Knox City Council is calling for nominations in its annual Community Awards, recognising and celebrating the valuable contribution volunteers make to the community.
Nominations are invited in categories of Knox Volunteer of the Year, Knox Community Organisation of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer Service, Recognition of Years of Service.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony during National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, which runs from 20-26 May.
Knox mayor Jude Dwight said the awards will recognise individuals, organisations, clubs and groups for their volunteer efforts.
“Knox has many unsung heroes who have made valuable contributions to our community and improved the lives of others through their selfless and tireless volunteer efforts,” she said.
“The Knox Community Awards are an important way to show we value and appreciate the important work that volunteers do in many different areas, supporting those in need and helping important causes.
“These awards will recognise and celebrate those who have made a difference in our community. As well as recognising individuals for outstanding and continuous service, these awards will honour not-for-profit community groups and organisations whose work has made a positive impact to the Knox community.
“Knox has a higher than average rate of volunteering, which shows how passionate people are about contributing and giving back to our community.”
The 2021 Census showed Knox has 17,300 people aged 15 and over who did some form of voluntary work through an organisation or group in the previous 12 months. This is 13.1 per cent of the population aged 15 plus and is higher than the proportion for Greater Melbourne overall (12.1 per cent).
The largest group of volunteers in Knox are people aged 40-49 (3,500 people or 16.5 per cent of residents in that age group), while there are 600 volunteers in their 80s and 90s. A total of 11,200 Australian-born residents and 6,100 overseas-born residents in Knox volunteer.
Nominations open Monday 5 February and close Monday 1 April.
For more information visit knox.vic.gov.au/communityawards
