PAWA Gala Night 2026
Description
PAWA Gala 2026
Holding The Thin Green Line
An evening of good food, great company, and celebration.
But this night is not about us.
Across the islands, forests, reefs, and deserts of Oceania, Protected Area Workers stand on the front line of conservation. Most work without recognition. Many are underfunded, under equipped, and overstretched. Some patrol vast, isolated landscapes with minimal support.
Yet every day, they hold The Thin Green Line.
A protected area is just a line on a map unless someone is there to defend it.
This gala is about standing with those who defend our planet. Your ticket helps provide essential safety equipment, communications, training, and field support to the people protecting our most precious ecosystems.
The evening will also feature a silent auction, offering a chance to bid on exclusive items while supporting this important work. Be sure to bring your wallet, cash or card, to join in the excitement and make an impact.
Join us.
Celebrate with purpose.
Support those who protect nature for us all.
Lineup
Peter Garrett - Keynote Speaker
Peter Garrett is a musician, environmentalist, and former Australian cabinet minister whose career has spanned music, politics, and frontline advocacy. As lead singer of Midnight Oil, one of Australia’s most iconic bands, he helped shape a 13-album legacy known for its fierce independence and commitment to environmental protection and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The band received the ARIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and returned to the top of the charts with their final releases The Makarrata Project and Resist. In 2024 he released his second solo album, The True North, which debuted at number one on the ARIA Australian Artist chart. Peter served as the youngest-ever President of the Australian Conservation Foundation from 1989 to 1996 before entering Federal Parliament in 2004. From 2007 to 2013, he was a senior minister in the Rudd and Gillard Governments, serving as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and later as Minister for School Education. As Environment Minister, he expanded Australia’s national reserve system, strengthened marine protection, advanced Indigenous Protected Areas, and led the international legal challenge against Japanese whaling in the Antarctic. As Education Minister, he delivered landmark needs-based school funding reforms and helped establish Australia’s first national curriculum. A Member of the Order of Australia and recipient of WWF’s Leaders for a Living Planet award, Peter remains a passionate advocate for climate action, environmental protection, and Indigenous recognition. As keynote speaker at the PAWA Gala 2026, Peter will share insights from his decades of advocacy and leadership, celebrating the people who hold The Thin Green Line for our planet every day.
Lachie Gill - Entertainment
Lachie Gill is an Australian singer-songwriter and the 2022 winner of The Voice Australia, known for his arresting, emotionally charged vocals and magnetic stage presence. He quickly became a household name after taking out the show’s 11th season. Originally from coastal Victoria, Lachie began his musical journey at 13 when he was gifted a ukulele by his grandfather. Influenced by artists such as Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, and Dermot Kennedy, he developed a pop-influenced acoustic sound grounded in honesty and heart. Following his win, Lachie released his acclaimed debut single Wasted Time, and subsequently 2 full EPs under Island Records, as he continues building a lasting career beyond television. As the featured entertainment for the PAWA Gala 2026, Lachie will bring his signature energy, soulful vocals, and heartfelt performances to the stage for an unforgettable evening.
Kevin Barron - Master of Ceremonies - Vox FM
Kevin Barron is a respected broadcaster and Presenter on 106.9Vox FM The Voice of the Illawarra, where he has built a strong reputation for engaging interviews, sharp insight, and genuine connection with the community. With years of experience behind the microphone, Kevin brings warmth, professionalism, and quick wit to every event he hosts. Known for his ability to read a room and create an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and energised, he is a natural master of ceremonies. As MC for the PAWA Gala 2026, Kevin will guide the evening with his trademark charm and steady presence, helping to ensure a memorable night of celebration and purpose.
Leah Pippos - PAWA Chairperson
Leah Pippos is a passionate conservation leader and advocate for Protected Area Workers across NSW, the ACT, Oceania the globally. Through her work with the Protected Area Workers Association (PAWA), she supports the frontline rangers and conservation teams who protect some of the region’s most remote and ecologically significant landscapes. Leah has worked in remote locations helping to protected beautiful places and cultures including South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Canada. Leah brings deep insight into the realities faced by those holding The Thin Green Line, from limited resources to the growing pressures on biodiversity. A compelling and authentic voice for nature and the people who defend it, she is committed to strengthening support, recognition, and practical assistance for Protected Area Workers. At the PAWA Gala 2026, Leah will share stories from the field and highlight why investing in those who protect our planet has never been more urgent.
Gala Platinum Sponsor
NSW National Parks and Wildlife
FAQs
- Will dietary requirements be catered for?
Yes. We will be catering for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free.
Finespun Catering will try their best to accommodate your needs.
Please email events.pawa@gmail.com to outline your specific requirements no later than 5pm July 13th 2026, so that arrangements can be made for you.
- Will PAWA merch be for sale at the night?
PAWA merchandise is available exclusively for pre-order with your ticket - an great perk for gala attendees.
If you pre-order it will be available for collection on the night at the welcome desk
- Is on-site parking available?
Yes. Once the hard surface carpark is full, the grassy overflow parking area will be opened up for the event.
- What is the best way to get there via public transport?
Uber
Illawarra Taxis, ph: 4254 2111
Train to Dapto then 9 min car ride to venue
Train to Albion Park then 7 min car ride to venue
- Where can I stay overnight?
Accommodation suggestions:
High-end
· Novotel North Beach, 2/14 Cliff Rd, North Wollongong
· The Sebel, Kiama, 2 Minnamurra Street, 2533
· Crowne Plaza suites, Shellharbour Marina, Shell Cove, 2529
Mid-range
· The Palms hotel, Flinders St, Wollongong (book directly for 5% off)
· The Oaks Hotel, Princes Highway, Albion Park
https://www.theoakshotel.com.au/
Budget/camping
· Killalea campground- NPWS-36 Killalea Drive, Shell Cove, 2529
Caravan site, Camper trailer site, Tent, Camping beside my vehicle
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/killalea-campground
· Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, 201 Pioneer Rd, Towradgi, 2518
· Shellharbour Caravan Park, 1 John Street, Shellharbour, 2529
https://www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/shellharbour-beachside
· Coledale Beach camping (book early), Lawrence Hargrave Drv, Coledale
https://www.coledalebeach.com.au/camping/
AirBNB
· Lots of options to choose from for everyone’s budget
(search, Yallah, Killalea, Flinders, Shellharbour, Haywards Bay)
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
