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.

01

Choose your category

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

02

Prepare your materials

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

03

Get approval

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

04

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.
Categories

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 — coming soon Conference registration — coming soon
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

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