The search begins for Geelong’s community heroes.
Volunteers are all around our local community. Passionate people who dedicate their time and energy to help make Geelong a better place, often without recognition or reward.
You’ll find them in grassroots sporting clubs and cultural associations, support groups and diverse minority associations, championing a range of causes from gender equality, equality for LGBTQIA+ and First Nations people to simply helping kids play sports.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
After a two-year hiatus, Viva Energy’s volunteer recognition program is back to celebrate these amazing unsung heroes.
Now known as the Viva Energy Community Legends Awards, the program looks to discover and recognise local heroes who offer their time, expertise and passion to help others in the Geelong region.
The awards have been expanded to include all types of volunteers in structured community groups ranging from grassroots sporting clubs to cultural associations, support groups and representatives of diverse minority associations.
This year, with an overall prize pool of over $75,000, the award categories include Community Legend of the Year, the Rising Star Award (ages 16-26), the People’s Choice Award and 10 Community Legend Finalists with winners, finalists and their respective community groups and organisations receiving a share of the prize money.
Dale Cooper, Viva Energy’s Executive General Manager of the Geelong Refinery, said the program aligns with the company’s commitment to give back to the community.
“Viva Energy’s volunteer recognition program began in 2017, originally known as the Club Legends Award and focused on volunteers at local sporting clubs,” Dale said.
“After a couple of years’ break due to COVID, we decided to relaunch the program this year in an expanded format that captures the efforts of a broader range of the great volunteers who do so much for the local community and deserve more recognition. We believe it is important to have a platform to recognise the efforts of these selfless people who do so much for others and contribute to Geelong’s wonderful community.”
Extend a helping hand in the Geelong and Surfcoast Region for National Volunteer Week
The 2022 Community Legends Ambassador and former Geelong Cats champion, Cameron Ling, said his life has been made better by the efforts of volunteers.
“I’ve spent my life in Geelong and I’ve seen the incredible impact these volunteers can have on young lives. I particularly saw it in junior sport, where these selfless people were working to create a terrific, safe and supportive environment,” Cameron said.
“It might be hard to recognise it when you are a kid, but as a parent, now I can see the positive impact it had on my upbringing. These people are unsung heroes and part of what makes Geelong such a great place to live – it is about time we recognise their efforts, not just in sport but in every arena where people work for the good of the greater community.”
Nominations are now open, with entries closing on Sunday 14 August. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will commence on Monday 29 August via the dedicated facebook page. Winners will be announced at an exclusive Awards ceremony on Tuesday 4 October at GMHBA Stadium.
To submit your entry, nominate a Community Legend or for further information, head here.
