The South Australian Volunteer Awards celebrate the important contributions of volunteers, managers, organisations and businesses to our community.
We are proud to recognise the 2026 winners and finalists.
Joy Noble Medal
South Australia’s highest distinction for an individual volunteer.
Keith Clark
For more than 11 years, Keith Clark has supported thousands of South Australians as a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, providing compassionate, non-judgemental support to help-seekers during their most vulnerable moments.
Across thousands of hours of service, Keith has supported – and in many cases helped save – countless lives, resulting in long-term positive outcomes not only for individuals, but also for families and communities who would otherwise have experienced significant loss. His calm presence, empathy, and reliability consistently reflect the core values of Lifeline and the highest standards of crisis support.
Beyond frontline service, Keith is a Lifeline Student Mentor assisting new Crisis Supporters, offering guidance, reassurance, and encouragement as they build confidence and capability. Keith has also volunteered with the Aldgate Country Fire Service for over 30 years.
Category finalists
- Lisa O'Malley
- Julie Irwin
- Christine Robertson
- Julianne Jakaitis
- Peter Jarvis.
The Young Volunteer Award
Recognising an impressive young volunteer.
Haylie Staunton
Haylie Staunton is an advocate for young people across South Australia and dedicates her time to creating exciting social and personal development opportunities for people living in regional communities.
Haylie is the Barossa Valley coordinator for 'We Are Not Alone', a movement connecting and amplifying the voices of youth with disability in regional Australia, and the regional engagement coordinator for the South Australian Youth Forum.
Her advocacy work has involved impactful meetings with government, politicians and changemakers in South Australia — ensuring the voices of young people and those in regional communities are heard.
Category finalists
- Abbey Wilkinson
- Ella Coates
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
Recognising a community or group volunteer project of significant community benefit.
Camden's Food and Wellbeing Outreach Program
Camden's Food and Wellbeing Outreach Program delivers compassionate, dignity-centred support to individuals and families experiencing deep social and economic disadvantage. Since 2017, the program has expanded to support 500 people each week across four council areas in South Australia, providing food security, personal care items, clothing and essential household goods.
For many participants, Camden volunteers are the only regular point of human contact, delivering both practical assistance and vital social connection.
At the heart of Camden is a dedicated team of 17 volunteers contributing approximately 200 hours each week across 6 days.
Category finalists
- Dementia Care Companions - Central Adelaide Local Health Network Volunteer Services
- Harmful Algal Bloom Project - Phytoplankton of South Australia
- Octopus for a Preemie South Australia – Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association and Octopus for a Preemie South Australia
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Recognising a volunteer manager for their outstanding contribution to the profession.
Sandi Elliot – In Home Hospice Care Inc.
Sandi Elliott is Manager at In Home Hospice Care Inc., a volunteer-led organisation established in Mount Gambier to provide essential in-home support for people facing life-limiting illnesses.
Sandi has recruited, trained, and mentored more than 55 volunteers, ensuring they are well-prepared to provide compassionate and professional palliative care and emotional support for individuals and families across the lower southeast region.
She has established partnerships with local professionals and community services to enhance the care provided and developed caregiver education programs, equipping family members and informal carers with practical skills and emotional strategies to better support a loved one dying at home.
Category finalists
- Kat Wallace – Lifeline Adelaide
- Courtney Arthur – Hutt St Centre
The Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Recognising the community contribution of a South Australian for-profit business.
Gallagher Bassett South Australia
Gallagher Bassett South Australia is dedicated to delivering exceptional claims management solutions, tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients.
Its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee plays a vital role in fostering a culture of giving back and making a positive impact across environmental protection and sustainability, health and wellbeing and support for the broader community.
Key projects undertaken in South Australia include:
- Donation drives for organisations such as Scruffer Lovers, Purrfect Paws and Hutt Street Centre
- Recycle for a Cause, raising more than $900 for Backpacks 4 SA Kids and Breakthrough Mental Health Research
- Preparing more than 5,200 book packs for Raising Literacy Australia, donations which offer comfort, imagination and connection to children in out-of-home care.
Category finalists
- Enque Agency
- SA Power Networks
Joy Noble Medal
Danica Gates – Chair of Beacon of Hope, Tumby Bay and Districts Suicide Prevention Network (Eyre Peninsula)
Following the devastating loss of her brother in 2016, Danica has devoted the past eight years to suicide prevention in her rural community of Tumby Bay and Districts. As founding Chairperson of the Beacon of Hope Suicide Prevention Network, she’s worked tirelessly to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower others through education and connection.
Despite no prior committee experience, Danica established the Suicide Prevention Network from the ground up, facilitated training, organised events, and advocated for safe conversations informed by lived experience. Danica co-wrote and won a SPARK Grant from the Fay Fuller Foundation to explore sustainable preventative practices in mental wellbeing in Tumby Bay and Districts. She’s also spoken at state and national conferences, completed leadership training, and received the 2022 Rowan Ramsay Community Award.
Through her efforts, individuals, families, schools, and the broader community have gained better access to resources, services, and understanding.
Danica's unwavering dedication, compassion, and advocacy has empowered the community to be more aware, informed and compassionate of risk factors and signs of suicide and to learn to better support one another.
Category finalists
Lisa O’Malley
Dr Jelina Haines
Eman Rahim
The Young Volunteer Award
Lucy Stevens – The Smith Family
Lucy Stevens has dedicated over a decade to volunteer service, making a profound impact both locally and globally. A passionate advocate for youth development, Indigenous reconciliation, and social justice, she has led initiatives across the arts, education, and humanitarian causes. From singing with the Adelaide University Conservatorium Chorale to mentoring young people through Rotary’s RYLA and Camp Kickstart, Lucy’s leadership empowers others.
Internationally, she raised funds for World Vision, studied sustainable development in Africa, and led a global 6 kilometre Walk for Water, raising $1,500 for clean water. She also helped establish a long-running Bread Tags for Wheelchairs program at her school.
As a non-Indigenous Reconciliation Ambassador, Lucy partnered with Kaurna Elders to lead student engagement and contribute to her school’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Volunteer placements with the Magdalene Centre, Welcome Centre, and Salvation Army highlight her compassion.
Now working with The Smith Family’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, Lucy continues to lead with gratitude, inclusion, and a growth mindset as well as a deep understanding of the importance of connecting community.
Category finalists
Edward Mickan
Tom Rungie
William Seton
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
Chihuly in the Botanic Garden Volunteers, Botanic Garden and State Herbarium
Chihuly in the Botanic Garden transformed Adelaide Botanic Garden into a world-class open-air exhibition, attracting over one million visitors in just six months. Showcasing the glass artistry of Dale Chihuly, the event gave a major boost to South Australia’s tourism economy, with one-third of attendees visiting from interstate or overseas.
At the heart of this success was the remarkable contribution of more than 250 volunteers, who contributed over 10,000 hours across roles including tour guiding, exhibition support, accessibility assistance, and educational workshops. They delivered multilingual tours, supported school groups, enhanced the horticultural team with Chihuly-themed displays, and became the welcoming face of the exhibition.
The project also introduced new leadership structures, digital tools, and peer mentoring, laying the groundwork for a revitalised, inclusive volunteering model at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium. Their contribution strengthened community connections and set a new standard for volunteer engagement in large-scale cultural experiences in South Australia.
Category finalists
The South Australian Youth Forum
Enabled Youth Disability Network Project
Revival: A legacy of Resilience and Community Empowerment
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Ryan Sims – Botanic Garden and State Herbarium, Chihuly in the Botanic Garden
An active volunteer program was already in place before Chihuly in the Botanic Garden, the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, however, the exhibition’s scale required a major expansion in volunteer numbers and roles.
Seizing the opportunity, Volunteer Coordinator Ryan Sims embraced a more inclusive and flexible model that welcomed more than 250 volunteers into new roles, while continuing to support existing teams across horticulture, education, science, and cultural collections.
Ryan’s leadership fostered a diverse, empowered, and committed volunteer cohort. He matched people with roles aligned to their skills and interests, mentored newcomers and championed professional development, and remained deeply engaged through mentoring and hands-on support. He also contributed to the rollout of a new volunteer management system, empowering a small team of digital champions to assist others.
Through Ryan’s values of respect, inclusion, and empowerment, volunteers felt supported, valued and inspired. Their contribution enriched the visitor experience, strengthened community ties, boosted the local economy, and helped make Chihuly a resounding triumph—thanks in no small part to Ryan’s leadership.
Category finalists
Bridy Bartsch
Ralph Drage
The Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Virtual School Australia
Virtual School Australia (VSA) is an award-winning, volunteer-powered platform delivering empathy-driven education since 2016. Blending academic excellence with social impact, VSA volunteers empower students—especially refugees and those from low-income backgrounds—through hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) programs in safe, nurturing environments.
A cornerstone of VSA’s work is free online education for marginalised and vulnerable learners. During the pandemic, it swiftly launched free online learning for isolated students around the world, earning the 2021 Blackboard Award for Teaching and Learning.
Beyond the classroom, VSA volunteers support initiatives in arts, social advocacy, and community development—from literacy and science programs to cultural performances at the Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. These events, often volunteer-led, give voice to stories of resilience and hope.
Volunteers also support projects like street plays on gender-based violence and mentor young writers through the Elaine Hobson Memorial Literary Festival. Through events like the Global Empathy Conference, VSA continues to foster connection, global dialogue, and compassion—driven by its passionate volunteer community.
Category finalists
BTR Excavation Pty Ltd
Gallagher Bassett
Joy Noble Medal
Dulcie Boag - Hutt Street Centre
Dulcie Boag has been an integral part of Hutt St Centre for over 44 years, contributing her time, skills, and compassion to almost all aspects of the organisation.
Dulcie has helped the Hutt St Centre through its Op Shop, front reception, sorting donations, coordinating fundraising efforts and events, and helping out in the kitchen.
Her steadfast presence and compassionate nature have been a source of comfort and support for countless individuals facing homelessness.
In a terrific recent milestone of her own, Dulcie has celebrated her 89th birthday — which equates to her committing almost half her life to Hutt St Centre!
Category finalists
Neil Davis
Linda Fisk
Aida Garcia
Dale Thompson
April Wilson
The Young Volunteer Award
Atiu Kuot Madut
Atiu has volunteered with the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) since 2018 as a Peer Leader in its Youth Ambassador program.
After being a participant, she has returned each year as a mentor to new students undertaking the program. The program focuses on developing leadership skills and confidence for high school students who are passionate about refugee issues, so that they can be advocates for positive change.
Through her involvement as a volunteer, Atiu has played a meaningful role in helping young people identify their ideas, vision for their communities and discover their unique leadership style and capacity.
Category finalists
Daniel Jesudason
Meg O’Leary-Fletcher
Max Tavella
Amy Wallace
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
APY Lands Shelter Project - The Rotary Club of Onkaparinga
Through the APY Lands Shelter Project, the Rotary Club of Onkaparinga designed and constructed a number of purpose-built roadside shelters with an accompanying water tank, wind protection and table setting which are placed adjacent to roadsides in strategic locations.
With the APY Lands covering over 103,000 square kilometres, this very remote part of South Australia poses significant issues for the indigenous people when travelling between communities.
Having a designated, known place to rest or to seek emergency shelter, to have access to shade, wind break and water is a vital component of keeping people safe in these remote areas.
Category finalists
ARC Learner Driver Mentor Program (LDMP) - Australian Red Cross
Share the Dignity SA Volunteer Program - Share the Dignity SA
The Wheelchair Restoration Project (The Wheelies)
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Manju Shelke - Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association
Each year the Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association has provided an average of 97,000 hours of community service to patients and families across the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Modbury Hospital, James Nash House and Northgate.
Manju Shelke has made a huge impact as Volunteer Coordinator. Her review of the program helped to identify opportunities where volunteers could better support the needs of the Health System.
Manju collaboratively developed the greatly appreciated 'Comfort Care Program', where volunteers can cuddle, read, sing, play or just sit with infants or children to provide support when hospital staff are occupied performing clinical tasks.
She also revived and revitalised the much-valued Palliative Care Biography program at the Modbury Hospital, which enables patients in Palliative Care to share and record their life story as they near the end of life.
Category finalists
Nicole Bradtke
Dr Robyn Molsher
The Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Beyond Bank Australia
Beyond Bank is one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks with branches and offices across Australia.
It partners with more than 5000 community organisations around the nation to create and return value for its customers and communities and, through this, change lives.
Beyond Bank is a huge supporter of volunteering, facilitating corporate volunteering programs and providing staff with 2 fully paid volunteer leave days a year — with its SA team volunteering for nearly 740 hours in 2023.
Category finalists
Detmold Group
Freightmaster Semi Trailers Pty Ltd
Perk Accountants and Wealth Advisors
The Yoghurt Shop