Announcing Yarra’s 2026 Community Awards winners
Recognising and celebrating Yarra’s everyday heroes.
Each year, we acknowledge the everyday heroes who make Yarra such a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
This year’s winners are:
- Person of the Year: Christina Lai
- Young Person of the Year: Gabriel Bayston
- Community Initiative of the Year: Save Our Community Health
- Contribution to Arts and Culture: Celebrating 50 Years of 3CR
- Contribution to Sport and Recreation: Jake Stavrou
- Contribution to Sustainability: Margot Foster
- Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion: Jeanette George
Making Yarra a better place for everyone
From protecting essential local health services and creating opportunities for young people, to amplifying underrepresented voices and promoting sustainable food growing, this year's Community Awards winners are making a meaningful difference across Yarra.
Their contributions are helping people overcome barriers, access support and build stronger connections, making Yarra a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.
Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly congratulated this year's winners and recognised their dedication to the community.
“Some of this year's winners have devoted decades to helping others, while others have brought people together to respond to pressing community needs. What unites them is their commitment to making life better for those around them," he said.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise that dedication and celebrate the difference people and community organisations can make. On behalf of Council, I congratulate all our winners and nominees and thank them for their contributions to Yarra.”
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and joined us in celebrating Yarra's everyday heroes.