The Volunteering Awards, Canberra region are back!

Get ready to celebrate volunteers

Every December, around International Volunteer Day, VolunteeringACT proudly hosts the premier recognition event for volunteers in the Canberra region, the Volunteering Awards.  

Volunteer managers, volunteers, leaders and friends can nominate outstanding individuals and teams of volunteers as a way of honouring their efforts and important contributions to the ACT community.  

The ceremony makes visible stories of spirit, kindness, innovation, inclusion and resilience that inspire our whole community. Last year, the event received over 80 nominations, including individuals and teams across nine award categories. 

This year we have nine categories and are seeking the community’s support to make it to 100 nominations! 

Nominate now!

We encourage everyone to acknowledge the vital work of volunteers by nominating them in the various award categories for 2023.  

VolunteeringACT encourages First Nations peoples to nominate or be nominated in the Volunteering Awards as we recognise that helping out is inherent within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.   

Please be aware that we have prepared a Nomination Guide with helpful information. We invite you to review it before submitting your nominations.  

We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Volunteering Awards ceremony!

Key dates

  • Nominations close: 5:00 PM – Monday 30 October 2023 

  • Assessment and Selection: November 2023

  • Canberra’s Choice Award Voting Opens: Friday 3 November 2023 

  • Canberra’s Choice Award Voting Closes: Friday 24 November 2023

  • Volunteering Awards 2023 Ceremony: 6:00 PM – Tuesday 5 December 2023 at the Gordon Darling Hall in the National Portrait Gallery 

Please note that all nominators are emailed an invitation to attend the ceremony in–person or virtually. All nominees are also invited, as well as other significant Canberra change-makers.

Award Categories

Volunteer of the Year Award

This is the highest volunteer recognition in the Canberra region. Your nomination in any category is automatically in the running for this award.

An individual or team whose volunteering contributions have been instrumental in supporting people and communities through personal or community crisis situations. These situations could include cost of living crisis, food relief, natural disaster or personal crisis. This volunteer or team have demonstrated resilience, problem solving skills and dedication for the cause. 

An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individual or team whose volunteering contributions have had a significant positive community impact. For example, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander volunteer or team who has led the way for positive change in the Canberra community or has shown commitment to the cause they volunteer for. At least half of the team members must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to be considered eligible for this award.   

An individual or team whose volunteering work has had a beneficial social impact by helping to reduce and remove barriers to participation in the Canberra community. This volunteer or team have demonstrated active commitment to inclusive practices and behaviours in their community beyond just recognising the need for inclusion.

An individual or team (aged 55+) whose volunteering contributions have made a significant positive impact on the Canberra community. For example, a senior volunteer or team who have demonstrated commitment through having a long volunteering service record or dedicating a large amount of their time to volunteering within or across multiple organisations.

Canberra's Choice Award

All nominees for all award categories are put forth for this award. The winner is chosen based on the amount of votes received by the public.

A team, program, or organisation who have made a significant positive impact on the Canberra community through the work of their team. For example, a team who have demonstrated their ability to operate as a cohesive team to successfully achieve their work. Another example could be a team who have overcome difficulties and barriers to their work and still delivered outstanding outcomes to the community. 

An individual volunteer or team that demonstrates commitment to the principles of kindness, collaboration, and teamwork in their volunteering and have had significant community impact by their leadership. For example, an individual or team who have shown leadership without necessarily holding the title of being a leader. This award is for a volunteer or team who have made a significant contribution by demonstrating leadership or mentoring qualities. If you are looking to nominate a coordinator or manager of volunteers (paid or unpaid), please nominate in the Volunteer Managers Awards 2023 (nominations will be open soon).  

An individual or team (aged 14-30) whose volunteering contributions have made a significant positive impact on the Canberra community. For example, a young person or team who have demonstrated commitment to the cause and applied a significant amount of energy, thought and skill to their volunteering work. The volunteer or team members must be within that age bracket at the time of their volunteer contribution to be eligible for this award.