A Northern Rivers TAFE teacher has beaten the best of the state’s public service to be crowned NSW Public Servant of the Year.
Renee Emery, Head Teacher of Floristry, Retail and Logistics at TAFE NSW Wollongbar, took out the top individual honour at the 2026 NSW Premier’s Awards on Tuesday, 27 October.
Emery was recognised for her strong commitment to teaching in some of the toughest training settings in NSW.
The judges praised her leadership in setting up programs where there had been none before, and in keeping them running at a high standard.
She has also represented Australia on the world stage through WorldSkills International, supporting students and helping shape national and international standards for vocational training.
“It’s a real privilege to celebrate the exceptional work our public servants do across NSW through the NSW Premier’s Awards,” said Premier Chris Minns.
“Our public service plays a huge role in making our state a great place to live, work, learn and visit from police officers keeping people safe to health workers looking after the sick and injured.”
The awards honour public servants whose work is making a real difference, from improving access to education for vulnerable groups and delivering high-quality healthcare, to making government services simpler and easier to use.
Eight categories were awarded this year.
The other recipients were:
- Anthea Kerr Award: Mitchell Farrell, Western Sydney Local Health District
- Delivering innovative economic opportunities for the community: Delivering homes faster and more efficiently, Homes NSW
- Driving public sector workforce excellence and integrity: Essential Worker Attraction Program, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Providing world-class healthcare: Virtual Psychiatry Hub, NSW Ministry of Health
- Delivering world-class education and training: Beyond postcodes: expanding access to a world-class curriculum, Aurora College, Department of Education
- Excellence in service delivery: Removing correctional facility details from children’s birth certificates, Department of Communities and Justice in partnership with NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Department of Customer Service
- Creating safe and thriving communities: DV Notify, Department of Customer Service, Department of Communities and Justice, and NSW Police
“It’s the passion, commitment and hard work of people like this year’s recipients and finalists that help us deliver better services that put people first,” the Premier said.
“On behalf of the NSW Government, congratulations to all our 2026 recipients and finalists on their achievements.”
“The NSW Premier’s Awards bring attention to some of the best work of our state’s public servants – on the front line, behind the scenes, right across the state,” said Premier’s Department Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter.
“People do this work to help their community.”
“They don’t do it for plaudits, but it’s great when fine examples of public service are recognised and valued through these awards.”
“To this year’s recipients and finalists: thank you and congratulations.”
More information on the recipients and finalists is at https://www.nsw.gov.au/2026-premiers-awards.
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