Melbourne Aces

Despite holding multiple volunteer roles, Emily has excelled as a co-organiser and founder of the Melbourne Aces group, which supports the asexual community in Victoria. She runs meetings, administers the website, and seeks opportunities to promote understanding, including having the group listed with Lifeline. She plays a critical role for people who identify as asexual and ‘need a place and community that reminds them that they aren't broken’.

The Salvation Army Victorian Emergency Services

Volunteering with the Salvation Army for an impressive 25 years, John has provided emergency relief during large events, including the Black Saturday Fires. As Western Victoria Regional Director for 20 years he visited the Ballarat depot almost daily. During emergencies he has sometimes been in attendance for over a week. His commitment has been described as going ‘well above and beyond what could reasonably be expected of any volunteer’.
 

Lions Club of Beechworth

A passionate and tireless volunteer, Josie has been pivotal in reinvigorating the Beechworth Lions Club, which went from near closure to being awarded Number One District Club out of 66 entrants. As President, she increased membership and engaged the club in over 30 projects. Josie also holds other volunteer roles, including Prisoner Partner offering free accommodation to family members of inmates of Beechworth Correction Centre who cannot afford other options.
 

Multiple Birth Volunteer Support Foundation

Since founding the Multiple Birth Volunteer Support Program 17 years ago, Lynne has been providing exceptional strategic direction and support, including two years as CEO. Over the past five years she has devoted over 30 hours a week. At 77 years of age she continues to manage the volunteer program which currently supports 35 babies. Her work has had ‘a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of people’.
 

Project Respect

For the past six months, Melissa has used her immense skill and knowledge to develop a volunteer program at Project Respect, which now has 27 volunteers delivering programs to extremely marginalised women trafficked for sexual exploitation or in the sex industry. Without her coordination the program would not exist. Deeply committed to the organisation, she has also assisted in development of a community garden and helps with informal language classes.
 

Judo Victoria

One of Judo Victoria's longest serving and hardest working volunteers, Stan heads the Judo Victoria Referee Commission, and has been a volunteer official for over 25 years, supporting and developing referees. He has refereed for Victoria, Australia and internationally. At events he leads the team of volunteer officials, allocates volunteer referees to matches and mentors them. Judo Victoria would not be able to run its competition program without Stan.

St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria)

For 23 years, Stephen has demonstrated outstanding commitment as a St Johns Ambulance volunteer. While working full-time as a paramedic, he has managed the Wyndham division for 18 months resulting in a 28 percent increase in St. John’s attendance at community events. As a professional trainer, in the last 12 months, he has contributed to the development of 500 members and provided 333 hours of community service at public events.