VolunteeringACT hosted the 2025 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region at the National Library of Australia on Wednesday 3 December, marking International Volunteer Day and celebrating the outstanding contributions of volunteers across the region.
Trish Carling was awarded the Volunteer of the Year for her extensive and significant contributions to the Canberra community over 26 years through her active volunteering at Palliative Care ACT.
Since April 1996, Trish has consistently volunteered at Clare Holland House (the Hospice). Since December 2022, she has also supported the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Clinic and Support Group.
Trish provides meals and companionship to Hospice patients and their families. She also assists with laundry, flower arrangements, and supports the medical team. In the MND Support Group, Trish facilitates compassionate discussions for terminally ill members and collaborates with healthcare professionals to enhance the experience for participants and their families. Additionally, as a member of the Palliative Care ACT Voluntary Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2017, she advocated for volunteers’ needs and contributed to meetings and communications.
We are proud to acknowledge Trish as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. She embodies the spirit of community-mindedness, creating vital connections, reducing isolation, and being respectful that actively demonstrates everyone matters.
VolunteeringACT CEO Jean Giese said, “The Awards celebrated the extraordinary achievements of volunteers in the Canberra Region. The dedication of our local volunteers ensures that essential services thrive and the whole community is grateful for the contributions of every volunteer. We extend heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and highly commended recipients of the 2025 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region. Canberra is a better place because of each of you.”
Another special accolade, the 2025 Canberra’s Choice Award, determined by public voting and sponsored by Newstime Media (Canberra Weekly & Canberra Daily), was presented to Jaye Grieshaber.
Jaye volunteers as a photographer within the ACT rugby community. Through her storytelling, mentorship, and sponsorship of youth programs, Jaye plays an essential role in the growth and spirit of rugby in the ACT.
The award winners in all categories are listed below:
Volunteer of the Year
– WINNER: Trish Carling (Palliative Care ACT)
Volunteer Team of the Year
– WINNER: ParkCare VisitorAssist Mentoring Team
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Volunteer Services Bus Drivers – Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Domestic Animal Services Volunteer Team
Volunteer Leadership Award
– WINNER: Amanda Lillie (Canberra Health Services)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Frankie Taylor (Seahorse Playgroup)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Wendy Bullock (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
Inclusion Award
– WINNNER: Kent Brown (Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Club Kalina – Community Home Australia
First Nations Volunteer of the Year
– WINNER: Amy Minchin (Dream Danz Studios)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Canberra and District NAIDOC Aboriginal Corporation – Board of Directors
Senior Volunteer of the Year
– WINNER: Dianne Brookes (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
– WINNER: Jan Elliott (Warrigal Stirling)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kathryn McQuarrie (Warrigal Hughes)
Young Volunteer of the Year
– WINNER: Ananya Banerjee (Fearless Women, Sakhi (Inc), Warrigal Aged Care)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amy Treloar (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Annamiek van Steensel (What Were You Wearing)
Community Support Award
– WINNER: Kids in Care ACT
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mums Exercise Group Australia – Canberra Branch
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: St John’s Care Volunteer Team
Canberra’s Choice Award
– WINNER: Jaye Grieshaber (ACT and NSW Rugby Union)
We thank all our nominators, award partners, and sponsors for their generous support in our endeavour to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of our volunteers and volunteering teams in the Canberra Region.
Our 2025 award sponsors, partners and supporters included BlueArc IT Solutions, Burbirra Group, Canberra Labor Club Group, Community Bank Canberra and Region, Moray & Agnew Lawyers, Newstime Media, Synergy Law, and Volunteering Australia.
