Nominations open for Victorian Volunteering Awards

NOMINATIONS are officially open for the 2026 Victorian Volunteering Awards across eight categories, with one winner to receive the honour of Volunteer of the Year.

The ultimate recipient will also be granted the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award and a $10,000 donation to a not-for-profit of their choice.

Last year saw a total of 447 nominations, with Gunaikurnai Elder Aunty Glenys Watts – a tireless advocate for Indigenous health, family violence prevention and culturally safe services – named Volunteer of the Year.

For over 30 years Aunty Glenys has been pivotal in shaping resilient communities, including through her work establishing the Wirram Warrain Gathering Place in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula and culturally-safe support, treatment and outreach service Ngwala Willumbong in St Kilda.

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence said Victoria’s volunteers are the quiet achievers behind so much of what makes our communities strong, and the awards are “our chance to shine a light on them”.

“Whether it’s their time, skills or lived experience, every volunteer brings something unique,” she said.

Volunteering Victoria chief executive Geoff Sharp said volunteers and the organisations they support rarely seek recognition, which is why all nominations matter.

“By nominating for the Victorian Volunteering Awards, you help celebrate their contributions and inspire others to follow,” he said.

Nominations for the eight awards – Young Volunteer, Volunteer Commitment, Volunteer Leadership, Volunteer Impact, Inclusive Volunteering, Volunteering Innovation, Volunteering Partnerships and Grassroots Volunteering – close on Wednesday 27 May.

For more information or to nominate, visit the Volunteering Victoria website at volunteeringvictoria.org.au/awards.