A quality field of 21 individuals and five organisations have been nominated in the 2020 Port Stephens Annual Awards.

The awards recognise the outstanding contributions individuals and groups make in the Port community. The 2020 awards go a step further and recognise those who have supported others during the challenging COVID-19 times.

The award categories which nominees are judged on suitability for are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Freeman of Port Stephens, the Port Stephens Medal, Sportsperson of the Year, Cultural Endeavour and Environmental Citizen of the Year.

Award winners will be announced at Port Stephens Council's invite-only civic ceremony on Australia Day - Tuesday, January 26 - at Medowie Social. The event will be live streamed on the council's Facebook page.

Since his retirement from school teaching, Raymond Terrace Rotarian John Chambers has thrown himself into supporting his local community. John has implemented a number of community programs to support the Port's most vulnerable including a driver training program, a furniture bank which sees John collecting, storing and distributing household furniture to families in need, and a host of other initiatives. John volunteers a staggering 40 plus hours a week to these endeavours.

Alan Cloke was part of the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre since 2008, as a board member and chairman. Alan was instrumental in the expansion and growth of the centre, which redirects over 2000 tonnes of recyclable materials heading to landfill each year. Sadly, Alan passed away last year.

As a retired nurse and educator, Michele Ableson established the Port Stephens Covid-19 Coronavirus Support Network network on Facebook in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, with the focus being on providing local people credible health information.

For 23 years Dennis Peters was on the frontline of countless firefighting and rescue efforts in Port Stephens. The now retired Raymond Terrace Fire and Rescue captain is passionate about community education around the importance of fire safety.

Peter Clough has worked tirelessly in the Nelson Bay community for many years. Peter has been a strong voice in this community to support, promote and advocate for business on the Tomaree Peninsula. In recent times Peter has served as business development manager with Tomaree Business Chamber, growing the group's membership base and supporting local start-ups.

Dan Howard has been a basketball coach and mentor with PCYC for the past 9 years, since he was 16 years old. In April last year, in response to COVID-19 lockdowns he launched Coach Dan Skills and Drills on YouTube and Facebook to keep in touch with local basketball teens and to motivate them to keep fit during lockdown, which has attracted over 400 followers.

John de Ridder has been the president of Caring for Port Stephens Youth since 2016. Passionate about mental health and wellbeing in young people, John has been an active member in advocating and seeking financial support for this important local charity. He was instrumental in securing funding and establishing a free counselling service for young people, Jupiter, in the Tomaree area in 2019, as well as a telehealth service in 2020.

At only 10 years of age, Zeke is a sporting pocket rocket. Playing rugby league, AFL, little athletics, nippers, touch football, and swimming, Zeke has represented the area in several zone, regional and state competitions, and inspires those around to enjoy sport like him.

Kevin Stokes is a founding member of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. With a passion for the environment and keen botanical knowledge, Kevin has contributed to the gardens growth and success over several decades.

Save Port Stephens Koalas is a not-for-profit community organisation which arose in response to community concern for the local koala population. The group has brought together residents from across Port Stephens to contribute to campaigning to protect koalas for future generations.

Chantal Parslow is a strong environmental voice in Port Stephens. With a background in environmental politics and a passion for conservation, Chantal started the campaign to Save Port Stephens Koalas and Stop the Brandy Hill Quarry expansion, which has gained national and international attention and support.

Kaye Newton and Peter Robinson have volunteered tirelessly over many years on various events and projects, and contributed to the historical education of Raymond Terrace and surrounds. They have been active members of the Raymond Terrace and District Historical Society, King St Preservation and Action Group and The Australian Heritage Festival. They initiated and coordinated the Step Back to King Street Heritage Festival in 2015. Kaye and Peter have recently relocated to New Zealand.

Nikki Waters is an accomplished artist and natural leader who has supported the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre for the past 21 years. Nikki has taught and mentored many other local artists, and gives her time freely to volunteer for art exhibitions and events. During COVID last year, Nikki initiated the ART Self-Challenge, which saw local artists challenging themselves on a weekly basis with a new skill, and was an opportunity to stay connected with supported during this challenging time.

Johan Kruger is a hard working business owner and electrician based in Medowie. Johan immigrated to Australia in 2011 with this family from South Africa and loves his new home and community in Port Stephens. Throughout COVID, Johan has supported many local and struggling families with free electrical and solar work.

Medowie Girl Guides has been part of the Port Stephens community for over 40 years. A dedicated group of leaders and volunteers give their time for the Medowie Girl Guides group to help teach young women new skills, develop independence, build confidence, make friends and become active community members.

Building relationships and supporting our communities most vulnerable is Clare Saunders' passion. As the current program support officer at Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre, Clare has been instrumental in establishing and running numerous programs for children, young people, disabled, homeless, and isolated seniors; and is always looking for new and improved ways to support and to better service our most needy.

The Nelson Bay product has been involved in local sport since she was a child through local touch football, surf live saving, and netball. But rugby union is where Maya has found her strength. Through hard work and a dedicated training schedule, Maya has found herself on the starting side of the NSW Waratahs team who play in the Super W rugby union competition. Maya is currently vying for a spot in the national Wallaroos squad to participate in the upcoming Olympics and Rugby World Cup.

Parkrun is a free and week community fitness event that happens all over the world, including in Fingal Bay. Unfortunately due to COVID, parkrun was suspended for most of 2020. However, the organisers at Fingal Bay parkrun endeavoured to keep people active and connected through a virtual parkrun where runners could track and log their own personal times each week.

Lia and Ryan Pereira are the founders of Sea Shelter - a not-for-profit marine conservation, research and rescue organisation. The duo are passionate about preserving the local environment and supporting threatened and endangered animals through breeding programs, research, rehabilitation and rescue.

Alisha Onslow is co-founder and current President of Climate Action Port Stephens and an active member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens. Alisha is a dedicated campaigner and activist, and is passionate about raising community awareness around the issue of climate change and inspiring local action.

The Nelson Bay Civic Pride Group is a dedicated group of volunteers who have been working since 2017 to beautify the gardens and streets of Nelson Bay. If you're in the Nelson Bay area between 5am and 8am each morning, you might spot the group weeding, watering or tending to one of the many gardens they look after.

A proud Wonnarua man, Andrew Smith is a well-respected community leader in our area. Andrew has been the CEO of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council since 2006, and has been instrumental in the land council going from strength to strength. Andrew is dedicated to advocating for and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and to protecting and fostering Aboriginal culture and identity.

Ron Swan takes great pride in being involved in his community. Ron is a previous Port Stephens councillor and mayor, and Order of Australia recipient. Ron founded the Clans of the Coast event, and has supported many fundraising efforts over the years.

The Port Stephens Celtic Association Committee has coordinated the popular Clans of the Coast historic event for the past 13 years. This much loved and family event is a highlight on the Nelson Bay events calendar.