Who in your life is creating positive change through volunteering?
Volunteers are the backbone of our community, offering their time and skills for the benefit of others, for personal enjoyment, and to foster social and community connections. We are proud to faciliate award categories that are nationally consistent and inclusive, open to volunteers from all industries.
Nominating a volunteer goes beyond acknowledging an individual; it reinforces our collective culture, a culture where each act of giving contributes to the narrative of community support in Tasmania. By nominating a volunteer, you help showcase the significant role their contributions play in shaping the Tasmanian way of life.
Key links and information
Congratulations to the 2025 winners!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate an individual, organisation or group for the 2025 Tasmanian Volunteering Awards, and congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners!
Award Categories
Tasmanian Youth Volunteer of the Year
An individual, team or group (aged 12-25) whose volunteering contributions have made a significant positive impact on their community over the past year. Nominees will have demonstrated their dedicated commitment to a cause and applied a considerable amount of energy, effort, thought or skill to their volunteering work.
2025 Finalists:
- Alana Cornish
- Emily Gamez
- Shakira (Kira) Robertson
2025 Winner:
- Shakira (Kira) Robertson
Inclusive Volunteering Award
Recognises an individual, team or organisation who have demonstrated active commitment to inclusive practices and behaviours by reducing and removing barriers to volunteer participation over the past year. The nominees’ efforts will have created a significant and beneficial social impact in their organisation, in community, or for individuals, through valuing diversity and enhancing inclusion.
2025 Finalists:
- Deepavali Tasmania Inc.
- Huzaifa Fakhruddin
- Peter McKenna
2025 Winner:
- Deepavali Tasmania Inc.
Volunteer Impact Award (corporate/partnerships)
Presented in recognition of a for-profit organisation that has made a positive, measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Tasmanian community through volunteering over the past year. Nominees will have made a significant difference through establishing and/or maintaining effective and enduring partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, business, or local community.
2025 Finalists:
- Metro Tasmania
- MyState Foundation
- Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium
2025 Winner:
- MyState Foundation
Volunteer Impact Award (individual)
Celebrates an individual whose volunteering has made a remarkable difference for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Tasmania over the past year. Nominees will have led or inspired positive change through their volunteering.
2025 Finalists:
- Kirsten Helen Bacon
- Nicki Kastner
- Sam Gordon Campbell
2025 Winner:
- Nicki Kastner
Volunteer Impact Award (group or program)
Presented in recognition of a community group or community-led program that have provided important local services, led positive change, or supported significant improvements and benefits in the community over the past year.
2025 Finalists:
- Be Hers
- It’s Our Community – Pantry Inc.
- Lions Club of Rocky Cape – Lions Eye Health Program Team – North-West
2025 Winner:
- Lions Club of Rocky Cape – Lions Eye Health Program Team – North-West
Excellence in Volunteer Leadership and Management Award
Recognises a volunteer manager, coordinator, or leader for their outstanding contribution to the profession over the past year. Nominees will have built effective volunteer networks and partnerships, empowered others, or proactively engaged and strengthened community.
2025 Finalists:
- Carolyn Whamond
- Huzaifa Fakhruddin
- Janet Drummond
2025 Winner:
- Carolyn Whamond
Lifetime Commitment Award
Honours a dedicated and passionate individual with a sustained and substantial record of volunteer commitment throughout their lifetime to a community, group, organisation, or cause in Tasmania, which has created positive change. This Award is open to people over the age of 18, who have devoted a significant proportion of their life to volunteering.
2025 Finalists:
- Bill Dobson
- Christine Chilcott
- John Ernest Cook
2025 Winner:
- Christine Chilcott
The Premier’s Volunteer of the Year Award
This is awarded by a separate Award Judging Panel and is selected from all individual winners across the categories of: Tasmanian Youth Volunteer of the Year, Inclusive Volunteering Award, Volunteer Impact Award (individual), Excellence in Volunteer Leadership and Management Award and Lifetime Commitment Award.
2025 Winner:
- Christine Chilcott
Read more about our 2025 winners!