2026 Citizen of the Year
Cameron Read (Cromer)

The Northern Beaches is known for its coast, beaches and sand; they shape our lifestyle, our community and our sense of belonging. But with this way of life comes responsibility, and few people carry it more proudly than Cameron.

As Club Captain of Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club, Cameron’s leadership and commitment spans decades, starting in 1998 as a lifesaver and growing into an influential volunteer leader. Today, he wears many hats - Club Captain, Patrol Captain, Jet Ski Captain, Inflatable Rescue Boat Trainer and Assessor and Rescue Watercraft Trainer for the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch. These roles aren’t just titles, they represent countless hours of service, training and mentoring that keep our coastline safe and our volunteer network strong.

In late 2025, Cameron’s steady hand guided his team through a dramatic rescue that earned the title NSW Rescue of the Year - a tragic shark incident that tested the emotional strength of the entire community and every volunteer on the beach that day. Cameron not only coordinated lifesaving responses but ensured the wellbeing of his team.

His commitment to mental health support and access to trauma services showed that leadership is as much about compassion as it is about courage. He has improved volunteer welfare and introduced initiatives that make service sustainable and rewarding. From sun safety gear to flexible rosters, his practical solutions have boosted morale and retention, ensuring Dee Why SLSC will remain a strong, volunteer-driven institution for years to come.

Since his nomination in early November, Cameron has continued to demonstrate this unwavering dedication. Most recently he played a critical role in another life-saving rescue at Dee Why Beach, where a man was successfully resuscitated after a near-drowning incident.

Cameron’s influence extends across the entire Northern Beaches. As a Rescue Watercraft Trainer for the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch, he mentors lifesavers from multiple clubs, raising the standard of emergency readiness for the whole coastline, along with oversight of regional rescue assets ensuring the region remains prepared.

2026 Senior Citizen of the Year
John Balfour OAM (Belrose)

For more than 5 decades, John has been a tireless volunteer, earning the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 for his extraordinary service in support of veterans.

In the last year alone, John has continued to lead with energy and purpose. Since 2014, as Parade Commander for the annual Forestville RSL sub-branch ANZAC Sunday March, he coordinates over 200 veterans, cadets and community members, ensuring safety and precision while fostering a sense of pride and remembrance.

John’s passion for education shines through his coordination of the Australia My Country art, poetry and writing competition for more than 20 local primary schools since 2018. This program gives children lessons about our nation’s proud record of protecting the community from harm.

John has also led the Remembrance Day Education Grant Program since 2019, which asks year 6 students to research and share the story of an ancestor who served in defence of Australia.

Beyond these initiatives, John has been the volunteer Project Manager for Australia’s Memorial Walk at North Head since 2015, coordinating all the memorial paver orders. He has also served as Secretary of the 7 Field Regiment Association since 1986, supporting over 220 members and preserving camaraderie among veterans through newsletters, records and events.

These recent achievements build on decades of service including his earlier volunteer work maintaining safe environments for school children and retirees as a groundsman at Belrose Public School (1985–2000) and Wesley Gardens Retirement Village (2005–2016), and also sharing local history as a tour guide at North Fort tunnels from 2013 - 2019.

John has also served as a Marshall for the annual ANZAC Day March in Sydney for 55 years, and has been Deputy Chief Marshall since 2015.

John’s efforts ensure that the stories of service and sacrifice are never forgotten, inspiring generations to value courage, commitment and community. John is a contributor with a strong sense of community spirit and his efforts have benefited a wide range of groups from school children to veterans. 

2026 Young Citizen of the Year
Tilly Cooper (Mona Vale)

At just 13 years old, Tilly has shown remarkable leadership and community spirit. She founded My Fijian Clothes Drive, a grassroots initiative that grew into a Beaches-wide campaign, mobilising schools, surf lifesaving clubs and families to donate clothing and swimwear for children in Fiji. Her efforts have delivered practical support overseas while inspiring generosity and sustainability locally.

Tilly identified a need and created a solution that addressed safety, dignity and equality. By leveraging social media, she built awareness and inspired ongoing support from families, schools and community groups. Her creativity and innovation shine through in the way she communicates her message, using storytelling and lived experience to connect with others.

She leads with inclusivity and integrity in everything she does. The foundation of My Fijian Clothes Drive was built on her desire to ensure every child has the dignity of proper clothing. By promoting reuse and redistribution, Tilly also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and reducing waste.

Beyond this initiative, she continues to show leadership through her latest project The Electric Way to Pedal, an Instagram campaign promoting e-bike safety for young riders. With the rapid rise in e-bike use, her project addresses a timely community need by raising awareness about safe riding practices and responsible use.

Through her volunteer work with Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club and as a Brighter Minds Ambassador, Tilly continues to model service, safety and wellbeing. Her ability to turn ideas into action demonstrates that leadership is not defined by age.

It is truly inspiring to see a young person contributing to her community in such a positive and impactful way, setting an example for others and proving that one person can create meaningful change.

2026 Sportsperson of the Year
Declan Budd (Terrey Hills)

Declan is one of Australia’s most promising para-swimmers, combining elite performance with humility and community spirit. In 2025 he won his first Australian Open title in the Men’s 100m Butterfly MC, added silver medals in the 200m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke and dominated the Australian Age Championships with 5 golds and a bronze.

Declan made his international debut at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore as the youngest male and only rookie on the Australian Dolphins team, earning recognition as Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month.

His journey began at age 5 at Terrey Hills Swim Club and continues today at Pymble Swimming under coach Rafael Rodrigues. His achievements include a world record in the Men’s S14 50m Butterfly (short course) in 2024 and a Tier One Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship, one of just 6 awarded nationwide.

Beyond the pool, Declan demonstrates leadership and fair play through his humility, respect for competitors and commitment to mentoring younger athletes. He volunteers at Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, promoting water safety and encouraging participation in water sports. His story is especially powerful for young athletes with disabilities, proving that world-class success can start in community pools.

Declan’s advocacy and achievements have brought national attention to para sport, helping shift perceptions and inspire inclusion. With his sights set on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and LA 2028 Paralympics, the Northern Beaches community will be watching closely as he continues his incredible journey.

2026 Community Event of the Year
Move for 60 - in Support of Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli

Move for 60 united the Northern Beaches in an inclusive celebration of movement, mental health and community spirit. Over 140 runners and 87 participants joined across 60 continuous hours of activity, from family fun runs and kids’ dance classes to yoga, boxing and breathwork sessions. Its key objective was to raise awareness of the staggering statistic of 60 men’s lives lost globally every day to suicide and proactively aims to reduce the stigma many men have around asking for help.

The event welcomed people of all ages and abilities, including athletes from Wheelchair Sports NSW and Achilles Sydney, promoting accessibility and inclusion.

Led by Vipers Run Club, the 60-hour relay formed the backbone of the event, embodying their motto - you never run alone. The program featured a World Mental Health Day community run, inspiring sessions with wheelchair athletes and blind runners sharing their experiences. The event culminated in a vibrant Community Activation Day with fitness classes, live music, food stalls and recovery hubs, creating a festival atmosphere that strengthened local connections.

By raising $46,574 for Lifeline Northern Beaches, the event funded nearly 1,200 crisis calls or 400 counselling sessions, ensuring support for those who need it most.

Move for 60 didn’t just raise funds, it sparked a powerful conversation about wellbeing. What began as a men’s mental health initiative through Vipers Run Club has grown into something much bigger - an inclusive movement proving that mental health is everyone’s business. Through connection, generosity and shared purpose, the initiative showed how a local idea can create lasting impact for an entire community.

2026 Community Group of the Year
Adopt A Beach Team - Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches

The Northern Beaches branch of Surfrider Foundation Australia has been protecting Australia’s coastlines for 34 years, and in 2025 its volunteers launched the Adopt a Beach program to tackle the growing threat of coastal pollution head-on.

At times our Northern Beaches are far from pristine. Manly Cove has recorded some of the highest microplastic levels per square metre in Australia, and global plastic pollution is forecast to triple by 2050. The Adopt a Beach program connects the community directly with this issue, turning concern into meaningful and positive action.

Structured clean-ups are held on the first Sunday of every month across 9 locations. Since February 2025, 95 community beach clean events have been held, engaging 1,300 community volunteers whose efforts diverted over 50,000 items of litter from further polluting our beaches and waterways.

The program benefits all residents and many annual visitors by safeguarding the environmental, social and economic value of our coastline. It also compiles credible data for the Northern Beaches Marine Debris Impact Report 2025, that identifies litter hotspots and provides recommendations to improve coastal pollution prevention policies. Recommendations from the report have already been acted on by Council with the implementation of a cigarette butt litter prevention program around Manly Wharf and the installation of dedicated butt litter bins.

Looking ahead, the Adopt a Beach Team will continue to engage the community in beach clean events and ocean conservation initiatives and collaborate with government agencies to advance its mission. Through people power, this program is creating lasting environmental change through the connection between mental health, ocean health and community wellbeing.

Glenice Bland (Manly)

For nearly 2 decades, Glenice has quietly and consistently given her time and energy to Lifeline Northern Beaches’ Book Fair, serving as mentor and the children’s category lead. Her long-standing commitment has not only shaped one of the organisations most important fundraising events, but also built a culture of kindness and support among volunteers.

Glenice is known for her willingness to help wherever needed, from mentoring new volunteers to encouraging Duke of Edinburgh students to stay through the demanding pack-up phase. She brings people together, builds friendships and teamwork that make volunteering a rewarding experience for all. Through her dedication, Glenice has strengthened the Lifeline community and helped raise vital funds for crisis support services, leaving a lasting impact on both the organisation and the Northern Beaches community.

Annie Bowen (Manly)

Since retiring in 2017, Annie has devoted herself to the Manly Women’s Bowling Club, coaching and mentoring prospective members with patience and care. Her commitment to running lessons and training sessions, often at all hours, has helped new players develop skills and confidence, with many going on to win inter-club and state championships. Annie’s efforts have strengthened the club and created a welcoming environment for all.

She also shares her passion for dance with seniors at the Manly Senior Citizens Centre, teaching popular classes that promote physical health and social connection. Annie’s volunteering journey spans decades, including outreach work with Drug Arm and the Salvation Army and fundraising with Sunrise Rotary. Her dedication reflects a lifetime of service, inspiring positive change and building friendships that enrich the Northern Beaches community.

Ariel Darley (Allambie Heights)

As Secretary of Warringah Aquatic Swimming Club, Ariel wears many hats to keep the club running smoothly - managing administration, compliance, membership and volunteer coordination and regularly dedicating more than 40 hours each week on top of full-time work.

As a qualified Swimming NSW Technical Official, she has directed and officiated numerous club and regional meets, bringing together hundreds of children, teens and families. Ariel also mentors’ new officials and volunteers, creating pathways for parents and young people to contribute to community sport. Her leadership inspires others to serve, building a strong culture of volunteering across the Northern Beaches. Representing the region on Swimming Metro Northeast and Swimming NSW committees, she ensures local swimmers benefit from state-level improvements. 

Carl Graham (Manly)

For 37 years, Carl has been a central driving force behind Northern Beaches Volleyball Association (NBVA), shaping it into one of Australia’s premier beach volleyball clubs and a true community hub. Under his guidance, NBVA has grown from 2 courts on Manly Beach to 8, all funded and maintained by the club. Today, NBVA supports over 400 competitive members, a social playing community of many thousands more and hosts 7 annual tournaments, junior development programs and pathways that have produced state, national and even Olympic athletes.

Carl’s vision has always been about inclusion: from grassroots players to elite competitors, everyone is welcome. Weekly social sessions like king of the court embody the culture he has championed. His tireless work has enhanced physical activity, social connection and youth development across the Northern Beaches, leaving a legacy measured not just in courts and competitions, but in friendships, belonging and community.

Andrew Lee (Dee Why)

Andy has made an extraordinary contribution to the Northern Beaches through his leadership of the Vipers Run Club and its flagship initiative, Move for 60. Over the past 4 years, Andy and the Vipers community have raise more than $500,000 for charities including Lifeline Northern Beaches, Mosman to Kirribilli, helping fund vital crisis counselling and suicide prevention services. He also helped lead the inaugural Vipers Community Ball, which raised nearly $100,000 for the Jenkins family following Jeff’s motor neurone disease diagnosis.

Beyond fundraising, Andy has created a safe space for conversations about mental health, building connection, resilience and inclusion across the community. Through empathy, persistence, and authentic leadership, Andy has helped ensure that the Vipers are far more than a running club; for many, they are a lifeline.

Tom Miles (Balgowlah)

Tom Miles has devoted decades to shaping the lives of young people through his tireless work with 1st Balgowlah Scout Group and NSW Scouts. A former scout himself, he returned as a leader when his children were young and, now retired, devotes even more time to mentoring and guiding hundreds of local children on their scouting journey. He organises countless community service activities each year from Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorations to Clean Up Australia Day, tree planting, hikes, camps and fundraising events. 

Tom’s leadership fosters resilience, responsibility and a spirit of service in every child he supports. Humble and widely respected, he embodies the values of community and volunteerism, creating opportunities for young people to connect, contribute, and grow.

Heidi Tobin (Dee Why)

Heidi has been a quiet force behind the scenes of hockey on the Northern Beaches for more than a decade as President of Seaforth Hockey Club and a long-standing volunteer committee member for Warringah Hockey and Northern Sydney Beaches Hockey Association. Her vision has led to the restoration of the Saturday local senior women’s competition, social 5-a-side competitions in spring and summer, and a Friday night competition in 2025, offering fast, fun hockey with music and a BBQ an inclusive alternative for teens and adults who cannot commit to full-field competitions.

Alongside her leadership roles, Heidi also coaches junior teams and does a lot of competition and club admin ensuring players of all ages have an affordable, fun way to stay active and connected. Her leadership has created pathways for junior players to progress into senior competitions in an affordable way while encouraging many former players to return to team sport, creating a strong social support network and sense of belonging. 

Herve Vichemont (Dee Why)

Herve has dedicated more than 15 years to surf life saving, serving as Patrol Captain, trainer, assessor and Sydney Northern Beaches RWC Operator Response Team and part of After Hours Dee Why SLSC Emergency Call Team. In January 2025, he led a complex rescue that earned Surf Life Saving NSW’s Rescue of the Year Award, exemplifying his calm leadership and lifesaving expertise.

Beyond frontline rescues, Herve trains and mentors new volunteers, ensuring the highest standards of safety and emergency care across the Northern Beaches. His commitment to patrolling beaches and educating future lifesavers has saved lives, strengthened volunteer capability and set the benchmark for excellence in community safety.

Jefflyn Ward (Narraweena)

Jefflyn has devoted more than 3 decades to supporting children and families through volunteer work with the Dalwood Auxiliary. As leader of the books section, she curates and organises donated books for jumble sales, raising vital funds for services at Dalwood Children’s Home, including speech therapy and psychological support for preschoolers.

Her background as an English and Special Education teacher shines through in her thoughtful approach, encouraging literacy and learning while fostering community connection. Jefflyn’s commitment to service began in the late 1960s with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Orana Club, where she supported people with disabilities and built lifelong friendships. She also mentored young girls as a leader with the Girls’ Brigade for many years, inspiring confidence and community spirit.