Celebrating local volunteers

Week after week, volunteers quietly show up for our community, giving their time, sharing their skills and looking out for others.

On Saturday 28 February, those efforts were proudly celebrated at the 2026 Cook Community Awards at Gymea Tradies.

Community leaders, families and supporters came together to recognise the people who make a meaningful difference across the federal electorate of Cook.

Sydney Airport is proud to once again support these awards and stand alongside the volunteers who help our communities thrive.

Mental Health Advocacy Award winner Alan Smyth with his family and Simon Kennedy.

Quiet achievers in the spotlight

From grassroots sport and surf lifesaving to education, environmental stewardship, disability inclusion, mental health advocacy, church life and community service, the 2026 recipients reflect the breadth of voluntary leadership across the Cook electorate.

Hosted by the Office of the Federal Member for Cook, the awards celebrate local volunteers across the electorate.

“These awards recognise the quiet achievers in our community, people who step up, give their time and serve others not for recognition but because they care. Often their work happens behind the scenes, without fanfare, yet its impact is felt deeply across our community,” Mr Kennedy said.

Nominated by those who have seen their efforts firsthand, each awardee represents the big difference that local action and leadership can make.

Volunteer of the Year

2026 Cook Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Lisa Brown in recognition of her long-standing service to local sport and her unwavering commitment to families across the Cook electorate.

For many years, Lisa has served as Registrar for Gymea Soccer Club, a role that requires extensive behind-the-scenes work, organisation and patience to help ensure a smooth season for hundreds of local families. She has also generously supported Sutherland Titans FC and St Pats Baseball Club, continuing to give back to community sport well beyond her own family’s direct involvement.

Her contribution has helped strengthen local sport, support families and build the sense of belonging that community clubs are built on.

“Lisa Brown has gone above and beyond for local families and community sport. Her contribution has strengthened local clubs, supported young people and helped build the sense of belonging that community sport creates,” Mr Kennedy said.

2026 Volunteer of the Year Award winner, Lisa Brown with Simon Kennedy and Sydney Airport team members Leane Van Essen and Liz Seatter.

Young Volunteer of the Year

2026 Cook Young Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Angus Cunningham for his courage, compassion and leadership in using his personal experience to support others.

After facing cancer twice before the age of 12, Angus chose to share his journey publicly to encourage and support other young people and families facing serious illness. Through his book, Twice Before Twelve, and his advocacy, he has helped raise awareness, foster understanding and offer hope and reassurance to others navigating cancer treatment and its challenges, including the mental health impacts that can follow.

“Angus Cunningham has shown extraordinary courage and generosity. His willingness to turn personal hardship into support for others, and the honesty and vulnerability he has shown in sharing his story, is an outstanding example of young leadership in our community,” Mr Kennedy said.

2026 Young Volunteer of the Year Award winner, Angus Cunningham.

Legacy of Lifetime Excellence in Surf Lifesaving Award

There was also a special tribute to local legend, Warren Rennie AM, who received the Inaugural Legacy of Lifetime Excellence in Surf Lifesaving award in recognition of an extraordinary lifetime of service.

Warren Rennie AM has dedicated almost 70 years to surf lifesaving, beginning at North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club as a teenage lifesaver and going on to serve as a lifesaver, coach, referee, educator and administrator at club, state, national and international level. His decades of service have helped shape standards in surf lifesaving while mentoring generations of volunteers.

2026 Legacy of Lifetime Excellence in Surf Lifesaving award winner, Warren Rennie AM.

As a longstanding supporter of community initiatives in our community, Sydney Airport is privileged to sponsor the Cook Awards which recognise the volunteers who make such a meaningful contribution to local life.

Sydney Airport congratulates all 2026 Cook Awards recipients and thanks them for the care, dedication and leadership.

2026 Cook Awards recipients:

Alex Johnston - Sports Volunteer Award (Baseball)

Dave Richards - Sports Volunteer Award (Baseball)

Jodie Green - Sports Volunteer Award (Rugby Union)

Katrina Sant - Sports Volunteer Award (Rugby League)

Maureen Crowther - Sports Volunteer Award (Swimming and Table Tennis)

Helen Hamilton-Foster - Sports Volunteer Award (Water Polo)

Luke Khoury - Community Sporting Development Award

Jarryd Biviano - Community Sporting Development Award

Tracie Sammut - Sporting Trailblazer Award

Sandra Moss - Sports Mentor Award

Kasey Diver-Tuck - Outstanding Contribution to Surf Lifesaving Award

Warren Rennie AM - Inaugural Legacy of Lifetime Excellence in Surf Lifesaving Award

Timothy and Kathryn Murdoch - Community Leadership Award

Thana Akkari - Community Fundraising Excellence Award

Harold Acar - Champion of Migrant and Refugee Services Award

Deborah O’Connor - Local Business Community Champion Award

Julianna Hanna - Contribution to the Arts Award

Father Bakhomios Erian - Church and Community Spirit Award

Michael Saweris - Church and Community Spirit Award

Sameh Eskander - Church and Community Spirit Award

Adam Weston - Outstanding Contribution to Church Life Award

Jamie-Lee O’Connor - Community Innovation Award

Ignazio Riccobono - Disability and Inclusion Award

Miriam Sipila - Neighbourhood Spirit Award

John Doherty - Outstanding Contribution to Local History Award

Alan Smyth - Mental Health Advocacy Award

Ronald Alexander - Emergency and Resilience Award

Megan Chimiak - School Community Service Award

Maria Hill - Services to Education Award

C-Care Cronulla (Paul Staddon, Freddy Spence and Ben Horvath) - Sustainability in Action Award

Colin Storey - Champion of the Environment Award

Alison Todd - Lifetime Commitment Award (Community Impact)

Mavis Stupple - Lifetime Commitment Award (Community Impact)

Pauline Hall - Lifetime Commitment Award (Community Impact)

Belinda Rayment - Lifetime Commitment Award (Music and the Arts)

Michael Baldock - Lifetime Commitment Award (Spiritual Leadership)

Very Reverend Father Tadros El-Bakhoumi OAM & JP - Lifetime Commitment Award (Spiritual Leadership) Peter Barrington - Lifetime Commitment Award (Sports)

George Cotis OAM - Lifetime Commitment Award (Environment)

Kellie Naylor - Spirit of Cook Award (Foundation Commitment)

Kaye Palmano - Spirit of Cook Award (Heart of the Community)

Rowan Leavold - Spirit of Cook Award (Continuous Impact)

Peter O'Brien - Spirit of Cook Award (Operational Excellence)

Ryan Williams - Spirit of Cook Award (Service Reliability)

David Moran - Spirit of Cook Award (Transformational Leadership)

Angus Cunningham - 2026 Cook Young Volunteer of the Year Award

Lisa Brown - 2026 Cook Volunteer of the Year Award