We acknowledge people, community groups and organisations that make Wollongong a better place.
Nominations have now closed for the 2022 Wollongong Australia Day Awards.
Winners will be announced shortly before Australia Day.
2021 Australia Day Award Winners
- Citizen of the Year: Chaplain John Kewa
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Laurence Jennett OAM
- Young Citizen of the Year: Thura Sabbar
- Arts and Cultural Achievement Award: Sharon Buikstra
- Sports Achievement Award: Open Men's Boat Crew, Bulli Surf Life Saving Club
- Innovation Achievement Award: Professor Sharon Robinson
- Community Group Award: One Door Mental Health Committee
- Diversity and Inclusion Award: Lisa Cuda
- Wollongong to the World Award: Corey Tutt
- Wollongong to the World Award: Carol Kiernan
- Lord Mayor's Award: Hasan Al Taleb
- Lord Mayor’s Award: Dapto High School.
You can read about each of our 2021 award recipients in our 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
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.