Constable Kenny Koala has received a 2026 Canberra Gold Award.
10 March 2026
In brief:
- Constable Kenny Koala has received a Canberra Gold Award.
- He was one of 106 individuals and 31 organisations to receive the award in 2026.
- The Canberra Gold Awards recognise people and groups that have helped make our city a great place to live, work and enjoy for more than 50 years.
Much-loved local icon, Constable Kenny Koala, has been recognised for his contribution to the Canberra community.
Constable Kenny Koala is among the 106 individuals and 31 organisations to receive a Canberra Gold Award.
The Canberra Gold Awards recognise people and organisations that have helped make our city a great place to live, work and enjoy for more than 50 years.
Constable Kenny’s history in Canberra began with an appearance on Capital tv show, Junior Police 7, in September 1975.
Since then, he has gone on to share safety messages with ACT Policing to more than 20,000 children in Canberra schools each year.
He continues to teach important messages to children in our community, including:
- road safety
- online safety
- decision making and consequences
- protective behaviours.
“After being a part of the Canberra community for 50 years, I have come to truly appreciate the warmth, generosity, and friendliness of everyone you meet," Constable Kenny said.
"The people, in particular the young people I visit in schools every day, are the heart, soul and energy behind the community which inspires me every day and makes me feel very lucky to call Canberra home.”
Since 2005, almost 5,000 individuals and more than 200 groups have received Canberra Gold Awards.
The awards are held each year as part of Canberra's birthday celebrations.
The 31 groups recognised with a Canberra Gold Award in 2026 include:
- eight public schools
- the Canberra Potters Society
- a diverse range of sports and social clubs
- the Voluntary Guides of the Australian War Memorial.
For a full list of Canberra Gold Awards recipients in 2026 visit the ACT Government's Honours and Awards page.
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