Celebrating Victoria's health volunteers

The Andrews Labor Government is urging Victorians to honour the hard-working and dedicated health volunteers who enrich patients’ lives through their compassion and generosity.

On Tuesday 5 February 2019, Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced nominations were open for the prestigious 2019 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards - now in their eleventh year.

The awards celebrate the achievements of our tireless volunteers and their major contribution to patients in Victoria’s public healthcare system.

Each and every day, volunteers in health make a huge difference spending time with patients at their bedside, helping people live healthier lives or using their passion and experience to improve care for others.

Nominees can include individuals, teams or groups who volunteer across all areas of healthcare such as hospitals, ambulance services, community health, mental health and aged care.

This year’s awards will recognise volunteering excellence across six categories:

Outstanding achievement by a young volunteer; Outstanding lifetime achievement; Outstanding achievement by a volunteer: Better Care Victoria innovation award; Outstanding achievement by a volunteer: Supporting diversity; Outstanding achievement by a volunteer: Improving public healthcare; and Outstanding achievement by a volunteer: Improving the patient experience.

In addition, the Victorian Health Volunteers Honour Roll recognises volunteers who have given 50 years of service. Everyone who has contributed 50 years or more volunteering in public healthcare is eligible.

Nominations are now open and will close on Tuesday, 5 March. For more information or to nominate a volunteer visit www.health.vic.gov.au/volunteerawards. The awards will be presented in a special ceremony in May.

“Volunteers are the heart and soul of our health system. These everyday heroes go over and above the call of duty to support patients and help change lives for the better,” said the Hon Jenny Mikakos MLC, Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services.

“We are immensely proud our health volunteers. Whether it’s organising fundraising activities or lending a land with personal care, each day they make a real difference to the most vulnerable when they need it most.”

“I encourage everyone to nominate a selfless health volunteer who deserves recognition for giving back to the community. This is the perfect way show our gratitude and say thanks,” said Minister Mikakos.