The Awards promote and celebrate the range and diversity of volunteering activities in Victoria, including volunteering through community organisations as well as community participation in less formal settings.

They also recognise and celebrate innovation and good practice in a changing volunteering and community participation environment, and provide examples of innovation and good practice to the wider community and not-for-profit sector.

Finalists were awarded $500 and winners $5,000 to support the work of the volunteers involved with their organisation.

This year’s winners are:

• David Quayle from Healthy Minds Network, Swan Hill: Community Volunteering Leadership Award (Regional)
• Edwina Dinkha from Australian Mesopotamian Women’s Association, Roxburgh Park: Community Volunteering Leadership Award (Metropolitan)
• Hiphopportunities for Youth, Golden Square: Young People’s Community Participation Award (Regional)
• Minus 18, Melbourne: Young People’s Community Participation Award (Metropolitan)
• Joint winners: Benalla Visitor Centre, Benalla and Royal Exhange Hotel Cork Club, Traralgon: Community Volunteering New Technology Award (Regional)
• Volunteer Xchange (Yarra Ranges Council), Lilydale: Community Volunteering New Technology Award (Metropolitan)
• Willaura Community Development Group, Willaura: Community Volunteering Achievement Award (Regional)
• Volunteering @ AMES, Melbourne: Community Volunteering Achievement Award (Metropolitan)

The Victorian Government has also launched a new volunteering portal.

The portal is an online community that is designed to provide a “one-stop shop” of volunteering resources. It brings together a wealth of information for volunteers and volunteer organisations throughout the state.

Emily Hollosy

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