Shellharbour City residents go “above and beyond’

Community members who have gone above and beyond to support their neighbours have been recognised by Shellharbour City Council at its 2022 Good Neighbour Awards. 

The Good Neighbour Awards were launched on Neighbour Day, an annual celebration that aims to increase positive and sustainable social connections between people and communities throughout Australia.

Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said that the awards highlighted the powerful impact a strong sense of community could have on families and individuals. 

“Each year council recognises and pays thanks to all the good neighbours in Shellharbour for their time, effort and willingness to assist others,” Mayor Homer said.

“Good neighbours help improve safety and the overall quality of life in our community and build the communities you want to live in, one relationship at a time.

“All of our entrants and winners deserve our thanks and appreciation for the difference they are making to their community,” he said. 

Award winners received prizes from sponsors - Kmart Shellharbour, Bunnings and The Shellharbour Club.  

2022 award winners 

Good Neighbour of the year – Petra Medcalf

Nomination: “Petra is a living treasure, our friend, neighbour and such a caring and loving person. We have been neighbours for about 28 years and have seen many changes in both our families' lives. Over this period and especially during the earlier COVID times, she has often been a life-saver for us. Nothing was too hard for her - food shopping, picking up prescriptions to bringing us home cooked meals and cakes as a treat for us. We are privileged to share many of her family events with us. As we get older it's wonderful to be treated and cared for in this manner. Our friendship as neighbours flourishes despite our age differences, so being younger is a help as she guides us through shopping on-line with tech-savvy knowledge. We love her company. Sometimes it’s just for a quick cup of coffee, other times wine, cheese and biscuits. She makes times even though she works, cares for her elderly father and has her own family. We can't sing her praises highly enough for all the things she does, collecting mail plus watering the garden when we are on holidays. Driving us to and from hospital on the odd occasion and even returning library books - nothing is too much trouble. But the most important of all she is there for us, so this is just a small way to acknowledge her as the best neighbour of all.”

Street of the year – Tuan Street, Blackbutt
The whole street looks out for one another and you don’t need to know everyone by name. It’s just what is done. I’ve lived here for over 25 years, some in the street longer, some are a lot less but you know that they are looking out for one another.

Drawing of the year – Liarna from Lake Illawarra, age 10.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008