The quiet achievers who keep the Hawkesbury running, from Meals on Wheels drivers to bushfire responders and community group leaders—are being urged to step into the spotlight, with nominations now open for one of the state’s largest volunteer recognition programs.
The annual NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, run by The Centre for Volunteering, are calling for nominations to recognise the dedication, leadership and impact of volunteers across the state.
The awards have grown into one of Australia’s premier celebrations of volunteering, recognising tens of thousands of individuals each year across regional and metropolitan communities.
Recognising the Backbone of the Community
Volunteers are often described as the backbone of communities like the Hawkesbury supporting everything from emergency response and sporting clubs to aged care and local charities.
The awards program is designed to shine a light on those contributions, with categories including:
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Adult Volunteer of the Year
- Senior Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Team of the Year
- Emergency Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Leader of the Year
Regional ceremonies are held across NSW, with finalists progressing to a state gala event later in the year.
The scale of the awards highlights just how significant volunteering is across NSW.
Last year alone more than 145,000 volunteers were recognised from over 500 organisations across 25 regional ceremonies.
These figures reflect not only the number of people giving their time, but the depth of community reliance on volunteer support.
Hawkesbury’s Strong Volunteer Spirit
For the Hawkesbury, the awards represent an opportunity to showcase a region known for its resilience and community spirit.
From flood recovery efforts and rural fire service volunteers to local sporting clubs and community organisations, volunteering plays a critical role in everyday life.
In a region that has faced repeated natural disasters in recent years, volunteers have often been the first to step up providing practical support, emotional care and community leadership when it matters most.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Anyone involved in volunteering in NSW can be nominated, provided their work has taken place within the past 12 months and is connected to a legitimate organisation, community group or service. (The Centre for Volunteering)
Importantly, volunteering is defined as:
time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain. (The Centre for Volunteering)
This includes not only frontline volunteers, but also those who coordinate, manage and lead volunteer teams.
Why Recognition Matters
While many volunteers do not seek recognition, the awards serve an important purpose. They highlight the value of unpaid community work, encourage others to get involved and strengthen connections across communities.
They also provide a rare opportunity to formally acknowledge individuals who often work behind the scenes.
A Chance to Celebrate Local Heroes
For Hawkesbury residents, the message is simple: if you know someone making a difference, now is the time to nominate them.
Whether it’s a young person helping out at a local club, a long-serving community volunteer or a team supporting vulnerable residents, these are the stories the awards aim to recognise.
Building Stronger Communities
At a time when many communities are facing increasing pressures from cost of living challenges to natural disasters, the role of volunteers has never been more important.
Programs like the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards not only celebrate those contributions but reinforce the idea that strong communities are built by people willing to give their time and energy to others.
Nominations Now Open
Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open, with community members encouraged to put forward individuals and teams who embody the spirit of volunteering.
For the Hawkesbury, it’s an opportunity to ensure local stories and local heroes are recognised on a state stage.
Because behind every strong community is a network of volunteers quietly making it all possible.
For further information follow the link (The Centre for Volunteering) and acknowledge the efforts of our local residents. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 29 May 2026.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards operate regionally first (e.g. North Western Sydney, which includes Hawkesbury), with winners progressing to the state finals. Many Hawkesbury volunteers are recognised at the regional level, even if they do not go on to win the statewide title.
