Nominations are now open for the 2021 Volunteering Awards, which celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Victoria’s hard-working volunteers.
The awards are an opportunity to recognise the incredible support volunteers have given to others during a difficult year – whether it’s delivering essential food relief and medical supplies or helping seniors video call loved ones, volunteers are the backbone of our community and we say thank you.
The efforts of volunteers, leaders and organisations will be recognised across eight awards categories, including for leadership, service, impact and teamwork.
A highlight is the Premier’s Volunteer of the Year, who is recognised with the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award. The winner will receive a $10,000 prize to donate to a not-for-profit organisation of their choice.
This year Volunteering Victoria will combine its awards with the Victorian Government’s Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards.
Nominations for the 2021 Volunteering Awards will close on January 14, 2022. Finalists will be announced on 23 February 2022 and winners will be acknowledged at an official ceremony in March 2022. For more information or to nominate someone, visit volunteeringvictoria.org.au/events/volunteering-awards-2021.
Following consultation with volunteers and community organisations, the Government is currently developing a Victorian Volunteer Strategy which will underpin efforts to ensure volunteers are supported and make volunteering more accessible.
Quote attributable to Member for Hawthorn, John Kennedy MP
“Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers here in Hawthorn – you do such an important job supporting the community.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers James Merlino
“If you know a volunteer doing extraordinary work, I encourage you to nominate them so we can celebrate their important achievements.”
Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Anthony Carbines
“Victoria’s volunteers have made a huge impact in our community during the pandemic, selflessly helping others in our community.”
May 16, 2022 - Parliament
I discussed my concerns about some of the grubby politics that our local Liberal Parliamentarians have engaged in over the course of the Federal Campaign in this weeks Members Statement.
April 14, 2022 - Parliament
I was going to begin with a text for today, but I really cannot let the member for Gembrook get too far away there. I just want to talk about elephants briefly—it is the concept of the elephant in the room. When I hear this...
April 4, 2022 - Parliament
Watch my speech on the Gambling and Liquor Legislation Amendment Bill below.
March 18, 2022 - Parliament
As a former officer in the RAAF, I was especially delighted to be given the honour of representing the government at the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. It was a timely reminder that many Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our...
March 7, 2022 - Parliament
November 29, 2021 - Parliament
Adapted from John Kennedy’s Speech to the Legislative Assembly on 17 November 2021 The Attorney-General’s question and answer document states: ‘We will better balance the right to equality with the right to religious freedom, ensuring protection and promotion of both rights.’ There are colleagues better...
November 1, 2021 - Parliament
Last week, the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 passed in the Assembly after being the source of both public and parliamentary debate. Personally, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better contribution about both the bill and the nature...
October 18, 2021 - Parliament
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (13:39): During 2019—near the end of 2019—the Minister for Education invited me to a busman’s holiday, and basically the busman’s holiday was to chair the reference group in respect of the review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling....
August 6, 2021 - News, Parliament
Member’s Statement, given on the 5th of July, 2021. This week is Homelessness Week. I find it astonishing that in an affluent country such as ours over 116 000 people experience homelessness on any given night. Research has shown that secure and affordable housing is...
August 3, 2021 - Parliament
My question is for the Minister for Education and is regarding the proposed VCAL reforms. The integration of VCAL into the VCE follows a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth. I was pleased to chair the expert reference group for...