VESPIIA Awards for Excellence
2026
Winners
3 September 2026 · Perth
Congratulations to the 2026 VESPIIA Awards for Excellence winners — recognised by their peers for outstanding contribution across the veterans, emergency services and police industries.
Award recipients
Congratulations to all 2026 winners
01
🏆
Di Ryder OAM
Indigenous veteran and elder
Volunteer of the Year
02
🏆
Wesley Woulleman
APOD
Staffer of the Year
03
🏆
Peter Romanis
Victoria Police / University of Tasmania
Academic of the Year
04
🏆
PS Steve Wickham
DFES
Service Chaplain of the Year
05
🏆
Defence Kidz
Organisation of the Year
06
🏆
Australian Warfighters Coffee
Supplier of the Year
07
🏆
Defence Kidz × SA Corrections / DVA / Courts Administration Authority
Best Strategic Partnership
08
🏆
Port Adelaide FC ADF Veterans Program
Power Community Limited
Transition Program of the Year
09
🏆
Sir Valston Hancock House
RAAFA
Social Program of the Year
10
🏆
WA Indigenous Commemorative Service
Di Ryder OAM
Impact on a Shoestring
11
🏆
Walk of the Unknown Veteran
Advocates Online & Eyes Front
Impact Through Events
12
🏆
SA Veterans Court
Defence Kidz & SA Corrections
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program of the Year
13
🏆
Defence Innovation Morning Muster
Impact Through Creativity
Ministers Award
⭐
Peter Heeney
Ministers Award — Individual
Ministers Award
⭐
PTSD Resurrected
Ministers Award — Team
Congratulations to all 2026 winners and nominees
The VESPIIA Awards for Excellence exist to recognise the people and organisations doing the work — often without enough recognition, always with genuine commitment. Thank you to everyone who nominated, voted, and joined us on the night.