living with dementia, accepting the 2025 Community Group of the Year title at this year's ceremony

City of Newcastle is providing the opportunity to honour the hard work of outstanding Novocastrians as part of the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards.

Nominations are now open for the prestigious annual awards, celebrating those who have made a significant impact in Newcastle’s community.

Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year.

Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said these awards are a chance to recognise people who make Newcastle a better place to live.

“These awards shine a light on the everyday heroes who go above and beyond to support others, often without recognition,” Cr McCabe said.

“Whether it’s through volunteering, advocacy or simply lending a hand, these contributions strengthen our community and deserve to be celebrated.”

In 2025, the Community Group of the Year title was awarded to The Unforgettables, a choir dedicated to supporting people living with dementia and their carers.

The group meet every Saturday afternoon at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, providing a welcoming space where participants can engage with music.

Co-founder Associate Professor Helen English said the award meant a lot to everyone involved in the Unforgettables.

“The choir was very proud to have been recognised as the Community Group of the Year, as recognition is so important when you are vulnerable and marginalised due to such an insidious disease,” Dr English said.

“As a result of the award the choir has been asked to sing at more events than it can possibly manage and has become an important icon for the University of Newcastle, singled out in our new Arts and Culture Strategy publication and performing as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations.

“Dementia inclusive choirs are important for many reasons, including the social connections, joy in music and normalising through an accessible activity.

“Recognising our choir reinforces how vital these activities are for both cared-for and care-partners, and we thank City of Newcastle and the wider community.”

Last year’s recipients also included Bailey Myers, who received the Citizen of the Year Award for his 4,500km journey across Australia on foot to raise funds for Indigenous literacy.

Sixteen-year-old Khuslen Batmandakh was named young Citizen of the Year for her dedication to improving literacy through the establishment of the book nook in Jesmond, providing free books to local families.

Nominations are now open online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/citizenoftheyear and close on 11 December 2025.

A selection panel including the Deputy Lord Mayor, CEO, councillors and the 2025 Award recipients will determine the award winners, who will be announced at a ceremony early in 2026.