The Allan Labor Government is recognising the hard work of Victorians across the state who selflessly give their time and skills to make Victoria an even better place to live with the 2023 Volunteering Awards.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence presented the Awards at a special ceremony at Government House in Melbourne this afternoon, hosted by the Governor of Victoria, her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC.
This year, 28 individuals and 24 organisations were nominated as finalists across eight award categories. The category winners include:
Volunteering Excellence - Volunteer Involving Organisation of the Year Award, and Volunteering Partnerships Award: Woor-Dungin Inc.
Volunteer Commitment Award: Tony Davis
Volunteer Impact Award: Jean Bohmer
Grassroots Volunteering Award: ParKanDo
Inclusive Volunteering Award: Wellsprings for Women
Volunteering Innovation Award: Association for Children with a Disability.
The winner of the 2023 Premier's Volunteer of the Year award is LGBTIQA+ advocate Caitlin Grigsby for her work linking LGBTIQA+ people in Gippsland to essential information, services and support.
The Young Volunteer award went to 14-year-old Benjy Orwin, who has donated more than 44,000 pairs of socks in the past six years through his Socks 4 Support charity, which he founded when he was just 8, to help keep homeless people warm.
For more information about the winners, visit volunteeringvictoria.org.au/awards.
The Volunteering Awards are managed by Volunteering Victoria with the support of the Labor Government.
As stated by Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence
"Our hard-working volunteers play a vital role in our community, and these awards celebrate their incredible achievements."
"Congratulations to all nominees and winners of the 2023 Volunteering Awards and thank you to all volunteers in our community for their hard work."
As stated by Volunteering Victoria Chief Executive Geoff Sharp
"Every one of our award recipients demonstrate the generosity and selflessness that shines in so many volunteers in Victoria. We honour these individuals for their outstanding contributions, but also celebrate them as just a small representation of millions of volunteers who serve their communities every day."
