2026 VOLUNTEERING AWARDS, CANBERRA REGION

Honouring excepting volunteering in the region

Winners, 2025 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region are an annual celebration for volunteers in the ACT and surrounds, established in 1991. This premier event makes stories of spirit, kindness, innovation, inclusion, and resilience visible to our whole community.

The awards are held in recognition of International Volunteer Day, celebrated annually on 5 December.

Key dates:

  • Nominations open – Tuesday 1 September 2026
  • Nominations close – Monday 12 October 2026, 5pm
  • Voting open for Canberra’s Choice Award – Monday 19 October 2026
  • Voting close for Canberra’s Choice Award – Monday 9 November 2026
  • Awards ceremony – Thursday 3 December 2026, 6.30pm

AWARD CATEGORIES

Nine prestigious categories recognising diverse forms of volunteer excellence

The Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region has nine award categories. Nominations are accepted for seven categories only. All nominations received are automatically eligible for Canberra’s Choice Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

This award recognises an individual or volunteer team who has made an exceptional contribution to support individuals and communities during personal or community crises, such as the cost of living crisis or natural disasters. The nominee demonstrates resilience, problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to the cause.

For example, a volunteer who has provided food relief during emergencies, such as fires or floods; volunteers or teams who have offered online or phone support to people facing crises like family or domestic violence or mental health challenges; or volunteers who have assisted in organising, coordinating, or managing essential resources, such as distributing hygiene parcels, arranging emergency housing, or collecting donated food.

This award applies to volunteers in any sector, including food, housing, emergency and crisis, wellbeing, and mental health support.

This award recognises an individual (aged between 12 and 25) or volunteer team who has shown outstanding dedication at a young age to volunteering within the Canberra Region. The nominee demonstrates a strong spirit of service, inspiring others through their enthusiasm and passion for social change.

For nominees under 18 years, we require parental consent to accept the nomination. For team nominations, at least half of the team members should be in this age bracket to be eligible for this award.

This award recognises an individual (aged 55+) or team whose volunteering contributions have made a notable impact in the Canberra community.

For example, a senior volunteer or team has demonstrated sustained contribution and commitment through their long volunteering service record or by dedicating a large amount of their time volunteering within or across multiple organisations.

For team nominations, at least half of the team members should be age 55+ to be eligible for this award.

This award recognises an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individual or team who has made a notable volunteering impact in the Canberra Region through exceptional leadership, cultural knowledge, and dedicated service. The nominee demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering growth in community, preserving cultural heritage, and driving meaningful change through their volunteer efforts.

When nominating a team for this award category, at least half of the team members must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander volunteers to be eligible for this award.

A separate panel including majority First Nations Peoples chooses the winner and highly commended for this category.

This award recognises an individual or volunteer team who has worked to reduce or remove barriers to participation in the Canberra community. The nominee has actively championed diversity and inclusion and created supportive, accessible, and equal practices and opportunities for volunteers of every age, gender, sexuality, ability, and culture as well as recognising people with differing experiences and identities.

Recognising diversity is only the first step towards an inclusive Canberra. Inclusion involves respecting, listening to, and including the diverse range of peoples and experiences that exist throughout Canberra and the region, and this award is for someone who epitomises an inclusive approach.

This award recognises a volunteer or a volunteer team who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the volunteering sector without necessarily holding a senior title. The nominee has demonstrated their leadership skills and commitment to strengthening volunteering through collaboration, advocacy and action. This is an award for someone who guides, inspires, and supports others through their leadership.

If you wish to nominate a volunteer coordinator or manager (paid or unpaid), please nominate them for the 2026 Volunteer Manager of the Year Award – nominations close 5pm, Tuesday 6 October 2026.

This award recognises a volunteer team, program, or organisation that has worked collaboratively and demonstrated commitment to inclusion, innovation, and service, making a notable impact in the Canberra Region.

For example, a volunteering team that has overcome barriers in its work and has delivered outstanding outcomes in the community through supporting events, providing services, or driving community initiatives.

This award recognises a nominee who has won the hearts of the Canberra community. The winner of this category is chosen through public voting, highlighting the power of community recognition and appreciation of volunteer efforts.

All nominees from the above seven award categories are automatically eligible for the Canberra’s Choice Award. There are no specific eligibility criteria for this award category.

This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional contribution, commitment and compassion through their voluntary service. It recognises outstanding contributions to volunteering in the Canberra Region, showcasing kindness, innovation, inclusion, and resilience that benefit our entire community.

All nominees from the seven award categories are automatically eligible for the Volunteer of the Year award and are selected by the judging panel.

HOW TO NOMINATE

Simple steps to recognise outstanding volunteers in the Canberra Region

Nomination process

  1. Seek nominee consent: The nomination will not be accepted without nominee’s consent.
  2. Complete the online nomination form: Fill out the comprehensive nomination form with detailed information about volunteer’s contribution and impact. The response to selection criteria can be submitted in writing or in audio/video format. Read the nomination guide for guidelines.
  3. Submit by deadline: Nominations close Monday, 12 October 2026, 5pm

Eligibility criteria

Nominations are accepted for an individual volunteer, a volunteer duo or larger team, or a volunteer organisation that has made a notable contribution to the Canberra Region. This can include areas such as community work, sport, education, science, culture, arts, or environment.

Nominees must be –

  • working as a volunteer, or a volunteer team, not paid employees
  • actively volunteering in the Canberra Region in the last 12 months – this can be across multiple organisations

……………

 

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region!

If you have any questions, call us on 02 6251 4060 or email us at events@volunteeringact.org.au