Environmental and Sporting associations among Western Australia’s Volunteer of the Year Awards recipients

Western Australians have been honoured for their community impact at the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards ahead of National Volunteer Week running from 19th-25th May with the theme of 'Connecting Communities'.

More than 230 nominations were received for this year's Awards, with 21 finalists shortlisted from a diverse range of sectors including sport, tourism, conservation, emergency services, mental health support and youth mentorship.

WA Volunteering Minister Hannah Beazley congratulated the inspiring winners of the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards for their remarkable contributions to their communities and the State.

Hosted by Volunteering WA, the Awards spotlight Western Australia's thriving volunteer sector and the people within it who generously donate their time and talents to helping others.

The WA Government supported this year's awards with $30,000 in funding through Lotterywest.

Among this year’s award winners are the Care For Hedland Environmental Association who secured the award for Community Volunteer Organisation of the Year and WA All Abilities Football Association who secured the WA Inclusive Volunteering Award.

This year's winners also included a young volunteer who has contributed more than 1,000 operational hours in emergency callouts with St John WA and a tireless advocate who has devoted more than 40 years to LGBTIQA+ community organisation Living Proud.

The 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards winners are:

• WA Excellence in Volunteer Management Award - May Bowden, St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies WA)

• WA Inclusive Volunteering Award - WA All Abilities Football Association

• WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering - Colin Longworth, Living Proud

• WA Young Volunteer of the Year - Bree Del Borrello, St John WA

• Corporate Volunteering Impact Award - Horizon Power

• Community Volunteer Organisation of the Year - Care For Hedland Environmental Association

• RAC WA Volunteer of the Year - Brian Gallop ASM OStJ, St John WA

Volunteering WA Chief Executive Tina Williams noted "Volunteering is a powerful force that brings people together. Volunteering WA is proud to celebrate the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Award recipients, who exemplify the highest standards of service and altruism, proving that every individual has the power to create meaningful change.

"This year's winners are ambassadors for connecting communities, and show us that with passion, dedication and selflessness, any one of us has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of others."

More than 230 organisations across the State will host special events and activities throughout the week to celebrate their volunteers, supported by $355,000 in State Government funding through Lotterywest and administered by Volunteering WA.

For more information on the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards visit awards.volunteeringwa.org.au