• Read the eligibility and criteria of your chosen category before applying.
• Register an account.
• Start your nomination and then submit when completed and ready for judging.
• You may edit your nomination after submitting, up until the nomination deadline of 24 November 2024
• You are eligible to enter more than one category, as long as the nomination submitted meets the criteria.
• An organisation, association or club may submit more than one nomination. Each nomination will need to be submitted separately, addressing the reasons for the nomination. 

Age eligibility and criteria

• Lake Mac Young Sports Star - nominee must be under 19 years at 31 January 2025
• Lake Mac Young Citizen of the Year - nominee must be under 21 years at 31 January 2025
• Lake Mac Ambassador - nominee must be 21 years or older at 31 January 2025
• Lake Mac Senior of the Year - nominee must be a senior and aged 65 years or older or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at 31 January 2025

General eligibility and criteria

• Individual nominees must reside in Lake Macquarie and nominated businesses/groups must be located in Lake Macquarie.
• Community groups, events or organisations must be based in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA) and primarily support the Lake Macquarie community.
• An organisation, association or club may submit more than one nomination. Each nomination will need to be submitted separately, addressing the reasons for the nomination.
• Employees of Lake Macquarie City Council can only be nominated for work outside their job with Council.
• Nominees must be Australian Citizens at 31 January 2025.
• Councillors and politicians are not eligible to be nominated and are not permitted to nominate someone.
• Recipients of previous awards are eligible to be re-nominated but can only win the same award for three consecutive years, and if successful, will qualify for the Lake Mac Awards Hall of Fame.
• Individuals can self-nominate.
• Unsuccessful nominees and winners from previous awards may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
• Nominee must not be a judge in the current Lake Mac Awards program and cannot have been a judge last year.

Community Group of the Year eligibility and criteria

• An eligible group may be an informal entity or an organised association that is not-for-profit (proof is required)
• Work carried out and achievements made must be on a volunteer basis

Community Event of the Year eligibility and criteria

• The event must have been held within the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA).
• The purpose of the event is to be community focused and not staged for personal or private reward or financial benefit.

Environmental Leader eligibility and criteria

• Not-for-profit groups and associations, individuals operating alone or as part of a private enterprise or not-for-profit may apply.
• A group nomination from a private enterprise will not be accepted (although a business may submit a nomination for an individual from the organisation).

Open with the important information.

Start with a clear and specific statement that outlines why your nominee (or yourself) is worthy of this award. Ask yourself the following questions:
• What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
• What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond their job description?
• How has the nominee changed their community, city or nation?
• Why are you motivated to nominate this person?

Share their story
Strengthen your nomination by painting a picture of the person.
• What motivates them to make a difference?
• What personal challenges have they overcome in their life?
• Why do they inspire others?

Think about additional relevant information
• Personal, academic and professional achievements
• Contribution to benefit others in the relevant field
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
• Previous awards and recognition
• Nature and length of activity or service

Consider your audience and avoid using jargon.

Don’t just say it, prove it. Use examples, facts and statistics.

Aim for quality responses and ensure you use the word limit effectivity.

Support your nomination with images, promotional items or a video.

• Nominations will be considered by the Lake Mac Awards Committee or a panel appointed by the Committee.
• The Committee may determine there is not a suitable winner for an award category.
• The Committee reserves the right to transfer nominees to other categories.
• The decision of the Awards Committee will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The judging of candidates will be based on the information provided in the award submission.
• Finalists will be announced in February 2025.
• Winners will be announced at a gala event in March 2025.

• Nominations closed on 24 November 2024
• Finalists announced and ticket sales for gala evening February 2025
• Awards gala night will be held 28 March 2025

Contact the awards team via email - [email protected]

Allambi Care

Allambi Care is a leading provider of support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across New South Wales and Victoria. We offer innovative, flexible care in out-of-home care, disability services, foster care and youth programs. Our team is committed to nurturing a sense of belonging, hope, and positive futures for those we work with.

Avondale University

Avondale is the first and only university in Lake Macquarie. It is one of the newest in Australia but with a more than 125-year history of providing quality higher education. Established in Cooranbong by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1897, Avondale’s pioneering heritage is one of creating opportunities for all students to improve their lives and the lives of those they love.

High-level, inclusive and individual support - including a free wellbeing program - in small classes with easy access to lecturers helps students get the most out of their study. They show this by ranking Avondale as one of Australia’s top-tier universities—number one for overall educational experience (The Good Universities Guide 2024), for example.

For demonstrated excellence in the field of arts and creative production. This award is for a group or individual who demonstrates excellence in their field of creative and artistic focus, including literacy, digital arts, performing arts, music, visual arts, sculpture and all fields of creative composition.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate qualities such as innovation, creativity, personal achievements in their field, and contributions that benefit others.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100
2. Please provide an overview of the nominee’s contributions to the creative and/or performing arts in Lake Macquarie which benefit or inspire others. Maximum word count: 200
3. Please describe the body of work carried out over the past two years, explaining the quality, diversity and significance of that work. Maximum word count: 200
   
   

   You could include:

   • Personal, academic and professional achievements
   • Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
   • Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
   • Previous awards and recognition
   • Nature and length of activity or service
4. Please give a brief overview of the nominee's creative career/history. Maximum word count: 200

You could include:

• What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
• What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond?
• Why are you motivated to nominate this person?

For outstanding demonstration of leadership and contribution to the arts. This category is for a group or an individual that demonstrates excellence in their field of creative and artistic focus, including literacy, digital arts, performing arts, music, visual arts, sculpture and all fields of creative composition.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate qualities such as innovation, creativity, personal achievements in their field, contributions that benefit others, and activities that engage and inspire other artists.

Reasons for the nomination

 Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100 
2. Please provide an overview of the nominee’s contributions to the creative and/or performing arts in Lake Macquarie which benefit or inspire others. Maximum word count: 200
3. Please describe the work carried out over the past year, explaining the quality, diversity and significance of that work. Maximum word count: 350

   You could include:

   • Personal, academic and professional achievements
   • Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
   • Activities which engage and inspire other artists
   • Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
   • Previous awards and recognition
   • Nature and length of activity or service
4. Please summarise the work carried out over their lifetime, explaining the quality, diversity and significance of their work. Maximum word count: 250 

You could include details in the following areas:

• Increases participation in arts and culture, particularly among diverse cultural groups
• Increases the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture
• Delivers benefits to the broader community
• Provides valuable artistic experiences for children and young people
• Provides professional or community development and educational opportunities
• High level of community engagement, partnerships and collaborations
• Has a body of work demonstrating excellence

For outstanding demonstration of leadership and contribution to the Lake Macquarie environment. This category is for a group or an individual.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate qualities such as leadership, innovation, creativity, achievements in their field, and activities that inspire or contribute to a positive impact on the environment.

Not-for-profit groups and associations, individuals operating alone or as part of a private enterprise or not-for-profit may apply. Businesses may submit a nomination for an individual but not for the organisation itself.

Additional Award eligibility

Nominee is not a private business (an individual is allowed).

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please describe the work carried out to improve the environment over the past two years. Max word count: 350

   As an example:

   • Describe activities and initiatives that have made an impact or inspired others to make change
   • How long this took
   • What resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
   • What social, environmental or economic impact did they achieve?
   • What changed or improved and to what extent?
3. Please demonstrate other key achievements and contributions made to improve the environment over the past 10 years. Maximum word count: 350

This may include a combination of:

• Activities and initiatives conducted over a lifetime
• Demonstrating a measurable positive environmental (as well as social and economic if relevant) impact as a result of carrying out work
• Community engagement or education
• Demonstrated achievement in advocacy
• Increases in participation in community activities in relation to environmental sustainability
• What changed or improved and to what extent?

4. Describe an occasion (or occasions) where the nominee has been instrumental in creating a permanent, measurable, and direct change to the Lake Macquarie environment. Max word count: 200

For outstanding achievement or contribution by a person with disability, including physical, neurological or psychological barriers. This category is for an individual.

Entry Criteria  

Nominees must demonstrate qualities such as leadership, advocacy, innovation, skill, community contribution, bravery or creativity in areas such as sport, performing or creative arts, environmental impact, volunteering, business, education, or health.

Additional Award eligibility

Nominee is an individual with disability.

Reasons for the nomination

 Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100 
2. Please describe the nominee’s achievements or contribution in Lake Macquarie over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350  

   As an example:

   • Why are you motivated to nominate this person?
   • What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
   • What barriers have they overcome to benefit themselves or others?
   • How have they helped to promote diversity, equity and inclusion either directly or by example?
   • How much time do they dedicate?
   • What has improved or changed?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
   • What social, environmental or economic impact did they achieve?
   • How many people were reached or impacted positively?
3. Please explain the nominee's achievements or contribution over their lifetime. Maximum word count: 250 
4. Please explain how the nominee’s achievements or contributions have demonstrated one or more of the following: leadership, advocacy, innovation, entrepreneurship, skill, bravery, community contribution or creativity. Maximum word count: 350 

You could include relevant information such as:

• Personal, academic and professional achievements
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
• Examples of creating, promoting or supporting employment and/or access opportunities for people with disability either directly or by example
• Previous recognition or awards
• Nature and length of activity or service
• Community development, engagement or advocacy to promote diversity and inclusion
• Representation of the City at regional, state, national and international levels 

For outstanding performance in junior sports. Nominee(s) must be 18 years or younger at 31 January 2025. This category is for an individual or a group/team.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate high level sporting performance at regional, state, national or international competitions.

An organisation, association or club may submit more than one nomination. Each nomination will need to be submitted separately, addressing the reasons for the nomination.

Additional Award eligibility

The nominee is 18 years or younger at 31 January 2025.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100
2. Please provide as much detail of the nominee's performance as possible in regional, state, national or international competitions over the past two years.  Maximum word count: 350  
3. Please provide a summary of the nominee's lifetime achievements in regional, state, national or international competitions.  Maximum word count: 250  
4. Please demonstrate how the nominee has shown extraordinary qualities in one or more of the following: leadership, sportsmanship or discipline. Maximum word count: 350 

This category recognises outstanding performance in sports by an athlete(s) 19 years or older at 31 January 2025. This category is for an individual or a group/team.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate high level sporting performance at regional, state, national or international competitions.

An organisation, association or club may submit more than one nomination. Each nomination will need to be submitted separately, addressing the reasons for the nomination.

Additional Award eligibility

The nominee is 19 years or older at 31 January 2025.

Reasons for the nomination

 Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary about your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100
2. Please provide as much detail of the nominee's performance as possible in regional, state, national or international competitions over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350  
3. Please provide a summary of the nominee's lifetime achievements in regional, state, national or international competitions.  Maximum word count: 250  
4. Please demonstrate how the nominee has shown extraordinary qualities in one or more of the following: leadership, sportsmanship or discipline. Maximum word count: 350 

In memory of Norm Johnson for outstanding contribution to sporting life in Lake Macquarie. This category is for a group or an individual.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate achievements in areas such as coaching, promotion of participation in sport, community development or engagement, sports operation/administration, or raising the profile of the sport,

An organisation, association or club may submit more than one nomination. Each nomination will need to be submitted separately, addressing the reasons for the nomination.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100
2. Please provide as much detail of the nominee's contribution to sporting life in Lake Macquarie as possible. Maximum word count: 350  
   
   

   As an example:

   • What did they do?
   • How much time do they dedicate?
   • What has improved?
   • How many people were reached or impacted?
   • Coaching
   • Raising the standard of sport
   • Increased participation in sport
   • Community development and engagement
   • Representation in sport at high levels to raise the profile of Lake Macquarie and the sport
   • Operation and sports administration
3. Please explain the nominee's achievements over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350 

   Demonstrate achievements in one or more of the following areas:

   • Coaching to enhance the performance of athletes and raising the standard of games during the past year (and over a lifetime)
   • Promotion of participation sports
   • Community development and engagement
   • Representation in sport at regional, state, national and international levels to raise the profile of Lake Macquarie and the sport
   • Operation and sports administration
4. Please provide a summary of the nominee's key achievements over their lifetime. Maximum word count: 250 

For an outstanding community event that has created a positive impact in Lake Macquarie and helps create a vibrant community. This category is for a group or an individual.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate how the event has improved social, cultural or environmental wellbeing and created a positive impact on the local community, region or beyond.

Additional Award eligibility

• The event was held within the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA).
• The event was community focused and not staged for personal or private reward or financial benefit.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please describe the community event(s) held during the past year. Maximum word count: 350

   This may include a combination of:

   • Details of the event
   • Management processes
   • How the event was innovative or unique in nature
   • What resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
3. Please demonstrate achievements. Max word count: 350 

This may include a combination of:

• Sources of funding
• Time spent on overall organisation of the event
• Community engagement through participation, inclusivity, volunteering, and attendance
• How the event had a positive impact on the local community, region or beyond.
• Likely future or ongoing impact and legacy
• Purpose of community building and engagement
• What changed or improved and to what extent?

For an outstanding community group that has created a positive impact in Lake Macquarie. This category is for a group.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate how the group’s work has improved the social, cultural or environmental wellbeing of the community. 

Additional Award eligibility

• The group is either an informal entity or an organised association that is not-for-profit.
• Work carried out and achievements made were done on a volunteer basis. 

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please provide as much detail as possible to describe the level of work and achievements made during the past two years. Maximum word count: 350

   As an example, demonstrate:

   • What did they do?
   • How long did it take and what resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out or produced?
3. Please describe the level of work and achievements made over the past 10 years. Maximum word count: 250
4. Please explain how the group's work has contributed to improving the quality of life for people in Lake Macquarie. Maximum word count: 350

This may include a combination of:

• The level of impact achieved
• How many people were reached
• The extent of change or improvement
• Likely future or ongoing impact and legacy

For outstanding demonstration of leadership skills and community contribution. Nominee must be a senior and aged 65 years or older, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at 31 January 2025. This category is for an individual. 

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate achievements in areas such as leadership, bravery, advocacy, innovation, creativity, skill, discipline, community contribution, etc. that help to create social, environmental or economic impact.

Additional Award eligibility

• Nominee is a senior and aged 65 years or older or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at 31 January 2025.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please describe what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350

   As an example, demonstrate:

   • What did they do?
   • How long did it take and what resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
   • What social, environmental or economic impact did they achieve?
   • What changed or improved and to what extent?
   • What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
   • What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond their job description?
   • How has the nominee changed their community, city or nation?
   • Why are you motivated to nominate this person?
3. Please summarise what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over their lifetime. Maximum word count: 250
4. Please demonstrate what the work has helped to achieve in one or more of the following areas: leadership, bravery, advocacy, innovation, creativity, skill, discipline, community contribution. Max word count: 350   

You could include:

• Personal, academic and professional achievements
• Contribution to benefit others in the relevant field
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
• Previous awards and recognition
• Nature and length of activity or service

For outstanding community contribution. This category is for an individual. 

Entry Criteria

Nominees must work as volunteers and demonstrate how their work has improved social, cultural or environmental wellbeing. 

Additional Award eligibility

Nominee is a volunteer and work was done on a volunteer basis. 

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please provide as much detail as possible to describe the level of work and achievements made during the past two years. Max word count: 350

As an example, demonstrate:

• What did they do?
• How long did it take and what resources were used, provided or sourced?
• What was the volume of work carried out or produced?

3. Please provide as much detail as possible to describe the level of work and achievements made over a lifetime. Maximum word count: 250

4. Please explain how the nominee's work has contributed to improve quality of life. Max word count: 350 

This may include a combination of:

• The level of impact achieved
• How many people were reached
• The extent of change or improvement
• Likely future or ongoing impact and legacy

For outstanding demonstration of leadership skills and community contribution. Nominee must be under 21 years at 31 January 2025. This category is for an individual.

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate achievements in areas such as leadership, bravery, advocacy, innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, skill, discipline, community contribution, etc. that help to create social, environmental or economic impact.

Additional Award eligibility

Nominee is under 21 years at 31 January 2025.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Maximum word count: 100
2. Please describe what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350

   As an example, demonstrate:

   • What did they do?
   • How long did it take and what resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
   • What social, environmental, business, economic impact did they achieve?
   • What changed or improved and to what extent?
   • What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
   • What has the nominee accomplished that is innovative or above and beyond usual expectations?
   • How has the nominee changed their community, city or nation?
   • Why are you motivated to nominate this person?
3. Please describe what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over their lifetime. Maximum word count: 350
4. Please demonstrate what the work has helped to achieve in one or more of the following areas: leadership, bravery, advocacy, innovation, creativity, skill, discipline, community contribution. Maximum word count: 350

You could include:

• Personal, academic and professional achievements
• Contribution to benefit others in the relevant field
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
• Previous awards and recognition
• Nature and length of activity or service

For outstanding demonstration of leadership skills and community contribution. Nominee must be 21 years or older at 31 January 2025. This category is for an individual not a group. 

Entry Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field and how they have made an exceptional contribution or significant difference to their community or cause. They should be regarded as a person of distinction in their field and their efforts should contribute to or inspire positive social, environmental or economic impact.  

Additional Award eligibility

Nominee is 21 years or older at 31 January 2025.

Reasons for the nomination

Personal information details are included in the nomination form.

1. Please provide a short summary of your nominee for promotional purposes. Max word count: 100
2. Please describe what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over the past two years. Maximum word count: 350 

   As an example, demonstrate:

   • What did they do?
   • How long did it take and what resources were used, provided or sourced?
   • What was the volume of work carried out?
   • What social, environmental or economic impact did they achieve?
   • What changed or improved and to what extent?
   • What activities or actions has the nominee undertaken that stand out?
   • What has the nominee accomplished that goes above and beyond their job description?
   • How has the nominee changed their community, city or nation?
   • Why are you motivated to nominate this person?
3. Please describe what the candidate has achieved through their endeavours over their lifetime. Maximum word count: 250 
4. Please demonstrate what the work has helped to achieve in one or more of the following areas: leadership, bravery, advocacy, innovation, creativity, skill, discipline, community contribution. Maximum word count: 350 

You could include:

• Personal, academic and professional achievements
• Contribution to benefit others in the relevant field or to achieve better outcomes
• Demonstrated leadership, innovation, creativity and personal determination
• Examples of how the nominee demonstrates progressive leadership, encourages diversity and inclusion, mentors and inspires others, and creates innovative pathways and solutions
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
• Previous awards and recognition
• Nature and length of activity or service