Volunteering Victoria’s Inaugural Award Winners

Volunteering Victoria has announced the six winner of the inaugural State Awards showcasing the commitment, diversity and impact of Victoria’s volunteer managers, volunteering programs and volunteer-involving organisations.

The Innovation Award went to Ardoch Youth Foundation’s Volunteer Professional Development Program for successfully training and mobilising education volunteers in the classroom to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for disadvantaged children and young people.

The Heide Museum of Modern Art Volunteer Management Team received the Excellence Award for best management practice and delivery of programs by volunteers. With nearly 200 volunteers working across Visitor Services, Public Programs, Education, Collection and Gardens, they play a vital role at Heide by interacting and engaging with visitors across the Museum and the community it serves.

The Inclusion Award  honoured the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network for building a youth-led movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to educate, inspire and empower other young Indigenous people to lead climate change and sustainability campaigns and projects.

The Victorian-based National Council of Jewish Women of Australia won the Impact Award for its Caring Mums Program. Pregnant women and new mothers from a range of cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds with limited social networks are paired with trained volunteer “Mums”, who provide emotional support during this time.

Shane Genziuk, Technology Manager and Doctoral Candidate (Not for Profit Studies), was recognised with the Thought Leaders Award for his research on how corporate foundations could influence volunteering in how they choose to partner with Not for Profits.

Global manufacturing technology leader Cummins won the Corporate Award for its employee volunteering program that supports Foodbank Victoria to pack and distribute food around the state.

“Volunteer managers are crucial to building and sustaining an effective, volunteering effort. Volunteering is critical to community resilience and social inclusion, as well as the health and wellbeing of those who volunteer, and those who are supported by volunteers,” Chief Executive Officer of Volunteering Victoria, Sue Noble, said.

“As the State’s peak body, Volunteering Victoria proudly honours the dedicated work by these volunteer managers and volunteering-involving organisations in the delivery of volunteering programs that demonstrate the pinnacle of excellence and innovation in the sector.

“In 2016 formal volunteering is predicted to contribute between $25 and $31 billion to the Victorian economy, reflecting the power of volunteering. It supports all facets of our community including health, community services, sport, emergency services, arts and culture, multicultural communities, youth, ageing and disability services and is critical to building a more tolerant, sustainable and liveable society.

“With ABS statistics suggesting a declining trend in volunteering, now more than ever we need to acknowledge and support these individuals and organisations that make great volunteering happen.”