The Glenorchy community’s outstanding volunteers, advocates and local leaders have been recognised at the 2026 Community and Volunteer Awards, celebrating the people who help make the city a stronger, more connected and inclusive place to live.
The annual awards recognise residents who go above and beyond to support others, foster community spirit and create opportunities for people to connect and thrive.
This year’s ceremony highlighted achievements across four major categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Local Hero, alongside recognition for dozens of dedicated volunteers who continue to make a lasting contribution to Glenorchy.
Mayor Sue Hickey said the awards were an important opportunity to acknowledge the people whose efforts often happen quietly behind the scenes but have a significant impact on the wider community.
“The Community and Volunteer Awards offer us an opportunity to recognise our city’s high achievers, community advocates and volunteers,” Mayor Hickey said.
“All of our nominees, through their hard work and commitment, are helping to make our community the best it can possibly be by bringing people together, building a sense of community, and providing opportunities for people to connect with others.”
The awards come ahead of National Volunteer Week, which begins next week and celebrates the vital role volunteers play in communities across Australia.
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, “Your Year to Volunteer”, highlights the importance of volunteering in building strong and inclusive communities.
Glenorchy is home to around 6,000 volunteers who contribute across sporting clubs, schools, emergency services, environmental groups, arts organisations and community services.
“Whether you’re drawn to environmental causes, community outreach, education or countless other opportunities, there is a place in Glenorchy where your unique skills and interests can flourish and give back to the community,” Mayor Hickey said.
The Mayor also thanked Alderman Stuart Slade and Deputy Mayor Russell Yaxley for their involvement in the working committee that helped organise this year’s awards ceremony.
Major Award Winners
- Citizen of the Year: Anthony Edler
- Young Citizen of the Year: Neil Richardson
- Senior Citizen of the Year: Jeff Bronstein
- Local Hero Awards: Ben Wilson and Grace Chia
Volunteer Award Recipients
Volunteer Award recipients recognised during the ceremony included Agnes Frith, Anne Lowe, Areej Fatima, Bao Nguyen, Ben Wilson, Bill Harvey, Corey Suhr, Danny Pulbrook, Grace Chia, Grant McKellar, Irene Woolley, James Campbell, Jan Southorn, Jess Worcester, Kathleen Triffitt, Maria Jakob, Martin Watkins, Navin Nepal, Neil Richardson, Nicki Kastner, Pam Harvey, Peta Skipworth, Rod Palethorpe, Ron Wilds, Sandra Fehre, Saroja Adhikari, Tanya Scharaschkin, the Goodwood Community Centre Volunteers and Friends of Glenorchy Pool.
The awards ceremony celebrated not only the achievements of individual recipients, but also the collective spirit of volunteerism that continues to strengthen Glenorchy and enrich the lives of residents across the municipality.
