The Volunteering Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank Victorian volunteers for the incredible contributions they make to our state and local communities.
Showcasing excellence by individuals and organisations, the Awards are run by Volunteering Victoria with the support of the Victorian State Government.
The Awards combine the previously separate Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards, featuring the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award for Volunteer of the Year, and the annual Volunteering Victoria State Awards. This creates a single nomination process and a more significant awards ceremony celebrating volunteers and volunteerism across the state of Victoria.
Congratulations to our finalists!
Winners in each category will be announced at a special ceremony in November 2025.
Key dates
Nominations close
Friday 4 July 2025, 4pm
Finalists announced
October 2025
Judging & Selection
July – October 2025
Awards ceremony
Thursday 27 November 2025
Individual Awards
Volunteer of the Year - Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award
The prestigious Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award recognises extraordinary volunteering service, commitment and impact for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria.
This Award was not open for nominations. The recipient of this award will be selected from outstanding candidates in the individual volunteer categories below.
Volunteer Leadership Award
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Recognises people who have shown exceptional volunteer leadership and influence in support of people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees are inspiring people who have built effective volunteer networks and partnerships, empowered others, or engaged and strengthened community.
This award was open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Brendan Daynes
- Fred Alale AM
- Greg Sher
- Michelle Maxa
- Mohamed Al Abri
- Sahar Ghaly
- Sue Viney
Volunteer Impact Award
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Celebrates people whose volunteering has made a remarkable difference for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees are volunteer innovators and pioneers or dedicated hard workers whose contributions have helped to improve outcomes or supported important changes.
This award was open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Andrew Copolov
- Keely Hamilton
- Norm Duell
- Shashank Jain
- Veronica Hill
Volunteer Commitment Award
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Pays tribute to dedicated and passionate individuals with a sustained and substantial record of commitment to people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees are long-serving volunteers and reliable hard workers whose significant contribution and enthusiasm for volunteering is an inspiration to others.
This award was open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Bill Lawler
- Glenys Watts
- Leanne Peterson
- Linda Widdup
- Rob Humphrys
- Roseanne Pirrottina
- Satbir Singh
- Thanh-Kham Tran-Dang OAM
Young Volunteer Award
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Celebrates the enthusiasm, initiative and leadership of young people in volunteering. Nominees are inspiring young people who have made a remarkable impact and contribution through volunteering for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria.
This award was open to individuals 25 years and under, across all locations and work types.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Christine Tolotchkov
- Clancy Quirk
- Hoang Cam Vi Vo
- Rumaysa Salman
- Sebastiano Patti
- Thomas Volpe
Organisation Awards
Organisation of the Year – Volunteering Excellence Award
The Volunteering Excellence Award recognises an exceptional volunteer-involving organisation that demonstrated overall excellence in making a significant difference for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria.
This award was not open for nominations. The recipient of this award will be selected from outstanding candidates in the organisation categories below.
Inclusive Volunteering Award
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Celebrates diversity and inclusion in volunteering programs to enhance support for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees have demonstrated inclusive and accessible volunteering practices that increased volunteer diversity or improved participation for a greater range of community members.
This award was open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- BreastScreen Victoria
- Humane Animal Rescue
- Rehmat Sandhu Foundation
- STEM Sisters
- Women’s Federation for World Peace
Volunteering Partnerships Award
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Pays tribute to the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieve greater outcomes for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees have made a significant difference through establishing or maintaining effective and enduring partnerships with other organisations, business, or local community.
This award was open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Buloke and Northern Gramphians Landcare Network
- Candlebark Community Nursery
- Gig Worker’s Hub
- The Water Well Project
Volunteering Innovation Award
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Recognises the role of innovation and adaptation to continually improve the volunteer experience or enhance supports for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees have delivered positive outcomes through a unique volunteering program, or new practices or operating models to improve the work of their organisation.
This award was open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- First Step (ResetLife)
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria (Memory Lane)
- Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health
- Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)
- What Were You Wearing? Australia
- Wyndham Bright Young Leaders
Grassroots Volunteering Award
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Celebrates the commitment, impact, and importance of grassroots organisations in supporting local communities, people, groups, or causes in Victoria. Nominees are small community-led organisations that have provided important local services, led positive change, or supported social and community life.
This award was open to organisations that are entirely volunteer-led and operated, with a turnover of less than $50,000 a year.
Congratulations to our FINALISTS:
- Good Grub Club Daylesford
- Lions Club of Yarrawonga (Turban Angels)
- She Won’t Be Right Mate
- The Sisterhood Project
- Unity Libyan Youth Association
