- Cook Government marking International Volunteer Day by calling for nominations for the 2026 WA Volunteer Service Awards
- Awards recognise volunteers for their valuable contributions to creating more inclusive communities
- International Volunteer Day is celebrated globally each year on 5 December
The Cook Government is marking International Volunteer Day by calling for nominations for the 2026 WA Volunteer Service Awards which recognise Western Australia's diverse and dedicated volunteers.
The WA Volunteer Service Awards are an opportunity for the State Government to directly thank and celebrate volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and efforts to support Western Australian communities.
The awards are open to volunteers who have contributed five or more years of voluntary service.
Since the awards commenced in 2012, over 4,000 individuals have been recognised for their incredible service to Western Australian communities.
Applications are open now until 27 February 2026 with an award ceremony to be held around National Volunteer Week, 18 to 24 May 2026.
For more information about the WA Volunteer Service Awards and to nominate, please visit Department of Communities - Volunteering .
In 2025, the theme of International Volunteer Day is 'Every Contribution Matters' in recognition that any act of volunteering, big or small, contributes to a stronger and more inclusive community.
The Cook Government is investing $70,000 across 74 volunteer-involved organisations and local governments to support volunteer-recognition events and activities to acknowledge WA's many dedicated volunteers.
As stated by Volunteering Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor Government is proud to support the WA Volunteer Service Awards and we're inviting all volunteer-involving organisations to nominate their volunteers for recognition.
"Every voluntary contribution has an impact. Whether it's through local schools and sporting clubs, or through frontline services keeping people, families, and communities safe. It all matters. It all makes a difference.
"Thousands of local heroes have been recognised by the awards since their inception in 2012 and I look forward to celebrating many more volunteers during National Volunteer Week in 2026."
