The South Australian Volunteer Awards are now open for nominations and to help celebrate its 20th year of recognising volunteering excellence, the community are encouraged to nominate the outstanding efforts of local volunteers.
Whether it is a steadfast volunteer, community initiative or business that has made a positive impact across the City of Playford, these awards are an opportunity to highlight the inspirational contribution.
In the past year, Council has had 340 volunteers dedicating their time in the Playford area to help mentor young people, run community programs, provide essential support to vulnerable individuals, protect the environment and make an immeasurable impact in our community.
These local individuals have racked up more than 70,000 hours of volunteering, with an average of 208 hours of hard work undertaken by each volunteer.
The City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty is proud our City has fostered a strong volunteering culture and hopes the community takes the opportunity to put forward these individuals who dedicate their time to bettering the lives of others.
"Our volunteers play a crucial part in boosting local services, improving the health and wellbeing of our community and inspiring community engagement while creating a sense of shared responsibility," Mayor Docherty said.
"Playford's volunteers are a powerful force for positive change. They make our community strong, more vibrant and a caring place to live, so let's nominate these pillars of our community."
Council's selfless volunteers are worth more than $3.5 million to the City of Playford, as they contribute time to 83 programs which provide a direct benefit to our community.
In fact, volunteers put in a massive 15,000 hours for transport services, 8200 in the Grenville Hub kitchen and 11,500 at the Healthy Food Co at Smithfield and Elizabeth Downs, while 3000 hours are contributed to the Playford Wellbeing Hub.
Playford's environment programs receive support for 1500 hours, while Justice of the Peace volunteers dedicate 700 hours and 480 go toward library shelving.
Volunteers are also on deck for 68 hours to help with Northern Sound System activities and 57 hours go toward the Youth Advisory Committee.
To celebrate these volunteer contributions, the community are encouraged to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the efforts of volunteers, strengthen our community, highlight the power of community service and raise awareness of the essential role volunteers play in Playford.
The SA Volunteer Awards celebrate incredible volunteers in five categories:
• The Joy Noble Medal: South Australia's highest distinction for an individual volunteer.
• The Young Volunteer Award: Honouring an impressive young volunteer aged 12 to 25.
• 'The Andamooka' Community Project Award: Recognising a community or group volunteer project of significant community benefit.
• The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award: Honouring a volunteer manager for their outstanding contribution to the profession.
• The Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility: Recognising the community contribution of a South Australian for-profit business.
Nominations can be submitted at vsant.org.au/savolunteerawards and nominations close on Sunday 30 March 2025 at 5:00pm.
