Local Legends

James Allen 23rd June 2026 James Allen has been a valued member of the Wyee Rural Fire Service Brigade since he joined in 2009 and has provided 15 years of dedicated service to both the Brigade and wider community. Throughout h...
Michelle Deaves 23rd June 2026 I would like to acknowledge the selfless dedication with which Michelle Deaves has served the Wyee Rural Fire Brigade for the past decade. This milestone was officially recognised at the recent 2026 N...
Cherie Bateup 04th June 2026 Few people can claim 40 years of continuous volunteer service to their community, which is why it was particularly special to see Cherie Bateup recognised at the recent 2026 NSW RFS Central Coast Volu...
Matthew Naylor 04th June 2026 Few people can say they have dedicated 35 years to serving their local community, which is why it was a privilege to see Matthew Naylor recognised at the 2026 NSW RFS Central Coast Volunteer Appreciat...
Michelle Deaves 04th June 2026 I would like to acknowledge the selfless dedication with which Michelle Deaves has served the Wyee Rural Fire Brigade for the past decade. This milestone was officially recognised at the recent 2026 N...
Dane Pickering 03rd June 2026 For 25 years, Dane Pickering has been a steady presence in the NSW Rural Fire Service, serving his community with dedication and a willingness to step forward when it matters most. Starting with Pearl...
David Bennett 03rd June 2026 More than 30 years of volunteer service is an extraordinary achievement, and it was wonderful to see David Bennett recognised at the recent 2026 NSW RFS Central Coast Volunteer Appreciation Day and Me...
Nathan Cerulli 03rd June 2026 Nathan Cerulli has been a valued member of Wyee Point Rural Fire Service Brigade since joining as a junior in 2009 and was recently awarded the National Medal for 15 years of diligent service at ...
Sam and Hayat Zoghbi 28th May 2026 Lake Macquarie is home to some truly generous business owners, and I acknowledge Sam and Hayat Zoghbi from Simply Pharmacy Toronto who continually give back to our community. I recently had the pleasu...
Carla Edwards 27th May 2026 I recognise Lake Macquarie photojournalist Carla Edwards for bringing her powerful exhibition HERStory: Remembering Australia's Military Women to the Fountain Court, NSW Parliament House. I was pr...
Katrina Croquett 27th May 2026 Relatively few people ever trek to Everest Base Camp, let alone do it twice in rapid succession. I'm proud to recognise Lake Macquarie mum Katrina Croquett, co-founder of Women Embrace Adventure, ...
Lynne Howard 26th May 2026 I wish the wonderful Lynne Howard, from Peter Pan Preschool in Wangi Wangi, a very happy and well-deserved retirement. Lynne has led Peter Pan Preschool for 29 years and, under her guidance, it became...
Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group 26th May 2026 For more than a decade, Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group volunteers have worked tirelessly to improve Toronto, Carey Bay, Coal Point and Kilaben Bay, helping make these communities more su...
Danielle Curtis 07th May 2026 We have a real-life Drop Bear in Lake Macquarie, and she is fighting fit. I congratulate Danielle "Drop Bear" Curtis from Rathmines on her latest international success, returning from Auckla...
Jack Arrowsmith 07th May 2026 What began as a way to boost confidence and learn to defend himself against schoolyard bullying, has blossomed into a promising boxing career for 19-year-old Jack Arrowsmith from Uppercut Boxing Toron...
Lake Macquarie High School 07th May 2026 It's a real pleasure to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of Lake Macquarie High School, which has been recognised by the NSW Department of Education as one of just 45 public schools ac...
Lake Mac Triathlon Festival 26th March 2026 In just two years, the growth of the Lake Mac Triathlon Festival was recognised by being featured on the national triathlon calendar, attracting competitors from across NSW and beyond. Held at Speers ...
Wyee Community Hub 26th March 2026 Lake Macquarie is home to so many fantastic volunteer-run organisations, and I congratulate the incredible work of the volunteers at Wyee Community Hub, who recently went above and beyond to give our ...
Hugh Tait 25th March 2026 Lake Macquarie sailor Hugh Tait has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to sport, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award as part of the 2026 Lake Mac Awards. Hugh is an exc...
Morisset High School 25th March 2026 I congratulate Morisset High School on receiving the Community Event of the Year Award at the 2026 Lake Mac Awards for its outstanding 60th Anniversary Celebrations. This was a truly impressive commun...
Community Activities Lake Macquarie 24th March 2026 Lake Macquarie is stronger when community organisations step up to support and connect local people, and I acknowledge Community Activities Lake Macquarie Inc (CALM), for taking on and reopening the B...
Shania Aiolupotea 24th March 2026 To be named Lake Macquarie's Young Ambassador, a young person must demonstrate exceptional leadership, strong values and a genuine commitment to their community. This year, that honour has gone to...
Chris Gavenlock 17th March 2026 I am proud to recognise Chris Gavenlock as the 2026 Local Woman of the Year for Lake Macquarie, an incredible achievement that reflects her tireless commitment to our community. For nearly 30 years, C...
Mahdis Niroomand Komsari 17th March 2026 I congratulate Mahdis Niroomand Komsari from Heritage College Lake Macquarie whose striking HSC Visual Arts work has been selected for the prestigious FIRST Class 25 Exhibition at the Lake Macquarie A...
Zoe Bakker 17th March 2026 Good art doesn't just depict history, it challenges how we understand it. I congratulate Zoe Bakker from Lake Macquarie High School, who has achieved exactly that, through the creation of her majo...
Dr Gordon Campbell 10th February 2026 It is my great honour to congratulate Dr Gordon Robert Campbell OAM, of Cooranbong, on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours. This recognition acknowledge...
Gary Mitchell 10th February 2026 I am pleased to congratulate Mr Gary Neville Mitchell OAM from Woodrising on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours, in recognition of his outstanding serv...
Carolyn Frame and the Coal Point Physical Culture Club 05th February 2026 I would like to acknowledge the remarkable career and recent achievements of Carolyn Frame, lead instructress at Coal Point Physie. For the past 55-years, Carolyn has dedicated her life to teaching yo...
Sandie Redman 05th February 2026 I would like to acknowledge Sandie Redman, owner of Café 2283 in Toronto, for her outstanding commitment to supporting our local community throughout 2025. Sandie is a small business owner who ...
Chloe Parker 04th February 2026 "There is no option, but to move forward". These were the words Chloe Parker would quietly repeat as a teenager, facing illness no young person should have to endure. At 17, while studying a...