World champion cliff-diver Rhiannon Iffland, Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteer Lee Baines and acclaimed mural artist Goya Torres are among more than 60 high-achieving finalists in the 2025 Lake Mac Awards.
The awards are the peak civic recognition for work done in the local community each year, from charities lending a hand to sports stars making an impact on the world stage.
This year's awards include 13 categories, with the Lake Mac Ambassador the city's top accolade.
Former RAAF 'Top Gun' pilot and local businessman Matt Hall, who was named 2024 Lake Mac Ambassador, will hand the baton to one of six finalists.
Among them are:
- Dr Alyce Barnes, a physical activity researcher who has spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns to increase physical activity among girls and women
- Aaron Carter, Deputy Principal Wellbeing at Wiripaang Public School, who has helped the school develop into a leader for community engagement
- Bradley Dunn, CEO of the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, the largest network of its kind in Australia
- Rhiannon Iffland, who took out an unprecedented eighth world cliff-diving title last November and has mentored other young divers across NSW
- Ann-Maria Martin, Founder of Survivor's R Us, for supporting survivors of domestic violence and advocating on their behalf
- Anna Noon, Co-founder of The Groundswell Collective and an advocate for social, environmental and climate issues.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said winners would be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 28 March.
"It is inspirational to learn more about the incredible achievements and efforts of people in Lake Macquarie, right across the spread of our 13 award categories," he said.
"All of our individual finalists display passion, determination and skill in their chosen fields, and the community groups and events who made the list are out there tirelessly doing fantastic things for our city."
The Lake Mac Community Group of the Year and Lake Mac Volunteer of the Year feature the longest lists of finalist names this year, with seven apiece.
"Those numbers don't just reflect how difficult it was for this year's judges – they show how much good is being done behind the scenes from one end of our city to the other, often without any attention or fanfare for those responsible," Mayor Adam said.
"The Lake Mac Awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on those great people and groups, and give everyone else in the community someone to aspire to and admire."
This year's Lake Mac Awards are proudly sponsored by Allambi Care and Avondale University.
Go to lakemac.com.au to book tickets to the Lake Mac Awards gala evening and to find out more about the awards program.
2025 Lake Mac Awards finalists
Lake Mac Artist and Creator
- Piper Butcher
- Cleo Doyle
- Luca Romeo
- Shannon Smith
- Goya Torres
Lake Mac Creative and Performing Arts Leader
- Cleo Doyle
- Susan Hart
- Shay Perry
- Matty Smith
Lake Mac Environmental Leader
- Gayle Russell
- The Groundswell Collective
- James Chesterfield and Jed Pennington
- Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group
- Wyee Point Reserve Landcare
Lake Mac Outstanding Contributor with Disability
- Tracey Blair
- John Domandl
- Jai Lonsdale
Lake Mac Young Sports Star
- Melissa Valentina Baez
- Erika Enderby
- Xavier Orchard
- Linkin Rae
- Zachary Tait
Lake Mac Sports Star
- John Domandl
- Jenny Enderby
- Nathan Outteridge
- Jemma Pollard
- Shaun Swadling
Lake Mac Sports Leader
- Dr Alyce Barnes
- Laraine Dunn
- Russell Grundy
- Emma Pollock
Lake Mac Community Event of the Year
- Few For Shoe
- Morisset Lake Macquarie Show
- Orange Ride 4 Child Protection Awareness
- Westlakes Carnival 2024
Lake Mac Community Group of the Year
- 80s Skaties
- Eastlakes U3A Inc
- Healing Path to Wellness
- Repair It Lake Mac
- Survivor's R Us Incorporated
- Toronto Amateur Sailing Club
- Westlakes Athletics Club
Lake Mac Senior of the Year
- Lee Baines
- Jill Maclachlan
- Judith Stokan
- Stephanie Turner
Lake Mac Volunteer of the Year
- Lee Baines
- Sandra Collins
- Lee James
- William Knight
- John Robertshaw
- Justin Rumore
- Judith Stokan
Lake Mac Young Citizen of the Year
- Nic Cade
- Cleo Doyle
- Akash Enjeti
- Francesca Kelly
- Jasmine Seidel
- Emma Walsh
Lake Mac Ambassador
- Dr Alyce Barnes
- Aaron Carter
- Bradley Dunn
- Rhiannan Iffland
- Ann-Maria Martin
- Anna Noon
