Nominations open for NAB Volunteer Awards worth $364,000
[3 April 2006 | National Australia Bank and Volunteering Australia]
Nominations are now open for the 2006 National Australia Bank (NAB) Volunteer Awards, the community service and volunteer awards program that recognises the efforts of over 40% of Australians who are volunteers.
Now in its ninth year, the Awards are conducted in association with Volunteering Australia. Volunteer groups will share in $364,000 in awards from NAB, with state and national winners chosen across seven categories.
NAB Volunteer Awards Ambassador Jason McCartney said this year's theme of 'one good deed deserves another' appropriately described the sentiment behind the Awards program.
"The NAB Volunteer Awards recognise the vital work done by volunteer groups throughout Australia, work that is crucial to the success of any community initiative.
"I'm pleased to be associated with a program that promotes, encourages and develops the role of volunteers in our community," Mr McCartney said.
Sha Cordingley, CEO of Volunteering Australia, highlighted the value of volunteers and volunteer organisations to our community.
"Volunteers play a critical role in the social, cultural and economic development of our community. They are integral to the success of the work of over 700,000 not-for-profit organisations around Australia," she said.
"Volunteers are involved in an infinite number of ways across all the Awards categories. The work they do is both vital and essential to our society."
Ms Cordingley said that best practice in volunteering – ensuring that organisations involving volunteers are supporting volunteers effectively – was again the key criteria for the Awards.
"These Awards recognise that the value of a positive volunteering experience is crucial to the overall success of any community initiative. By rewarding best practice, these Awards are helping all not-for-profit organisations establish and improve their own volunteer programs," Ms Cordingley said.
This year, 49 winners will share in the $364,000 prize money. One winner is chosen in every state and the combined territories in each of the following categories: Art and Culture; Community Service and Development; Education and Youth Development; Emergency and Safety; Environment and Wildlife; Health and Wellbeing; and Tourism, Sport and Recreation. An overall national winner is selected for each category.
The Awards are judged independent of NAB by Volunteering Australia and 21 recognised community leaders.
Richard Peters, NAB's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Australia, said NAB was proud to have seen NAB Volunteer Awards develop into Australia's leading awards program that recognises volunteers.
"The volunteering movement in Australia continues to grow; in 1995 some 24% of Australia's adult population was involved in volunteering, by 2004 that had grown to more than 41%.
"We encourage any eligible community organisation to nominate for the awards," he said.
Nominations
To nominate your community group or find out more about the Awards and eligibility criteria visit any National Australia Bank branch, call the NAB Volunteer Awards Helpdesk on 1800 807 121 or visit www.national.com.au/community or download the
NAB Volunteer Awards Nomination Booklet which contains information regarding the Awards with the Nomination Form at the rear of the booklet.
Nominate your organisation today - nominations close Wednesday, 28 June.
FAQs
If you have any questions about the NAB Volunteer Awards download the Frequently Asked Questions (MS Word).For further information or media interviews please contact:
Richard Peters
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Australia
National Australia Bank
Tel: (02) 9237 9827
Mob: 0438 582 919
Irena Bukhshtaber
National Communications Manager
Volunteering Australia
Tel: (03) 9820 4100
Mob: 0412 424 523