Volunteers celebrated as SA marks National Volunteer Week
South Australia's outstanding volunteers took centre stage at the 2026 SA Volunteer Awards, held at Government House on Monday 18 May — in the heart of National Volunteer Week (18 to 24 May 2026).
Presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, the annual awards honour the exceptional contributions of volunteers across the state. The recipients were selected by an independent judging panel, who assessed nominees on their commitment, service levels and positive impact.
The 2026 award recipients
Keith Clark received the Joy Noble Medal for more than four decades of dedicated service to his community. For more than 11 years, Keith has supported thousands of vulnerable people as a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, and has also volunteered with the Aldgate Country Fire Service for 30 years.
16-year-old Haylie Staunton received the Young Volunteer Award for her outstanding advocacy for young people in regional Australia, including people with disability.
This year's awards recognised the following individuals, community groups and organisations:
- The Joy Noble Medal — Keith Clark
- The Young Volunteer Award — Haylie Staunton
- 'The Andamooka' Community Project Award — Camden's Food and Wellbeing Outreach Program
- The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award — Sandi Elliot: In Home Hospice Care
- The Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility — Gallagher Bassett
Read more about this year's recipients
About the SA Volunteer Awards
The State Government established the SA Volunteer Awards in 2005. They are proudly presented by Volunteering SA&NT with support from the Department of Human Services.
Supporting a strong volunteering future
DHS proudly supports this vital sector through coordinating implementation of the SA Volunteering Strategy 2021–2027 and the associated Action Plan 2025–2027. Shaped by sector feedback, the SA Volunteering Strategy provides a clear roadmap for a strong and sustainable volunteering sector in South Australia.
A big year for volunteering
This year's National Volunteer Week theme — Your Year to Volunteer — is an invitation to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in a way that works for you. South Australia's near-million strong volunteer community is a powerful reminder of what that looks like in practice.
The momentum continues beyond the week. In June, Adelaide will host the 2026 National Volunteer Conference (16 to 18 June) at the National Wine Centre, co-hosted by Volunteering Australia and Volunteering SA&NT.
On the world stage, the United Nations has declared 2026 as International Volunteer Year — a fitting backdrop for a state that leads by example.