City’s highest honour awarded for civic leadership

City of Newcastle has named civic leader Carol Duncan OAM as the 21st Freeman of the City for a community-focused career with international impact. 

The city’s newest Freeman was celebrated as a trusted and influential voice in Newcastle whose more than 30-year contribution spanned broadcast journalism, local government and community advocacy.

Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge congratulates Carol Duncan OAM on being named the Freeman of the CityLord Mayor Ross Kerridge said Ms Duncan’s contribution to Newcastle has been profound and enduring. 

“Carol is a trailblazer, her ability to unite people through storytelling, public service, or cultural preservation has made Newcastle a stronger, more connected city,” Cr Kerridge said. 

“In 2012 she established the hugely popular local history group Lost Newcastle, which has helped reunite families, support academic research and grow the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund, ensuring Newcastle’s stories endure for generations.

“The Lost Newcastle project has become an extraordinary resource for gathering important stories and details from our history that would otherwise be lost. It is a community-based people’s history project that has become much loved.”

The former ABC journalist and Newcastle councillor has used these avenues to advocate for local arts and culture, help the community through challenge and sustain local history, through local storytelling. 

Ms Duncan’s passion for health and science communication and her award-winning reporting on disasters and public health helped shape policy and support vulnerable communities. 

This included sharing the stories of people with lived experience of Human Papillomavirus, with her groundbreaking broadcast work supporting the extension of the HPV vaccination for boys in Australia and the UK in 2013. 

Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull presents Carol Duncan OAM with the Freeman of the City honour at an awards ceremony last nightDeputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull presented Ms Duncan with the honour at City Hall last night before an audience that included city officials, cultural leaders and fellow Freemen.

Cr Pull said Ms Duncan’s passion and advocacy for music, arts and the night-time economy were key achievements on her time on Council.

“Carol was a stalwart community advocate throughout the seven years she served as a Newcastle councillor, championing arts, culture, and civic life and chairing key committees including city of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee and Public Art Standing Committee,” Cr Pull said.

“Her leadership helped shape Newcastle’s cultural infrastructure and supported countless community-driven initiatives and I am honoured to officiate today’s Freeman of the City ceremony for such a deserving recipient.”

Ms Duncan said the honour reflects the strength of Newcastle’s people. 

“I feel very honoured and deeply appreciative to be appointed a Freeman of the City of Newcastle. At its heart, my long career in radio and in local government showed me the immense value of working for and with our community,” Ms Duncan said. 

"Whether it's preserving and sharing our rich history and memories through Lost Newcastle, building bridges between communities and supporting them through challenges, or championing the next generation of musicians and creatives, this recognition reminds us that Newcastle's greatest strength has always been its people and their stories.

"To be able to contribute positively to people's lives is a gift, but there's a long list of people who have supported and encouraged me for more than 30 years, and their generosity makes everything possible. And I'm not done yet!"

The Freeman of the City acknowledgement is Ms Duncan’s second major honour this year, after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for her service to the community.

Ms Duncan joins a list of 20 other Novocastrians to be named the Freeman of the City including former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings, philanthropist and historian Vera Deacon and Surfest co-founder Warren Smith.