Nominations open for Geelong Volunteering Awards

THE first Geelong Volunteering Awards have been opened, and Volunteering Geelong and the Kardinia Rotary Club are seeking nominations.

Kardinia Rotary Club have run their own volunteering awards for several years, and both organisations believe the strength of their experience and reach can forge a new way to acknowledge and promote the work of volunteers across the region.

“This is a perfect opportunity to showcase what volunteers do for our community,” Volunteering Geelong president Anthony Aitken said.

“The award categories highlight the variety of sectors in which volunteers help to make a real difference to the Geelong region.”

There are eight categories for individuals to be nominated, including two awards to showcase the work of volunteer managers and co-ordinators.

The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award is expected to draw a strong field of nominations as many of the larger community and not for profit organisations use these staff to oversee and support volunteers.

Kardinia Rotary Club awards committee chair Charles Baulch said it made sense for his club to collaborate with the peak body for volunteering in the local community.

“We saw it as a natural progression for our Awards to expand and to include the great work that Volunteering Geelong is doing in supporting volunteering in the G21 region.”

The six category awards for individual volunteers also have $1,000 prize money – $250 for the individual and $750 for the winner to provide to his or her chosen charity or not for profit organisation.

Mr Aitken said it was important for the awards to continue to have a community element and provide something back.

“Most volunteers don’t like recognition; they just want to volunteer and help wherever they can.

“By them being able to nominate a charity or not for profit to provide support, it’s a great way we feel for them to show their community spirit, while we as a region can recognise their individual input.”

The awards are supported by Geelong Connected Communities, Access Your Supports and Standby Security and will be presented at a gala cocktail function at the Geelong Football Club Presidents’ Room on December 5, coinciding with International Volunteer Day.

Nominations close on November 20. Head to volunteeringgeelong.org.au.