Nominations sought for community changemakers

NOMINATIONS have opened for Volunteering Geelong’s 10th annual Volunteer of the Year Awards, recognising volunteers across the region.

The awards span five categories and celebrate the people whose efforts help local organisations thrive and strengthen community wellbeing.

Volunteering Geelong board chair Christine Heath said the awards provided an opportunity to shine a light on the often-unseen work of volunteers.

“These annual awards enable us to do that, to highlight the contribution and achievements of some of our very dedicated volunteers,” she said.

Presented in partnership with the Kardinia Rotary Club, the awards include categories for Youth Volunteer (25 and under), Volunteer Service, Volunteer Inclusion, Volunteer Leadership and Volunteer of the Year.

Club president Rosanne Kava said the long-running partnership reflected the club’s commitment to community service.

“As a Rotary club, we understand how much volunteering contributes to our community,” she said.

“Our 10-year partnership with Volunteering Geelong has enabled us as an organisation to play a part in highlighting the contribution of just some of the tireless volunteers who enable so many organisations to provide important services to members of our community.”

This year’s awards were launched last week at Volunteering Geelong’s inaugural Volunteer Expo, which highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

“The expo gave us a great opportunity to talk to a lot of volunteer organisations about where they currently sit with volunteers,” Heath said.

“Finding volunteers is hard, so it is important we respect and recognise the ones we have as they do an important job in contributing to the wellbeing of our community.”

Award recipients will be announced on 29 July.

Each award includes a $1,000 prize, with $750 directed to the recipient’s organisation, and $250 awarded to the individual.

Nominations close 17 June.

For more information, visit volunteeringgeelong.org.au