The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) were beginning their national season at Wollongong Town Hall, with lead violinist and artistic director Richard Tognetti receiving the honour.

"It's for his contribution to the arts, more specifically music," Cr Bradbery told the Mercury.

"I don't think Australia quite recognises how respected and esteemed Richard is internationally."

The last two high-achievers to receive the keys to the city were popstar Cyrus Villanueva in 2016 and retiring Hawks basketballer Matt Campbell in 2012.

In 2020, Tognetti - a former Wollongong local and keen surfer - celebrated 30 years with the ACO with many accolades under his belt.

According to the ACO website, Tognetti was the co-composer of the score for the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe; he co-composed the soundtrack to Tom Carroll's surf film Storm Surfers; and created The Red Tree, inspired by Shaun Tan's book.

In 2010 he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia, he holds honorary doctorates from three Australian universities, he was made a National Living Treasure in 1999, and was awarded the JC Williamson Award for longstanding service to the live performing industry by the Helpmann Awards in 2017.

"Richard began his studies in his home town of Wollongong with William Primrose, then with Alice Waten at the Sydney Conservatorium, and Igor Ozim at the Bern Conservatory, where he was awarded the Tschumi Prize as the top graduate soloist in 1989," according to the ACO website.

"Later that year he led several performances of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and that November was appointed as the orchestra's lead violin and, subsequently, artistic director."