Its programs focus on building skills and capacity for migrant and refugee women, improving social, economic and emotional wellbeing through education, family violence prevention, and housing and employment support. The diversity of Wellsprings’ participants provides a richness of experience, but also the need for highly tailored grassroots solutions, grounded in culturally responsive lived experience. Wellsprings prides itself on its co-design processes with migrant and refugee women.

Recognising the influence of peer support in disability communities, ACD established its Community Champions volunteer program in 2021. Volunteers are parents of children with a range of disabilities across Victoria. Volunteers share ACD’s free information and resources with families of children with disability in their communities, share their personal experiences, and assist with ACD’s advocacy work.

Woor-Dungin was established to support Victorian Aboriginal organisations in obtaining resources to advance important community projects. Its unique model involves consulting with Aboriginal partners about their needs and facilitating enduring partnerships between philanthropic bodies, pro-bono corporations and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. Woor-Dungin’s major achievements in driving social and legislative change have been enabled by its skilled and committed volunteer workforce, who contribute over 2,000 hours per year.

Tailored according to member preferences and through partnership with external providers, ParKanDo delivers diverse initiatives, offering emotional and social support, education, and shared information to individuals with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers. Established just three years ago, the committee’s commitment and dedication has seen the organisation become one of the largest of its type within Victoria.

Through Benjy’s dedication, the charity has grown significantly and now donates socks to people affected by varying forms of abuse, poverty, and natural disasters worldwide. Benjy has donated over 44,000 pairs of socks in the past 6 years, using this platform to encourage other young adults to stand up and make a difference.

She has made significant contributions across diverse areas and organisations such as Lifeline, St John Ambulance, and Radio for the Print Handicapped. For the past 24 years, she has volunteered with Melbourne City Mission in the Palliative Care area, supporting carers with home and hospital visits. As part of the Bereavement team, Jean finds profound meaning and purpose in being trusted with compelling end of life stories.

As President of Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby, she pioneered the first Australian Roller Derby ‘Pride Cup’ and the Gippsland Pride Gala, now a premier queer event in the Victorian calendar. Since its incorporation in 2019, GPI has produced valuable LGBTQIA+ insights through the ‘Rainbow Brick Road’ Project and Report, hosted multiple sell-out Pride Galas, and orchestrated 150+ community activations across 6 regions.

He has been a steadfast volunteer every Saturday morning for 53 years, holding roles such as Secretary, starter, line marker, and representative at regional and state conferences. His humble and kind demeanour, coupled with unwavering dedication, has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and success of Kyneton Little Athletics, where he continues to make a lasting impact at the age of 83.