Nominations open for Viva’s community awards

GEELONG residents will nominate and vote for their local legends to share in a prize pool of more than $75,000 that honours the region’s most dedicated volunteers.

Viva Energy’s Community Legends awards have returned this year to applaud the city’s selfless helpers in organisations from sporting clubs through to cultural associations.

Viva will crown a community legend of the year, a rising star aged 16 to 26, a people’s choice award and 10 finalists, with the winners and their organisations to win a share of the prize money.

Geelong AFL premiership captain Cameron Ling is an ambassador for the awards program and said the city’s volunteers had a profound impact on his life.

“I’ve spent my life in Geelong and I’ve seen the incredible impact these volunteers can have on young lives,” he said.

“I particularly saw it in junior sport, where these selfless people were working to create a terrific, safe and supportive environment.

“It might be hard to recognise it when you are a kid, but as a parent, now I can see the positive impact it had on my upbringing.

“These people are unsung heroes and part of what makes Geelong such a great place to live – it is about time we recognise their efforts, not just in sport but in every arena where people work for the good of the greater community.”

Viva Geelong Refinery executive general manager Dale Cooper said the company was pleased to bring back the awards in an expanded format for 2022.

“After a couple of years’ break due to COVID, we decided to relaunch the program this year in an expanded format that captures the efforts of a broader range of the great volunteers who do so much for the local community and deserve more recognition,” Mr Cooper said.

“We believe it is important to have a platform to recognise the efforts of these selfless people who do so much for others and contribute to Geelong’s wonderful community.”

Nominations for the awards are now open and close on August 14 before people’s choice voting opens August 29.

Viva will announce the winners at an awards ceremony at GMHBA Stadium in October.

To submit entries or for more information, head to communitylegends.com.au