Monday, 17 July 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is urging people to nominate hard-working volunteers from Gippsland in this year’s Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards.

The prestigious awards will recognise up to 60 volunteers of different ages and cultural backgrounds, in the categories of Leadership, Impact, Service, and Teamwork.

The Premier’s Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Award will be selected from all award recipients and will receive a $10,000 Government donation to a charity of their choice.

The Government allocated $145,000 in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 to strengthen and diversify the volunteering sector by researching new ways to promote and recruit volunteers.

Victoria’s volunteer sector is worth more than $23 billion to the state economy, a figure that is expected to increase to $42 billion by 2021.

The Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards ceremony will be held in December, to coincide with the International Day of the Volunteer.

Award nominations close on 14 August at 5pm.

To nominate a volunteer or for more information, visit: www.volunteer.vic.gov.au/awards

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“Victorians don’t shy away from lending a hand and giving back to the community, which is why we have more than 1.5 million volunteers across the state – this is a chance to say thank you.”

“These awards celebrate the tireless work of our volunteers, and I encourage all Victorians to consider nominating someone they know who is making a real difference in the community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“These awards are just one of the ways that people in Gippsland can celebrate the selfless work of our volunteering community.”

“Last year’s awards attracted nominations from a range of different sectors, and I look forward to recognising more hard-working volunteers from Gippsland this year.”