Physical activity crusader takes out top honours at Lake Mac Awards

Published on 29 March 2025

A University of Newcastle researcher at the forefront of world-first physical activity interventions and programs has taken out Lake Macquarie’s top annual civic honour.

Dr Alyce Barnes was on Friday night named Lake Mac Ambassador for 2025, taking the reins from 2024 winner and former top gun pilot Matt Hall.

Dr Barnes helped spearhead the internationally acclaimed Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program, bringing fathers and their primary school-aged daughters together to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, boost wellbeing and enhance father-daughter bonds.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz, who presented the award at a gala ceremony at Belmont 16s, said Dr Barnes was also the project lead for Hunter New England Health’s Physical Activity for Everyone (PA4E1) program for local secondary schools, and a leading voice driving the introduction of ‘physical activity-enabling’ school uniforms for girls.

“Alyce is a shining example of how one person’s passion, commitment and determination can make very real and beneficial differences in our community,” he said.

“She is a proud Lake Macquarie local and a role model in all facets of her life, from her work as a researcher to her role at the grassroots of sports and physical activity, coaching four separate junior girls’ touch football and soccer teams.”

Dr Barnes said the award was acknowledgement not just of her work but the collective efforts of the researchers, teachers and communities she worked alongside to create change.

“I am deeply passionate about ensuring that every girl, no matter her background, has the opportunity to move, play and thrive,” she said.

“My work is driven by a vision of equity, where all girls see themselves reflected in sport, feel supported in movement and have access to safe and inclusive spaces to participate.”

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said the university was proud to celebrate the work its academics did to make communities healthier, stronger and more connected.

“Alyce is a powerful example of that, and I’m thrilled she has been recognised for her tireless dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in the community – particularly girls and young families,” he said.

This year’s Lake Mac Awards, sponsored by Allambi Care and Avondale College, covered 13 categories, with other winners including:

• 2025 Lake Mac Young Citizen of the Year Emma Walsh, a leukaemia survivor who created her own foundation and raised more than $70,000 to provide support to seriously ill young people and their families
• Lake Mac Volunteer of the Year and Senior of the Year Lee Baines, a Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie volunteer who has led more than 150 rescues and raised more than $100,000 for the organisation
• Lake Mac Environmental Leader The Groundswell Collective, a non-profit organisation that has planted eight ‘tiny forests’ and distributed more than 6000 free seed packets across Lake Macquarie
• Lake Mac Artist and Creator Luca Romeo, aka Luca B Drums, a teenage musician whose ‘extreme metal’ drumming has gone viral online and prompted recording and touring gigs nationally.

“I congratulate all our amazing winners for this year,” Mayor Adam said.

“Their achievements demonstrate the depth and breadth of work people undertake selflessly in Lake Macquarie, day in, day out.”

2025 Lake Mac Awards winners and highly commended recipients