As always, this year brought an outstanding number of nominations, making the decision to narrow things down to just three finalists incredibly difficult. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination, and best of luck to all of our finalists!
Your nominations shaped this incredible shortlist, and now we're handing it back to YOU to decide who takes home the trophy.
Cast your vote for the finalists who inspire you most and help us crown the winners on 25th July.
YOur 2026 Judging Panel
Keith Donnelly
Founder of Keith’s Closet and 2024 Community Appreciation Award Winner
Aoife Butler
Mental health nurse and the 2023 Sydney Rose of Tralee
Mick Comerford
President of the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Committee and 2025 Community Appreciation Award Winner.
YOur 2026 Finalists
Sport &
WELLBEING
RYAN Guilfoyle
Founder Tribal Run Club
Ryan founded the Tribal Run Club during COVID, starting out with a small group in Centennial Park. Today, the club has grown into one of Sydney's biggest running communities, welcoming between 600 and 1,000 people every Wednesday night for 3km, 5km, or 8km runs through the park. Remarkably, Ryan does it all for free, driven purely by his love for the sport and the community it has created. He has built a genuinely safe and welcoming space where people feel they belong from the moment they show up, regardless of their fitness level or background. Known for his warm, down-to-earth nature and open-door policy, Ryan makes time for everyone — whether it's someone's very first run or a seasoned athlete chasing a personal best — treating each person with the same encouragement, respect, and genuine interest. He takes real pride in nurturing individuals, helping them build confidence, form lasting friendships, and thrive both on and off the track. For so many, Tribal Run Club has become more than just a weekly run; it's a place to belong, and that's a testament to the kind of person Ryan is.
Constance White
President Randwick Saints
Connie has been instrumental in bringing together a community-driven club that has become far more than just a place to play sport — it has become a home away from home for many within the Irish diaspora. Through her leadership, generosity and constant commitment, she has helped create an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment where players, families and supporters feel connected and valued.
Whether she is on the sidelines every weekend supporting her teams, organising club initiatives, helping community events, or simply being there as a source of support for those who need it, Connie consistently puts others first. Her willingness to give her time, energy and care to so many people is truly exceptional.
Her dedication extends well beyond her role as President, supporting countless community ventures and fostering meaningful connections wherever she goes. Her commitment to sport, wellbeing and community spirit has had a lasting impact.
Ruth Hastings
Mental Health Clinician-Homeless Health Service-St Vincent’s Hospital
Ruth is a mental health clinician and the heart of the team at St. Vincent’s. She's deeply respected across the Homeless Health Service and the inner-city homeless sector for her compassion, resilience, and commitment to social justice. For over a decade, she's worked tirelessly with people experiencing homelessness, building trust with even the most complex clients through warmth, patience, and genuine care. She advocates relentlessly for systemic change, partnering with NSW Police, City of Sydney, HOMES NSW, and hospital leadership to improve health pathways for those sleeping rough. Through every challenge, she leads with grace, humour, and hope — a clinician whose impact on individuals and the sector alike makes her truly deserving of recognition.
CUlture &
Heritage
COMHALTAS
The Sydney branch of Comhaltas is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Irish music and culture in Sydney, Australia.
The branch is affiliated with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which is the largest global group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. It is a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world.
Since launching its first Fleadh in 2021, Comhaltas Sydney has gone from strength to strength. In 2026, they held their biggest Fleadh yet, expanding the festival across multiple venues throughout Sydney and reaching a wider audience than ever before. Through music, they've brought the rich culture of Ireland to the broader community.
Sean McLoughlin
Scoil na Gaeilge Sydney
Sean has been a champion for the Irish language over the last number of years. He has been prolific in reaching out into the public domain, ensuring that the wider Irish & Australian communities are aware that Irish language lessons are available for all skill levels & also encouraging those who are complete beginners. Sean has also been very active with Comhaltas & the Gaelic Club, being a committee member of both organisations. Sean runs the Slow season at the Gaelic Club every Thursday night, again championing those who are learning songs or tunes to ensure they have the space to perform without being embarrassed or indeed ridiculed. Sean was a teacher in his work-life & now a tremendous addition to the volunteering space, since retirement. Sean is truly a gift to our Sydney Irish cultural scene & language.
Ciorcal Comhra Coogee
The Ciorcal Comhra Coogee, started in 2023 by Duibheasa Ní Raghallaigh, is an Irish language community based in Coogee. Every Saturday at 11am, the young Irish Community in Coogee and beyond gather together to speak their language. In January 2026, Evan Ó Dúnaigh started the Ciorcal Cleachtadh Coogee, which starts at 10am. With the help of Ruth Ní Chullaigh agus Tom Power, they have created a new safe space for beginner level speakers to come and practice their Gaeilge. This is not a lesson or a seomra ranga, it is an opportunity to no longer be scared to use whatever cúpla focal you have. In the last few months, the Ciorcals presence has gained a lot of traction, through Instagram and even an article in the Independent about our pobal. Both of these conversation circles embody what it means to be Irish in Australia, and perfectly fit the bill of the Cultural and Heritage award in our Irish communtiy in Sydney. From native speakers, to people with only cúpla focal, and even to Australians who have taken an interest, absolutely everyone is welcome in our Ciorcal.
RISING STAR
Chris Hickey
Digital Irish
As Head of Partnerships for Digital Irish, Chris is an absolute force when it comes to bridging the gap between tech innovators back in Ireland and the community here in Australia. He has a genuine passion for connecting people, and he brings this incredible, infectious energy to absolutely everything he does to help Irish entrepreneurs and innovators succeed.
Nowhere was this more obvious than at the Paddy’s Day Pitch Night. Chris didn't just spearhead the event; he poured his heart into making it a massive success. The room was electric, and it did exactly what Chris always sets out to do which is put brilliant Irish minds right in front of the people who can help them scale. He has this rare ability to turn a networking event into a thriving, supportive ecosystem, and his relentless dedication to lifting others up makes him the perfect fit for the Rising Star award.
RACHEL RUSHE
Founder Lost & Found in Sydney
For the past four years, Rachel has single-handedly run Lost and Found in Sydney — a grassroots initiative that has become a vital thread in the fabric of the Irish and wider diaspora community. Her passion and dedication are nothing short of extraordinary.
In her own time and with no financial gain, Rachel has tirelessly organised countless community-focused events. Each event is thoughtfully designed to bring people together, to create meaningful connections, and most importantly, to ensure that no one in the diaspora feels isolated or forgotten.
Caoimhe Dalton & Rachael Larkin
Founders Croí Club
Caoimhe Dalton and Rachael Larkin, the founders of Croí Club, have done something brilliant for the Irish female community in Sydney. Setting out to build genuine community, they have gone above and beyond through hosted events, collaborations with Irish businesses and brands, and unique experiences designed specifically for Irish women. Importantly, they haven't kept it exclusively Irish, welcoming people of other nationalities to mingle and form connections too. From the outset, they've been organised and inclusive, offering a wide range of activities so there's something for everyone, every week. A key part of their mission has been keeping events free, recognising that cost shouldn't be a barrier to connection — especially given the cost of living here. The impact has been significant: for people who were struggling, feeling isolated, or even considering moving home, Caoimhe and Rachael have given them friends, hope, and a completely different experience of life in Australia. They've already grown their events to 60-80 attendees, and with so much more planned, they're only just getting started.
COMMUNITY
CHAmpion
CLUB HIBERNIA
Founded by a collective of Irish professionals, Club Hibernia is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation that has become a key institution for the Irish diaspora in Sydney. The committee’s core role is to create inclusive, identity-affirming spaces that celebrate Irish heritage while encouraging industry connection and community solidarity. Their commitment is reflected in their longevity — over eight years of continuous, purposeful cultural engagement through structured, high-impact events.
Club Hibernia hosts quarterly social gatherings, each attended by more than 360 delegates from the construction, infrastructure, and property sectors. These events are unique: they seamlessly blend cultural celebration with professional networking. Whether through Irish storytelling, casual humour, traditional values of hospitality, or shared community rituals, every event is a living expression of Irish culture in a modern context.
Their contribution goes beyond atmosphere. Club Hibernia integrates Irish values into action by donating all event sponsorship proceeds to charitable causes, with over $140,000 raised and donated to date.
These actions reflect the Irish value of meitheal - the tradition of people coming together to help each other and give back to their communities. The committee’s intentional charity alignment demonstrates how Irish culture remains deeply committed to social justice, generosity, and kindness.
Paddy McTigue
Paddy is the kind of person who shows up - quietly, generously, and without fanfare. Whether it's rolling up his sleeves to help get a project off the ground, opening his own home to those in need, or simply being the person you can always call, he gives of himself in ways that go far beyond what's expected. He has a gift for spotting where help is needed most and stepping in, often before being asked - offering practical support, financial assistance, and a genuine sense of care to those going through difficult times.
Paddy also has a talent for bringing people together, organising community events that raise both funds and awareness for causes close to his heart. Despite running multiple businesses and taking on leadership roles within community organisations, he always makes time to support others — whether that's helping someone find work, sponsoring local events, or simply being a steady, reliable presence. His generosity is matched only by his humility; he doesn't do these things for recognition, but because it's simply who he is.
Paddy embodies the spirit of community — someone who gives without limits and asks for nothing in return.
Loretta Cosgrove
Sydney Queer Irish
For over a decade, Loretta has been the heart of Sydney Queer Irish — instrumental in reviving the organisation, and serving as its president in all but one year since. Under her leadership, SQI has grown into a vibrant community that welcomes everyone: allies, long-time Sydney-siders, and the Irish diaspora. She has worked tirelessly to ensure the queer Irish community is visible at major events like Mardi Gras and World Pride, while also bringing people together throughout the year through the many events she organises and collaborations with other Irish groups.
But what truly sets Loretta apart is her quiet, behind-the-scenes dedication — opening her own home for the group to meet and plan, and giving generously of her time to create a space where LGBTQIA+ Irish people feel safe, welcome, and connected. Bright, warm, and endlessly positive, she is the bedrock of SQI, and the reason this community remains strong, visible, and united.