Lake Mac Awards

Winner: Dr Alyce Barnes

Dr Alyce Barnes is a proud Lake Macquarie local whose life is dedicated to improving the health and physical activity of everyone in the community – particularly girls and young families. 

A mother-of-three, she is a tireless volunteer, a leading researcher and academic, a passionate advocate for gender equality and equity, a representative sportswoman, a coach of grassroots community sport in Lake Macquarie and a champion of our city. Alyce has harnessed her passion to lead world-first physical activity programs and interventions throughout Lake Mac, prompting their expansion as far afield as the UK and Europe. 

She played a key role in the multi-award-winning Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered (DADAE) program, bringing fathers and their primary school-aged daughters together to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, boost wellbeing and enhance father-daughter bonds. 

Alyce is a senior researcher in health behaviour at the National Centre of Implementation Science and at the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health. She is the project lead for Hunter New England Health’s Physical Activity for Everyone (PA4E1) program, supporting secondary schools to implement active PE lessons, break time activities and activity-promoting school policies. 

Alyce is also a leading voice driving the introduction of modified 'physical activity-enabling’ school uniforms for girls at Hunter schools. Traditional girls' uniforms are seen as a barrier for female sport participation, with research demonstrating how this can improve with uniform updates. She has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed journal publications relating to women and girls in sport and physical activity. 

Outside work, Alyce volunteers her time to coach four girls’ touch football and soccer teams. A former representative touch football player, she has also led fundraising campaigns for RUN DIPG, a charity fighting to eradicate the most lethal childhood disease known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Winner: Emma Walsh

Emma was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in July 2022. Despite her illness, she wanted to help other seriously ill tweens and teens to navigate lengthy treatments more comfortably. Via her own charity, Emma's Warriors, Emma provides support to make long hospital stays more comfortable for young people.

To date, Emma's Warriors has raised over $160,000 in less than two years. Emma's Warriors offers care kits for children, portable wi-fi units and iPads for long-stay patients and financial support for families, including travel and accommodation, as they navigate their child’s illness. Emma's goal is to make life easier and pay forward the love she received throughout her own illness.

Highly Commended: Akash Enjeti

Akash is a compassionate, enterprising, courageous and creative teenager trying to change the world around him, starting with his local community. Researching various social issues, he was deeply moved by the fact that one in five young Australians struggle with mental health.

His own personal experience with performance anxiety as part of public speaking was a catalyst in his quest to develop ‘ChillOut’ a mindfulness website for young people that makes mindfulness more engaging and rewarding. The app helped him win the Rise for the World global challenge, a Hunter Young Business Mind Award and earned him a notable mention in the NSW Parliament.

Winner: Lee Baines

Lee is a dedicated leader and volunteer with Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie (MRLM), who has made a significant impact on the local community and broader boating community.

Since joining MRLM in 2017, Lee has written the highly successful book Lake Macquarie and its Coastline, which raised over $100,000 for MRLM. His leadership, passion for the water and commitment to safety have not only raised the profile of the region but also improved marine safety.

Lee continues to actively volunteer, offering training, conducting rescues and inspiring others to contribute to the community with his dedication and innovation.

Winner: Lee Baines

Lee is a dedicated leader and volunteer with Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie (MRLM), who has made a significant impact on the local community and broader boating community.

Since joining MRLM in 2017, Lee has written the highly successful book Lake Macquarie and its Coastline, which raised over $100,000 for MRLM. His leadership, passion for the water and commitment to safety have not only raised the profile of the region but also improved marine safety.

Lee continues to actively volunteer, offering training, conducting rescues and inspiring others to contribute to the community with his dedication and innovation.

Winner: Westlakes Athletics Club

Westlakes Athletics Club has served the Westlakes community out of Wangi Oval for over 30 years, fostering a vibrant mix of athletes of all abilities and their families. The club promotes a culture of encouragement, inclusivity, and personal bests, ensuring all athletes are celebrated for their effort. In the past two years, membership has doubled, leading to significant investments in new equipment and facility upgrades. Free coaching sessions and expanded opportunities for athletes with disabilities highlight the club’s commitment to accessibility. Westlakes Athletics Club continues to inspire athletes of all ages, enriching the Westlakes community through sport and camaraderie.

Highly Commended: Toronto Amateur Sailing Club

Toronto Amateur Sailing Club (TASC) has become NSW’s premier dinghy sailing regatta venue, driving local economic growth and fostering a thriving sailing community. Wth a growing membership, the club has hosted numerous state and national championships, attracting thousands to Lake Macquarie. TASC’s dedication to partnerships, inclusivity, and sailing development has earned it the Australian Sailing NSW & ACT Club of the Year and the prestigious Australian Club of the Year award. Through regattas, training programs and community events, TASC ensures sailing remains accessible and vibrant, enriching the Lake Macquarie community.

Winner: Few for Shoe

Few for Shoe is a powerful community event organised by Clare Schumacher, who turned her grief over the loss of her fiance to suicide into a force for change. The event brought together surfers from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the Central Coast to raise awareness for suicide prevention. The day was filled with surfing, community spirit and mental health resources, including partnerships with Lifeline and Stand By.

Profits from the event helped fund training for 30 community members, empowering them to recognise and support those struggling with mental health. Few for Shoe will return bigger and better this year.

Highly Commended: Orange Ride 4 Child Protection Awareness

The Orange Ride 4 Child Protection Awareness (OR4CPa) is a powerful community event that raises awareness for child protection across Lake Macquarie. Biker groups from Central Coast, Sydney and the Upper Hunter participate, assembling at Croudace Bay and riding to Rathmines. Supported by Lake Macquarie City Council, CALM Inc., Crest Financial Services, local bike businesses, radio stations and Lions Clubs, the 2024 event was a resounding success. The event culminated in a family-friendly gathering at Rathmines.

Winner: Dr Alyce Barnes

Dr Alyce Barnes has made it her life's work to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity, particularly among girls and young families.

She has been at the forefront of world-first physical activity interventions and programs based in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, working with University of Newcastle, HMRI, and Hunter New England Population Health and the National Centre of Implementation Science.

Alyce helped spearhead the internationally recognised Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered program, promoting sports skills and physical activity among daughters and their dads. She is a former NSW representative touch footballer and current soccer and touch football coach to four girls’ teams, working at sport's grassroots.

Winner: Shaun Swadling

Shaun Swadling has competed in trampoline sports since he was eight years old, contesting State, National and international events.  

The 2023 and 2024 NSW champion has enjoyed success at all levels of the sport, mentoring others along the way as NSW and Australian team captain. 

Shaun was the reserve athlete for the Paris Olympic games, passing on his wisdom to the team. 

A successful trampoline coach and qualified judge, Shaun teaches at Fennell Bay Public School and encourages students to be physically active through sport. 

He is also a trained ‘Rebound Therapy’ coach who has supported students with disabilities. 

Highly Commended: Jemma Pollard

Jemma Pollard is a sprint star speeding toward the top of world athletics. She holds the fastest 400m time for an under-20 athlete and is number five in the open senior ranks. 

Jemma earned a spot to compete at two World Championship events last year: the World Relays in the Bahamas with the 4x400 women’s relay team and the World Juniors in Peru. She claimed silver for Australia with the relay team in Peru and finished fourth in the individual 400m semi-final, ranking her 13th in the world overall.

Jemma also represented Team Lake Macquarie at the International Children’s Games in 2018 in Jeruselum and Russia 2019.

Winner: Xavier Orchard

Xavier Orchard has always been passionate about sport and representing his community, excelling across a range of athletic pursuits.  

He has captained the Macquarie Scorpions junior rugby league team and represented Lake Macquarie in athletics at the International Children’s Games in 2023 in South Korea, finishing fourth in the 1500m final.  

An outstanding junior player, referee and assistant coach, Xavier was the inaugural winner of the NSW Rugby League Young Person of the Year award in 2024 for his contribution to the sport. 

Xavier has represented his school at State level in swimming, athletics and cross country, earning the Charlton Christian College Secondary Sportsperson of the Year award 2023. 

Highly Commended: Erika Enderby

Erika Enderby has excelled in the sport of orienteering since the age of eight, mapping out an impressive global resume along the journey. 

She has competed in three Junior World Championships and was selected to represent Australia in her first Elite World Championships in 2024 at the age of 17 as the youngest competitor in the field. 

Erika was second in the Junior Oceania Sprint Championships in New Zealand, also 

finishing as the second Oceania competitor in the Elite Women's division. 

Erika captained the NSW Schools Orienteering Team, leading the team to the top of the podium at three of five Australian Schools Orienteering Championships. 

The multi-discipline athlete was also the Senior Girls Australian Schools Long Distance Champion and was named in the Australian Schools Honour Team. 

Winner: Jai Lonsdale

Jai Lonsdale is a passionate young environmentalist dedicated to keeping Lake Macquarie clean and beautiful. Tirelessly collecting litter along the lake’s shore, he spends his afternoons and weekends ensuring waste is disposed of responsibly. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Development Delay, ADHD and anxiety, Jai sometimes finds social interactions challenging. However, his commitment to sustainability has become a meaningful way for him to connect with his community in a safe and inclusive way. Through his dedication to the Return and Earn initiative, he reinvests his earnings into better equipment, inspiring others to care for the environment and fostering a stronger, more connected community.

Winner: The Groundswell Collective

The Groundswell Collective is a Lake Macquarie-based not-for-profit driving environmental change through innovative community initiatives. Over the past two years, they have planted eight tiny forests, introducing 5,500 native trees and shrubs to regenerate land, enhance biodiversity and combat climate change. Their Lake Mac Seed Library has distributed over 6,000 free seed packets, fostering food security and local resilience. Through biodiversity workshops, community gardens and environmental education, The Groundswell Collective empowers people to act. With measurable, lasting impact, including cooling urban spaces and restoring pollinator habitats, Tthe organisation is making Lake Macquarie a greener, more sustainable community.

Winner: Shay Perry

Shay Perry is a dedicated music educator and community leader, inspiring individuals of all ages to explore their passion for music. Through her successful tuition business, she has expanded beyond singing to include instrument and songwriting lessons, nurturing confidence and creativity in her students. Shay also founded a thriving community choir, bringing music to local events. Her commitment to accessible education led her to develop a music study and breakout space at the University of Newcastle. A passionate mentor and role model, Shay continues to enrich the Lake Macquarie arts scene with her dedication and vision.

Highly Commended: Cleo Doyle

Cleo Doyle is a proud Kamilaroi woman and an influential leader in the creative and performing arts. A Year 12 student at St Paul’s Catholic College, Cleo has made a profound impact on Lake Macquarie through her choreography, performances and teaching of Aboriginal contemporary dance. Her work champions the evolution of Aboriginal culture, blending tradition with innovation to inspire cultural understanding and unity. Through workshops, school programs and high-profile performances, Cleo fosters appreciation for Aboriginal storytelling in the arts. Her leadership, mentorship and dedication to cultural education continue to shape the region’s artistic landscape.

Winner: Luca Romeo

Luca Romeo, known as LUCA B DRUMS, is a teenage drumming prodigy from Kotara South, making waves in the global drumming community. A previous Lake Mac Awards finalist, he has amassed more than 12 million views across social media, inspiring young musicians with his technical skill. Endorsed by VRATIM Drumshoes and a promotional artist for brands like Roland and Donner, Luca has recorded and toured Australia, playing with local and international artists. Recognised by major drumming figures and invited to exclusive industry events, he continues to put Lake Macquarie on the map as a rising force in extreme metal drumming.

Highly Commended: Piper Butcher

Piper Butcher is a dynamic independent musician renowned for her dedication to the arts and community. Throughout 2024, she balanced teaching guitar to local students, mentoring at the Academy of Country Music and touring extensively across NSW. Her passion for live music led her to release her single Turn The Key, hosting a boutique launch event that supported local businesses. A former Australian Idol Top 24 finalist, Piper has performed at major festivals and shared stages with industry icons. Born with a cleft palate, Piper became an Operation Smile Ambassador in 2024, a global charity that provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries to young children and adults. She continues to inspire through music and mentorship.

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.

Learn more about the 2024 Lake Mac Awards winners

Since 1981, the Lake Mac Ambassador, formerly known as the Lake Mac Citizen of the Year, has been celebrated for their exceptional contributions to our city.  Explore our history and learn more about these remarkable individuals in Lake Macquarie.