A ceremony at Government House on 27 February celebrated the winners and finalists of the 2023 Volunteering Awards.
The Volunteering Awards recognise Victoria’s inspiring volunteers and outstanding community organisations.
Winners in individual volunteer categories
- Tony Davis - Volunteer Commitment award. Tony is a founding member of Kyneton Little Athletics and has been a dedicated volunteer for 53 years.
- Jean Bohmer - Volunteer Impact award. Jean volunteers with Melbourne City Mission in the Palliative Care area, supporting carers with home and hospital visits.
- Caitlin Grigsby - Volunteer Leadership award. Caitlin is a passionate community leader and co-founded Gippsland Pride Initiative, a volunteer-led LGBTQIA+ organisation.
- Benjy Orwin - Young Volunteer award. Benjy began his own charity Socks 4 Support to support people in need when he was 8 years old.
Caitlin Grigsby was also named Volunteer of the Year and received the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Award and a $10,000 donation to a charity of her choice.
Winners in community organisation categories
- ParKanDo - Grassroots Volunteering award. ParKanDo is run by volunteers with personal experience of Parkinson’s: Carmel, Mimi, Pam and Peter. ParKanDo supports people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers.
- Wellsprings for Women - Inclusive Volunteering award. They provide safe, welcoming places and services to help women thrive. Their programs focus on building skills and capacity for migrant and refugee women.
- Association for Children with a Disability (ACD) received the Volunteering Innovation award. ACD’s Community Champions Volunteer Program empowers parents of children with disability to share information, resources and their personal experiences, and to help with ACD’s advocacy work.
- Woor-Dungin received the Volunteering Partnerships award. Woor-Dungin supports Victorian Aboriginal organisations in getting resources to advance important community projects.
Woor-Dungin was also named Volunteer Organisation of the Year and received the Volunteering Excellence Award.
To see the list of winners and finalists, visit Volunteering Victoria website.