The Hunter Water Hunter Hero Award has drawn to a close this year with the announcement of mother and son Vicky and Brock Mendyk as the winners of 2019.
The Newcastle Herald will be looking for new heroes in 2020 so we can share the extraordinary acts of compassion, courage and charity people are performing in the community.
Each week, from January 13, the Herald will profile one nominee for the 2020 Hunter Water Hunter Hero Award. At the end of the year readers will be asked to vote for a dozen finalists.
The winner will then be chosen by a panel of leaders in the Hunter community.
To help you think about who could be deserving of a nomination, here are some past winners of the Hunter Water Hunter Hero Award since its inception in 2013.
Submit your nomination by using our online form at the bottom of the story. Please include a phone number we can use to contact you.
2018: Leanne White
Woodberry Neighbourhood Centre community worker Leanne White has developed a number of innovative programs in, what she calls, a "forgotten suburb".
Ms White founded a community breakfast at the Woodberry centre, which was later built upon with the Boredom Busters holiday activities program for children.
The programs are said to have had a "phenomenal impact" on the community, with almost 100 children taking part each school holiday.
2017: Tony Kable
The Lake Macquarie man and founder of All Ability Sports Coaching was recognised for his work in helping people living with a disability achieve success through sport.
With a focus on rugby league and cricket, All Ability Sports Coaching has helped countless men and women in the Hunter hone their sporting skills, while nurturing confidence and self-esteem at the same time.
2014: Denis Young
TENAMBIT'S Denis Young was awarded for his 24 years of volunteer work with children's cancer charity Camp Quality.
Mr Young said he was "blown away" when he was visiting a friend's son, who suffered cancer, and the young boy's Camp Quality companion arrived. Dennis decided to take on a similar role.
2013: Dave Robertson
The inaugural winner was the Newcastle event director and advocate for the global running phenomenon parkrun. Mr Robertson was a driving force in establishing the popular parkrun events in Newcastle, Maitland, Speers Point, Fingal Bay and at Blackbutt Reserve.
