Thursday, 12 February 2026
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan is encouraging friends, family and coworkers put a remarkable volunteer’s name forward to be recognised by nominating them for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Launched in 2007 by the Centre for Volunteering, the awards celebrate the six million people who volunteer for organisations across Australia.
Mr Moylan said the Northern Tablelands has numerous people who contribute to our communities by selflessly offering their time and we can now formally show our appreciation their efforts.
“Recognising and celebrating our volunteers is incredibly important because, without them, many organisations, charities, events, sporting clubs and more couldn’t operate,” he said.
“Although they don’t do it for recognition, the Volunteer of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to formally thank and acknowledge how valuable these people are in our communities.
“Last year, Moree’s Kamala Wheeler received the 2025 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year Award nearly 40 years of volunteering at the SES.
“Kamala and other volunteers continually show up for others when it matters the most and it is great to recognise their dedication and compassion.
“I urge people to nominate our communities’ unsung heroes in this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards.”
There are seven categories for the awards:
- Young volunteer (24 years and under)
- Adult volunteer (25 to 64 years)
- Senior volunteer (65 years and over)
- Volunteer team
- Emergency volunteer
- Volunteer leader
- Not-for-profit voluntary governance
There are two ways to nominate: for Recognition Only, where nominees receive a certificate and are invited to attend their local regional ceremony, or for Judging, where nominees are assessed by an independent panel and considered for regional and state honours. All nominations must be submitted online via The Centre for Volunteering’s website by 5pm, Friday 29 May 2026. Nominations opened on 11 February.
Nominators must have the nominee’s consent and provide their personal email address so they can receive ceremony invitations and important updates. For nominees under 18, parental or guardian consent is required in line with Child Safe Standards.
Volunteers and Volunteer Leaders and managers are not permitted to nominate themselves.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit The Centre for Volunteering’s website: www.volunteering.com.au/nominations-open-for-2026-nsw-volunteer-of-the-year-awards
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552
Photo caption: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and last year’s New England-Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year Kamala Wheeler who went on to win the statewide award.