2025 Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards
Honouring exceptional volunteer management in the Canberra Region

L-R: Beth Garwood, Winner, 2023 Volunteer Manager of the Year (Excellence in Best Practice); Kathleen Rampant, winner, 2024 Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards (Excellence in Best Practice); Greta Mauwa, winner, 2024 Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards (Excellence in Inclusion) and Jean Giese, CEO VolunteeringACT
The Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards is an annual celebration for volunteer managers in the ACT and surrounding areas. This event elevates the profile of volunteer management as a profession.
The award is presented to an individual whose leadership and inclusive practices have shaped and strengthened volunteer programs in their organisation and/or community. All nominees are gifted a complimentary ticket to the Volunteer Leaders Seminar.
The awards are held in recognition of International Volunteer Managers Day, celebrated on 5 November annually.
Key dates
- Nominations opened – Monday, 25 August 2025
- Nominations have now closed – Monday, 6 October 2025
- Award ceremony – Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Award categories
Three prestigious categories recognising diverse forms of volunteer management
Volunteer Manager of the Year – Excellence in Best Practice
This award recognises a volunteer manager who demonstrates exceptional skills in implementing the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. The nominee excels in volunteer recruitment, training, support, and recognition, creating programs that maximise both volunteer satisfaction and community impact through strategic planning and innovative approaches.
Volunteer Manager of the Year – Excellence in Inclusion
This award recognises a volunteer manager who has made outstanding efforts to create safe, accessible, and inclusive volunteering opportunities in their programs/organisation. The nominee demonstrates commitment to removing barriers, advancing diversity, and ensuring that volunteers from all ages, abilities, genders, and sexualities and from all cultures can meaningfully participate and contribute to the organisation’s goals.
Volunteer Management Team of the Year
This award recognises a collaborative team that delivers exceptional volunteer programs. The nominated team demonstrates strong coordination, shared vision, and collective impact in supporting volunteers, with evidence of effective teamwork, communication, and innovative approaches that enhance the overall volunteer satisfaction and organisational outcomes.

Winners and highly commended recipients for 2024 Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards
Award ceremony details
Join us for a night of spirit, kindness, innovation, inclusion and resilience.
Day and date
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
(During Volunteer Leaders Seminar)
Venue
Denman Village Community Centre
Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Volunteer Manager of the Year Awards! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
02 6251 4060 | events@volunteeringact.org.au