Country Fire Authority

Diligent and determined to make Omeo a better place to live and visit, Graham sits on various local and regional committees. He is proactive in emergencies, skilled, enthusiastic and provides support for younger brigade members and general community members. He is Vice-President of the Omeo and District Agricultural Show, on the committee for the Recreation Reserve, Livingstone Park development group and on various committees for the Country Fire Authority. Graham has also volunteered for 30 years with Ambulance Victoria.

Rotary and Uniting Church Ocean Grove

Highly organised and a skilled manager of people, Judy has tirelessly contributed to the Ocean Grove community for more than 20 years. She has participated in various committees, cares for and transports the elderly who can no longer drive, organises markets, an op-shop, and social coffee mornings . As President of The Adult Fellowship she has organised fund-raising for a variety of causes, and has also organised many community projects such as the Anzac Day dawn service breakfast and school scholarships.

Girgarre Community Group

For more than 10 years Wendy has been working tirelessly to ensure elders in the community receive relevant medical attention by undertaking the role of Care Coordinator, ensuring appointments and transport are organised. Wendy makes sure that all clients have their trips booked well in advance and coordinates their appointments to ensure the least amount of waiting and travel time occurs. Wendy also prepares monthly three-course meals for up to 20 people, and assists in weekly meal preparations and various fundraising activities.
 

Keep Australia Beautiful Committee, Australia Day Committee, Beechworth community

From successful grant seeking, to assisting with the start-up of the local information centre for tourists, Iris assists in attracting tourists to Beechworth and making it a great place to live. She has contributed to the Keep Australia Beautiful Committee, Australia Day Committee, Beechworth Harvest Festival, Beechworth Golden Horseshoe Festival, Beechworth Chinese Lantern Festival, Beechworth 150th Anniversary celebrations, and she set up and co-ordinated the Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre. Iris is also Secretary of the Beechworth Lions Club.
 

Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service

Andrew has committed 33 years to the emergency services in front-line and support roles. Andrew has led teams of more than 30 trucks in major bushfires. He acts as a mentor to younger members, has led parade marches, and assisted with fundraisers. Andrew offers his services as an accredited trainer to train other volunteers in different aspects of the organisation, including driving the fire trucks, fire safety, confined spaces and much more.
 

Whitehorse City Council

A commitment to assisting the vulnerable and disadvantaged has seen Cynthia volunteer for 32 years with the Meals on Wheels Program, Blackburn RSL, the Red Cross, as well as ten years with the Canary Club. There are over 300 people requiring delivered meals in her community and Cynthia knows most of them by name because she takes the time to make a positive connection with people.
 

Inclusion Melbourne

Sharon has been volunteering since she was a teenager creating inclusive, therapeutic and personal experiences for people with intellectual disability. Sharon is a valuable member of a team and has supported people in programs including PenPals, Leisure Buddies and Friendly Visitors programs. Sharon builds strong connections with services and clients creating natural supports for people with intellectual disability, ensuring they are safe and connected.
 

Golden Plains Shire Council

Dedicated, thoughtful and hard-working, Kaitlyn was a lead in establishing the ‘People of Golden Plains’, a story telling initiative designed to bring people together in order to combat isolation, make friends and instil local pride. Kaitlyn found other like-minded young people and organised a committee who created opportunities to meet, listen and learn from other locals. Kaitlyn has helped deliver enormously successful events that brought the community together.
 

Kellock Lodge Alexandra

A dedicated leader and board chair, John is on hand almost daily to support staff and residents at a residential aged care facility and oversaw the reconstruction of the facility. John is also a current member and chair of a local rural fire brigade and contributed significantly to emergency services in the 2009 Black Saturday fires. John has held various board positions over many years including with Landcare and Rotary, and has been the custodian, curator and gardener of a cemetery since 1991.
 

St Vincent de Paul Society

Charles has volunteered for over 30 years and displayed kindness and respect towards vulnerable community members. Charles has fostered friendships to make a positive impact on the lives of the poor, the elderly, those with disability or mental health issues to assist them regain hope, dignity, and autonomy. He has been a successful advocate, always reliable, patient and generous with his time and knowledge. He is passionate about equality and inclusion for all.

Werribee Softball Association, City Raiders Softball Club, Softball Victoria

Angela has been instrumental in the revitalisation of softball in Victoria through her social media initiatives, use of new technology and major event coordination. She helped to grow an annual event that now attracts more than 45 teams from across the country. Angela has created websites and Facebook pages for the state umpiring community, club history, and the events committee. Her attention to detail has meant a smooth transition for other club members who may be grappling with new technology.
 

St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria)

For 64 years Barbara has provided first aid at countless public events and in many emergency situations such as bushfires. She was also in the original Mobile Nursing team, contributing her skills in the out-of-hospital environment and was part of the organising team for the 1986 Melbourne Papal Tour. Barbara has been a leader within the organisation, managing first aid rooms, contributing to national level training, providing mentorship to new members and student health professionals.
 

Uniting Bendigo

With his kind and gentle manner, Todd has been a team member at the Kangaroo Flat Emergency Relief centre for over 10 years. Todd supports other volunteers with the heavy work, manages the store, and collects and sorts deliveries. Todd always tries to put a smile on children’s faces when they visit the centre, recognising that their families may be facing tough times. Todd always arrives early and organised, but not before picking up his grandfather so that they can work alongside each other. Todd often takes on additional duties, even when he is not on a shift.
 

Life Saving Victoria and Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Lifesaving Club

Katrina holds multiple roles in her local Surf Lifesaving club, and within Life Saving Victoria. Displaying strong leadership and vision, Katrina selflessly gives up her time to mentor and provide guidance to others, impacting positively on young people and encouraging them to volunteer within their communities. Katrina also inspires older adults to participate in water safety and lifesaving skills which aims to boost a healthy, independent and active lifestyle.
 

1st Strathfieldsaye Scout Group, Forever Young Rock Choir, Bendigo Academy of Sport

Margaret’s leadership has been instrumental in making her scout group one of the largest and most successful in regional Victoria. She is a Cub Leader at three levels, manages 11 others and prepares weekly activities for more than 30 cubs aged seven to ten years old. Margaret also organises weekend activities and the Cuboree (a state-wide, five-day camp held every three years). Volunteering for 26 years, Margaret is also on various committees including the Forever Young Rock Choir in Bendigo and the Bendigo Academy of Sport.

Moreland City Council

Keeper and custodian of the Glenroy Community Hall for more than 50 years, Noel ensures everything runs smoothly. Noel manages bookings and enquires, cleaning, maintenance, and meets with users and Council staff to make sure all involved in this vital community facility are well looked after. Since Noel moved to Hadfield 54 years ago, it is estimated he has devoted more than 30,000 voluntary hours to the Moreland community.
 

Community radio and the Somali community in Victoria

Abdisalan is known for his skill and experience in public speaking and information sharing, contributing to events, community radio, and as an MC. On community radio for over 12 years, Abdisalan has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of many community members, especially Somali-speaking elders who rely on this service to obtain current news and stay connected. Abdisalan is a major contributor to community events and is also a member of the Somali Community Band.
 

Greater Shepparton City Council, Bourchier Street Primary School, GV Health, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, AFL Diversity Program, Cricket Victoria, Buddhist Association of the Goulburn Valley, Multicultural Arts Victoria

Over 15 years Sam has earned a reputation as a respected leader who is making a real impact. He works for better facilities and opportunities and has instigated many projects and events to support social cohesion in the community. Sam is a role model for inter-cultural harmony and his roles span sport, education, employment, finance, health and governance. With innovative approaches, Sam actively helps break down barriers and provides greater opportunities for new arrivals to connect with and contribute to the community.
 

South Yarra Public Tenants Association

For over ten years, Ana has assisted and supported public tenants across two high-rise estates. She has significantly contributed to the care, wellbeing and lives of many, from visiting the sick and elderly to hosting community safety forums, multicultural events and providing a Christmas dinner and toys for families. Ana is President of the South Yarra Public Tenants Association, committee member for the Neighbourhood Action Group and works closely with Prahran Police and others in maintaining safety and security for all residents.
 

Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning

Reliable and humble, Alan has spent every Saturday for the last six years ensuring the kitchen is clean and food is prepared for more than sixty Sudanese women and children and the thirty volunteers who arrive for their English lessons. Alan is very skilled in preparing up to 100 sandwiches in the short time available and takes care to ensure high food safety standards are met. There would be no lunch without him and he is well-respected by the Sudanese families in Sunshine for his amazing contribution.
 

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Margaret has provided support and care for palliative care patients at St Vincent’s hospital for 21 years, assisting patients to die with dignity, compassion and love. Margaret treats everyone with the same amount of compassion and care, and builds trust with patients and their families through showing empathy at this most difficult time. The extent of Margaret’s kindness makes patients feel loved, cared for and, above all, never forgotten.
 

Special Olympics Australia

Sandra has contributed her time and talent to the effective running of the Special Olympics Barwon club committee. For 27 years she has held the role of Treasurer, but has also other roles including membership officer and club sports coordinator. Twenty years ago, she established the basketball program at the club and has grown the program successfully since. Sandra has contributed to running events as the state basketball coordinator and has assisted on national games teams for three years in support roles.