Citizens of the Year around the Hunter awarded

Newcastle

Bailey Myers was crowned as City of Newcastle’s Citizen of the Year for his monumental solo walk from Western Australia to Newcastle in March 2024, which spanned almost six months and raised nearly $16,000 in donations.

The feat was in support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, who provide crucial academic support to First Nations communities in remote areas.

Port Stephens
Judy Washington was not only named Port Stephens Citizen of the Year but honoured with Freeman of the Year status as well.

Ms Washington is the recent author of Paradise Interrupted – Tomaree Headland in WWII, a military history account of the comprehensive history of the region during WWII.

Ms Washington undertook the project on behalf of the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group on a pro-bono basis and continues to give all of the proceeds to the organisation.

Maitland
Musician and mentor John Gregory “Greg” Queenan certainly hit the right note by being named the Maitland Citizen of the Year.

For more than five decades, he’s been a cornerstone of the community, including as a leader with the City of Maitland Pipes and Drums.

Nominator Dr Janece McDonald said Mr Queenan was a fitting candidate for the honour.

Cessnock
Local cancer advocate Liam Woods is the well-deserved recipient of the Cessnock Citizen of the Year award.

Mr Woods, a strong supporter for The Leukaemia Foundation, Stem Cell Donors Australia and Transplant Australia, was among 13 individuals and groups acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the community.

He’s also helped others by sharing stories and experiences of his own transplant journey and raising vital funds for these important organisations and their research.

Find more community stories in our Autumn edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story Olivia Goeldner