We acknowledge people, community groups and organisations that make Wollongong a better place.
The Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards celebrate the contribution and achievements of Aboriginal* communities in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas.
The 2022 awards were hosted by Wollongong City Council on Saturday 30 July. See our Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards page for details.
*Note: 'Aboriginal' includes Torres Strait Islander people.
Congratulations to our 2022 City of Wollongong Australia Day nominees, and our award winners:
- Citizen of the Year: Emma McKeon
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Dorothy 'Dot' Hennessy
- Young Citizen of the Year (two recipients): Faith Clark and Alana Todorovski
- Innovation Achievement Award (two recipients): Prof Lisa Kervin and Prof Kathleen Clapham
- Sports Achievement Award: Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski
- Arts and Cultural Achievement Award (Arts): Matthew Verhelst
- Arts and Cultural Achievement Award (Cultural): Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Thomas
- Community Group of the Year: VOX FM Community Radio
- Diversity and Inclusion Award: Green Connect
- Wollongong to the World Award: Dr Benjamin Clasie
- Lord Mayor's Award (two recipients): Illawarra Academy of Sport and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
Special mentions and certificates were also awarded to:
- Margo Mains, Chief Executive of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- Wollongong Hospital COVID Intensive Care Team
- Wollongong Hospital COVID Ward
- Illawarra Ambulance personnel.
For more details about our Award recipients, see the Australia Day Awards media release.
Our Recognition Receptions are held twice a year to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in our city. This can include national Roll of Honour recipients, volunteers, academics, sportspeople and others who contribute to our community.
If you’d like to suggest someone to be included in a future recognition reception, email or call us on (02) 4227 7111.
Recipients of Keys to the City of Wollongong
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Richard Tognetti |
| 2016 | Emma McKeon |
| 2016 | Emma Tonegato |
| 2016 | Nicole Beck |
| 2016 | Cyrus Villanueva |
| 2012 | Mat Campbell |
| 2009 | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| 2006 | Kerryn McCann |
| 2005 | 26 Army Cadet Unit |
| 2001 | Wollongong Hawks |
| 2000 | Wollongong Wolves |
| 1997 | Anthony Warlow |
| 1997 | TS Albatross Cadets |
| 1995 | Steve Elkington |
| 1987 | Wayne Gardner |
Recent awards and recognition
Congratulations to Aunty Jodie Stewart and Uncle Peter Button, who were named Aboriginal Female and Male Elder of the Year respectively at the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards Dinner.
You have until 5pm, Tuesday 19 July to nominate someone for this year’s Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards.
We’re calling for nominations for the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards 2022!
The diverse winners’ list for Wollongong’s 2022 Australia Day Awards is a celebration of the city’s sporting stars, community volunteers, dedicated creatives and innovators.
It’s almost that time of year when we announce Wollongong’s Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Young Person of the Year at the city’s annual Australia Day Awards.
Wollongong City Council is making changes to the city’s Australia Day activities for Wednesday 26 January 2022.
Wollongong City Council recognises 2021 Illawarra Academy of Sport Scholarship Holders and their coaches and congratulates the Academy their support of our local talent.
Wollongong City Council’s ambitious Sustainable Wollongong 2030strategy and organisation-wide approach was acknowledged this week after Council was awarded one of the State’s top annual environmental awards—the Local Government NSW’s (LGNSW) Excellence in the Environment Awards’ Local Sustainability Award for 2021.
Wollongong City Council and the Illawarra Olympic Fundraising Committee want our community’s help to collaborate on a working group to help recognise our region’s Paralympians.
Wollongong City Council will name the North Beach Promenade and Terraces in honour of local swimming superstar Emma McKeon.
We’re calling on Wollongong to shine a light on our extraordinary residents and nominate those who are making a difference in our city.
Wollongong City Council is moving forward on plans to recognise local swimming sensation Emma McKeon.
Everyone who cheered on homegrown swimming sensation Emma McKeon during the Tokyo Olympics will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on ways to recognise her sporting success.
During a year overawed by the pandemic, Chaplain John Kewa was a beacon of hope from within the Wollongong community and today has been named Wollongong’s Citizen of the Year for 2021.
Do you know someone extraordinary?
Wollongong-born violin virtuoso Richard Tognetti will be awarded the Keys to the City in recognition of his long musical career, including his 30 years at the helm of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Wollongong City Council recognises the current Illawarra Academy of Sport Scholarship Holders and their coaches and congratulates the Academy on the exceptional work they undertake to enhance the skills of the athletes.
For generations, Geoff Phillips has been a firm fixture of local news bulletins and tonight he was named Wollongong’s Citizen of the Year for 2020.
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