NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 2026

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be held on 18 – 24 May 2026. This year’s theme is Your Year to Volunteer.

This week-long theme recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers and invites people across Australia to make 2026 the year they get involved and make a difference.

In 2026, the United Nations has declared the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), highlighting the essential role volunteers play in advancing sustainability worldwide.

National Volunteer Week 2026 aligns with IVY 2026 by amplifying the voices of volunteers and supporting action that helps volunteering thrive.

This National Volunteer Week celebrate the dedication of current volunteers and encourage everyone to discover how sharing their time and talents can spark joy and foster a deep sense of purpose.

Carnarvon National Volunteer Week Awards

As National Volunteer Week approaches, the Shire of Carnarvon has launched an awards program to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of volunteers in our community. 

That's why we're excited to announce that the upcoming Carnarvon Volunteer Awards, with date, venue, and time to be confirmed. The evening will include guest speakers followed by the presentation of the Carnarvon National Volunteer Week Awards, which will honour outstanding individuals and organisations who have made a positive impact through their volunteer work. 

We need the community to help identify those who deserve recognition for their selfless contributions. If you know someone or an organisation that has gone above and beyond to help others, please nominate them for the Carnarvon Volunteer Awards by completing the form below. Nominations close on Thursday, 30 April at 8pm.  

Let's come together to celebrate National Volunteer Week and recognise those who have made a difference in our community.

Download an information kit HERE.

Criteria for Carnarvon National Volunteer Week Awards:

• The nominee must have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteering in the Carnarvon community.
• The nominee's volunteering activities should have made a significant positive impact on the community.
• The nominee's volunteering should have been undertaken on a voluntary basis and not for financial gain.
• The nominee's volunteering should have been ongoing and not just for a one-off event.
• The nominee should have demonstrated a positive attitude towards volunteering and be a role model for others in the community.

Categories for Carnarvon National Volunteer Week Awards:

Young Volunteer of the Year:

• Must be between the ages of 12-25 years
• Must have made a significant contribution to their community through volunteering
• Must demonstrate leadership qualities and inspire others to volunteer
• Must have volunteered for a minimum of 50 hours in the last 12 months
• Must be able to demonstrate the impact of their volunteering

Community OR Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering:

• Must have made a significant contribution to their community through volunteering
  • Community Volunteer - Minimum of 1 year of service 
  • Lifetime Volunteer - Over a period of at least 10 years
• Must have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to volunteering
• Must have made a lasting impact on the community through their volunteering
• Must have inspired others to volunteer
• Must be able to demonstrate the impact of their volunteering

Volunteer Group of the Year - Event & Community Organisation:

• Must be a group of volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the community
• Must have worked together effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals
• Must be able to demonstrate the impact of their volunteering on the community
• Must have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to their volunteering
• Must have gone above and beyond their duties as volunteers

Sporting Club of the Year:

• Must be a club that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community development and volunteerism.
• Must have worked together effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals.
• Must have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to their volunteering

Download nomination forms here or complete the form below by 8pm on Thursday, 30 April 2026. 

Nomination Forms 

For categories: Young Volunteer of the Year & Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering

 

For category: Volunteer Group of the Year - Event & Community Organisation & Sporting Club of the Year

 

What happens next? 

1. It all starts with your nomination.
2. The Shire of Carnarvon Awards Committee will meet on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 to review all submissions received and select one recipient in each of the four award categories.
3. The recipients will be presented to the Council on Tuesday, 26 May.
4. The four recipients will be announced at the Volunteer Awards on International Volunteer Day, Saturday 5 December 2026 (Venue and Location to be confirmed.) 

This year, we will celebrate the incredible contributions of our local volunteers and community heroes in December on International Volunteer Day, Saturday 5 December 2026. Our annual National Volunteer Awards will be held on Saturday, 5 December 2026, aligning with International Volunteer Day. This dedicated event will allow us to celebrate our volunteers with a full awards ceremony, food, entertainment and a well-deserved night of recognition.

More information?

Contact Helen Tipton, Community Development Team Lead by emailing tipton.h@carnarvon.wa.gov.au or calling (08) 9941 0000.