Awards for Excellence 2026 — VESPIIA

VESPIIA Awards for Excellence

Awards for
Excellence

2026

Recognising best practice, strong outcomes, and outstanding contribution across the veterans, emergency services, and police support sector.

Submit a nomination Download Awards Kit View 2025 winners

Nominations

How nominations work

Nominations are open from 4 May 2026. Submit online — you'll be asked for a written nomination and supporting material relevant to your category.

Choose your category

Review the Awards Kit to find the category that best fits the nomination. Criteria and weighting are set out for each.

Prepare your materials

Gather a short written nomination, evidence of outcomes, a high-res logo, and images suitable for publication.

Get approval

Submissions must be approved by your Board Chair, CEO, or Head of Department before you submit.

Submit before closing

Complete the online form and upload supporting materials before the published closing date. No late entries accepted.

Tip: Start a draft folder now. Gathering logos, images, and supporting materials early makes the submission process straightforward.

Award categories

Seventeen categories across individual achievement, organisational and team excellence, and programs delivered to the community. Full criteria are in the Awards Kit.

Individual

Individual awards

Volunteer of the Year
Staffer of the Year
Academic of the Year
Student of the Year
Service Chaplain of the Year

Organisation & Team

Organisation and team

Best Strategic Partnership
Supplier Team of the Year
Allied Team of the Year
Organisation of the Year
New Kid on the Block

Program & Research

Program and research

Transition Program of the Year
Social Program of the Year
Volunteer Program of the Year
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program of the Year
Impact on a Shoestring
Impact Through Events
Research Piece of the Year

Ready to nominate?

Nominations for the 2026 Awards for Excellence are open. Review the criteria in the Awards Kit, then submit your nomination using the online form.

Submit a nomination Awards Kit

The event

Awards cocktail evening

Finalists and winners are announced at a cocktail evening on 26 August, held alongside the Future Frontlines 2026 Conference in Adelaide.

Join us on the night

The Awards Cocktail Evening brings together professionals, leaders, and supporters from across the sector to celebrate finalists and announce winners across all 17 categories. Tickets are available separately — whether you're attending the conference or joining us just for the evening.

Awards evening tickets — book now Conference registration — book now

Date Tuesday 26 August 2026

Venue National Wine Centre of Australia Cnr Botanic & Hackney Roads, Adelaide SA

Dress code Cocktail attire

Tickets $40 members · $80 non-members Conference delegates — included in registration

Sponsorship

Sponsor the Awards for Excellence

Awards sponsorship puts your organisation at the centre of the sector's premier recognition evening — with naming rights, presentation opportunities and direct access to 200 delegates from across veterans, emergency services and police industries. All conference sponsorship packages include 12 months of VESPIIA membership.

Sponsorship offerings may be tailored to the needs of each partner. The above represents the minimum inclusions at each tier.
To discuss a package, contact VESPIIA or email events@vespiia.org.

Awards Kit

The Awards Kit contains full criteria, scoring weightings, eligibility requirements, and guidance on preparing a strong nomination for each category.

Download Awards Kit

Questions or sponsorship

If you have questions about categories, eligibility, the awards evening, or sponsorship opportunities, contact the VESPIIA team.

events@vespiia.org

Awards forExcellence