Winners of the 2025 South Australian Volunteer Awards
Click the ⓘ to learn more about each award recipient
The Joy Noble Medal
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
The Young Volunteer Award
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
The Joy Noble Medal
Winner – Danica Gates – Beacon of Hope, Tumby Bay and Districts Suicide Prevention Network
Following the devastating loss of her brother in 2016, Danica has devoted the past eight years to suicide prevention in her rural community of Tumby Bay and Districts. As founding Chairperson of the Beacon of Hope Suicide Prevention Network, she’s worked tirelessly to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower others through education and connection.
Despite no prior committee experience, Danica established the Suicide Prevention Network from the ground up, facilitated training, organised events, and advocated for safe conversations informed by lived experience. Danica co-wrote and won a SPARK Grant from the Fay Fuller Foundation to explore sustainable preventative practices in mental wellbeing in Tumby Bay and Districts. She’s also spoken at state and national conferences, completed leadership training, and received the 2022 Rowan Ramsay Community Award.
Through her efforts, individuals, families, schools, and the broader community have gained better access to resources, services, and understanding.
Danica’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and advocacy has empowered the community to be more aware, informed and compassionate of risk factors and signs of suicide and to learn to better support one another.
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Winner – Virtual School Australia
Virtual School Australia, or VSA, is an award-winning platform that’s been delivering empathy-driven education since 2016. Powered by dedicated volunteers, VSA combines academic excellence with social impact—locally and globally.
VSA volunteers champion education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics by developing and delivering engaging, hands-on programs in a safe, nurturing environment, particularly for refugee and low-income students.
A core focus of VSA’s volunteer programs includes free online education for marginalised and vulnerable learners. During the pandemic, VSA quickly responded with free online learning to support isolated students around the world—a contribution that earned them the 2021 Blackboard Award for Teaching and Learning.
VSA’s volunteers also support major community initiatives—from street plays addressing gender-based violence, to mentoring young writers through the Elaine Hobson Memorial Literary Festival. VSA events like the Global Empathy Conference continue to foster deep connection and global dialogue.
At the heart of everything VSA does are its passionate volunteers committed to empowering others through empathy, creativity, compassion, and community engagement.
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
Winner – Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens Volunteers – Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium
Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens transformed Adelaide Botanic Gardens into an open-air art exhibition, welcoming over one million visitors in its first six months. Featuring the glasswork of Dale Chihuly, the project has significantly boosted South Australia’s tourism economy, with a third of visitors travelling from interstate or overseas.
Central to its success was the contribution of over 250 volunteers, who collectively dedicated more than 10,000 hours to the exhibition. Their efforts spanned a variety of roles—from leading multilingual tours and assisting school groups, to enhancing accessibility and supporting the horticultural team with Chihuly-inspired displays.
New leadership structures, digital systems, and peer mentoring emerged, laying the foundation for a revitalised and inclusive volunteering program at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium. Their contribution not only supported the Gardens during its busiest period but also built lasting capacity, strengthened community ties, and inspired countless visitors to reconnect with nature.
This groundbreaking project has set a new benchmark for volunteer involvement in large-scale cultural experiences in South Australia.
The Young Volunteer Award
Winner – Lucy Stevens – the Smith Family
Lucy Stevens has dedicated over a decade to volunteer service. A passionate advocate for youth development, Indigenous reconciliation, and social justice, Lucy has led initiatives spanning arts, education, and humanitarian causes.
From singing with the Adelaide University Conservatorium Chorale to mentoring youth through Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards program and Camp Kickstart, her leadership inspires and empowers.
Lucy’s commitment extends internationally—she raised funds for World Vision, travelled to Africa to study sustainable development, and led a Global 6k Walk for Water, raising $1,500 for clean water access. She also helped establish a long-running Bread Tags for Wheelchairs initiative at her former school.
As a non-Indigenous Reconciliation Ambassador, she partnered with Kaurna Elders to lead student groups and fundraisers and contributed to her school’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Her volunteer placements with the Magdalene Centre, Welcome Centre, and Salvation Army highlight her compassion for marginalised communities. Now working with The Smith Family’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, Lucy continues to lead with a deep understanding of the importance of connecting community..
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Winner – Ryan Sims – Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium
Prior to Chihuly in the Botanic Garden, the Botanic Garden and State Herbarium already hosted an active volunteer program. However, the exhibition’s scale required a significant expansion in both volunteer numbers and roles. Volunteer Coordinator Ryan Sims used this opportunity to introduce a more inclusive, flexible model—welcoming over 250 volunteers into newly created positions, while continuing to support existing teams in horticulture, education, science, and cultural collections.
Under Ryan’s leadership, volunteers were matched to roles that aligned with their skills and interests. He remained closely connected with the team, mentoring newcomers and championing professional development. He also helped implement a new volunteer management system, empowering a small group of digital champions to assist in its rollout.
Ryan’s values—respect, diversity, and empowerment—have fostered a committed, happy, and diverse volunteer community. Their contributions have enhanced the visitor experience, supported the local economy, and deepened community engagement with green spaces. Chihuly’s success owes much to Ryan’s visionary leadership and the dedication of his volunteer team.
The Joy Noble Medal
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
The Young Volunteer Award
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
The Joy Noble Medal
Winner – Danica Gates – Beacon of Hope, Tumby Bay and Districts Suicide Prevention Network
Following the devastating loss of her brother in 2016, Danica has devoted the past eight years to suicide prevention in her rural community of Tumby Bay and Districts. As founding Chairperson of the Beacon of Hope Suicide Prevention Network, she’s worked tirelessly to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower others through education and connection.
Despite no prior committee experience, Danica established the Suicide Prevention Network from the ground up, facilitated training, organised events, and advocated for safe conversations informed by lived experience. Danica co-wrote and won a SPARK Grant from the Fay Fuller Foundation to explore sustainable preventative practices in mental wellbeing in Tumby Bay and Districts. She’s also spoken at state and national conferences, completed leadership training, and received the 2022 Rowan Ramsay Community Award.
Through her efforts, individuals, families, schools, and the broader community have gained better access to resources, services, and understanding.
Danica’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and advocacy has empowered the community to be more aware, informed and compassionate of risk factors and signs of suicide and to learn to better support one another.
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Winner – Virtual School Australia
Virtual School Australia, or VSA, is an award-winning platform that’s been delivering empathy-driven education since 2016. Powered by dedicated volunteers, VSA combines academic excellence with social impact—locally and globally.
VSA volunteers champion education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics by developing and delivering engaging, hands-on programs in a safe, nurturing environment, particularly for refugee and low-income students.
A core focus of VSA’s volunteer programs includes free online education for marginalised and vulnerable learners. During the pandemic, VSA quickly responded with free online learning to support isolated students around the world—a contribution that earned them the 2021 Blackboard Award for Teaching and Learning.
VSA’s volunteers also support major community initiatives—from street plays addressing gender-based violence, to mentoring young writers through the Elaine Hobson Memorial Literary Festival. VSA events like the Global Empathy Conference continue to foster deep connection and global dialogue.
At the heart of everything VSA does are its passionate volunteers committed to empowering others through empathy, creativity, compassion, and community engagement.
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
Winner – Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens Volunteers – Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium
Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens transformed Adelaide Botanic Gardens into an open-air art exhibition, welcoming over one million visitors in its first six months. Featuring the glasswork of Dale Chihuly, the project has significantly boosted South Australia’s tourism economy, with a third of visitors travelling from interstate or overseas.
Central to its success was the contribution of over 250 volunteers, who collectively dedicated more than 10,000 hours to the exhibition. Their efforts spanned a variety of roles—from leading multilingual tours and assisting school groups, to enhancing accessibility and supporting the horticultural team with Chihuly-inspired displays.
New leadership structures, digital systems, and peer mentoring emerged, laying the foundation for a revitalised and inclusive volunteering program at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium. Their contribution not only supported the Gardens during its busiest period but also built lasting capacity, strengthened community ties, and inspired countless visitors to reconnect with nature.
This groundbreaking project has set a new benchmark for volunteer involvement in large-scale cultural experiences in South Australia.
The Young Volunteer Award
Winner – Lucy Stevens – the Smith Family
Lucy Stevens has dedicated over a decade to volunteer service. A passionate advocate for youth development, Indigenous reconciliation, and social justice, Lucy has led initiatives spanning arts, education, and humanitarian causes.
From singing with the Adelaide University Conservatorium Chorale to mentoring youth through Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards program and Camp Kickstart, her leadership inspires and empowers.
Lucy’s commitment extends internationally—she raised funds for World Vision, travelled to Africa to study sustainable development, and led a Global 6k Walk for Water, raising $1,500 for clean water access. She also helped establish a long-running Bread Tags for Wheelchairs initiative at her former school.
As a non-Indigenous Reconciliation Ambassador, she partnered with Kaurna Elders to lead student groups and fundraisers and contributed to her school’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Her volunteer placements with the Magdalene Centre, Welcome Centre, and Salvation Army highlight her compassion for marginalised communities. Now working with The Smith Family’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, Lucy continues to lead with a deep understanding of the importance of connecting community..
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Winner – Ryan Sims – Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium
Prior to Chihuly in the Botanic Garden, the Botanic Garden and State Herbarium already hosted an active volunteer program. However, the exhibition’s scale required a significant expansion in both volunteer numbers and roles. Volunteer Coordinator Ryan Sims used this opportunity to introduce a more inclusive, flexible model—welcoming over 250 volunteers into newly created positions, while continuing to support existing teams in horticulture, education, science, and cultural collections.
Under Ryan’s leadership, volunteers were matched to roles that aligned with their skills and interests. He remained closely connected with the team, mentoring newcomers and championing professional development. He also helped implement a new volunteer management system, empowering a small group of digital champions to assist in its rollout.
Ryan’s values—respect, diversity, and empowerment—have fostered a committed, happy, and diverse volunteer community. Their contributions have enhanced the visitor experience, supported the local economy, and deepened community engagement with green spaces. Chihuly’s success owes much to Ryan’s visionary leadership and the dedication of his volunteer team.
The 2025 Volunteer Awards took place on Thursday 22 May 2025 at the National Wine Centre of Australia, Adelaide.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of formally recognising and celebrating the incredible volunteers that make our communities stronger and kinder every day.
Highlights from the 2025 Awards
Winners of the 2024 South Australian Volunteer Awards
The Joy Noble Medal
The Young Volunteer Award
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
The Joy Noble Medal
Winner – Dulcie Boag (*Image: Bernadette Boag accepting award on behalf of her mum Dulcie)
Dulcie Boag has been an integral part of Hutt St Centre for over 44 years, contributing her time, skills, and compassion to almost all aspects of the organisation. Dulcie has helped the Hutt St Centre through their Op Shop, front reception, sorting donations, coordinating fundraising efforts and events, and helping out in their kitchen. Recently, she celebrated her 89th Birthday – which equates to her committing almost half her life to Hutt St Centre!
Throughout her years of service, Dulcie has faced numerous challenges, including changes in the operating environment, fluctuations in funding, and personal hardships. However Dulcie has remained steadfast in her commitment to serving others and her resilience and determination to make a positive impact have enabled her to overcome these challenges and continue her invaluable volunteer work without hesitation.
Through her involvement in various community outreach initiatives, Dulcie has helped to forge connections between Hutt St Centre and the broader community. Her passion for social justice and her commitment to advocating for the marginalised have inspired others to support the organisation’s efforts.
Dulcie’s steadfast presence and compassionate nature have been a source of comfort and support for countless individuals facing homelessness.
The Young Volunteer Award
Winner – Atiu Kuot Madut
Atiu has volunteered with the Australian Refugee Association since 2018 as a Peer Leader in ARA’s Youth Ambassador program. Through her involvement as a volunteer, she has played a meaningful role in helping young people identify their ideas, vision for their communities and discover their unique leadership style and capabilities.
Atiu has volunteered in a range of areas including participating in Youth Parliament program, volunteering at the Fringe Festival, and volunteering with ARA Youth Camps. Through volunteering, Atiu has consistently grown each year in her capacity to compassionately engage young people, helping them to feel welcome and connected.
During her studies at university for a Bachelor of Laws, in 2022 Atiu began volunteering in ARA’s migration team. Since then, she has supported this team in their important work.
During 2023 she volunteered raising awareness about the Referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, particularly in multicultural communities, and more recently has shared her story on video to promote volunteering in multicultural communities. She has also volunteered to speak at various ARA events over the years to inspire other young people of refugee backgrounds.
Atiu’s loyalty and long-term dedication to contributing to ARA’s work alongside young people has been an inspiration to each new group of Youth Ambassadors.
‘The Andamooka’ Community Project Award
Winner – APY Lands Shelter Project
With the APY Lands covering over 103,000 square kilometres this very remote part of South Australia poses significant issues for Indigenous people travelling between communities. Having a designated place to rest or to seek emergency shelter, to have access to shade, wind break and water is a vital component of keeping people safe in these remote areas.
Through the APY Lands Shelter Project, the Rotary Club of Onkaparinga worked with a range of partners to design and construct a number of purpose-built roadside shelters with an accompanying water tank, wind protection and table setting which are placed adjacent to roadsides in strategic locations.
Volunteers from the Onkaparinga Rotary Club travelled from the Adelaide Hills to the APY Lands, some 1400 km, at their own expense, to complete the installation of six shelters in 2022. In March 2024 another two shelters will be constructed, and plans for an additional two shelters are underway.
The APY Shelter Project partnership has forged ongoing relationships that will enhance future joint community projects across the APY Lands.
The Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Winner – Manju Shelke
Manju Shelke started as a Volunteer Coordinator with the Northern Healthcare Volunteer Association in 2016. She made an impact immediately by undertaking a review of all relevant systems and processes to understand volunteering activity, gaps and opportunities. This audit led to the development of a Volunteer Engagement Strategy that would clearly communicate Volunteer Services Goals while setting expectations and boundaries. Manju worked collaboratively with the team on formalising policy that set the foundations for a safe volunteer service within the hospital.
Manju collaboratively developed the ‘Comfort Care Program’, where volunteers can cuddle, read, sing, play or just sit with infants or children to provide support when hospital staff are performing clinical tasks, and revived and revitalised the much-valued Palliative Care Biography program at the Modbury Hospital, which enables patients in Palliative Care to share and record their life story.
Manju continues to provide outstanding leadership and management to the Association Volunteers and an invaluable service to the many stakeholders in the healthcare community within the Northern Suburbs.
The Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
Winner – Beyond Bank SA
Beyond Bank is one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks with branches and offices across Australia. They partner with more than 5000 community organisations around the nation to create and return value for their customers and communities and, through this, change lives.
Beyond Bank Australia, has had a long commitment to volunteering in Australia and over the years has forged major partnerships with Volunteering Australia, and state and territory volunteering peaks including Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering WA and Volunteering ACT.
With support from Volunteering SA&NT, Beyond Bank initiated their Corporate Volunteering Program formally in 2013, that provides all staff with 2 fully paid volunteer leave days per year. In 2023, Bank staff nationally contributed over 1238 hours of formal volunteering support, and in South Australia, staff contributed 98 days of volunteering, or almost 738.3 hours in total.
The bank’s Community Development Division operates the Corporate Volunteering Program, whilst forming crucial partnerships with not for profits (NFPs) here in South Australia and across the country.