Each year we run an awards program to recognise and celebrate the valuable work of our houses on a state-wide level.

Nominations for the 2021 NHVic Awards are now open until 6pm, Friday 16 April 2021. The winning organisations will be announced at our Sector Luncheon on 18 May in celebration of Neighbourhood House Week, and will receive a trophy and $500 to assist them in continuing their important work.

2021 categories

This year there are five categories which correlate with several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Reducing Inequalities Award

This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which address inequalities experienced by different groups within our community. This may include:

• Refugees and migrants
• LGBTIQ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer)
• People with disability or long term impairment, and their carers
• People experiencing poverty and/or homelessness
• People experiencing long term unemployment
• People with mental health issues
• Marginalised young people
  
  

Climate Action Award

This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which address the climate emergency on a local level. This may include projects relating to:

• Waste management
• Recycling and repurposing
• Tree and vegetation regeneration
• Sustainable living and workplaces
• Clean water and sanitation
• Renewable energy
• Awareness raising on climate change
  
  

Community Resilience Award

This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which address immediate or ongoing community emergencies which impact the health and wellbeing of a community. These situations could include:

• natural disasters such as bush fires, drought, floods, heatwaves
• the coronavirus pandemic
• spike in unemployment due to mass employer closures, or economic downturn

Your application might be about:

• a successful response to an immediate emergency
• initiatives which promote awareness and prevention
• support programs for victims of community emergencies
  
  

Fiona Richardson Award for Gender Equity 

This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which deliver one or more of the following:

• promote participation, support and opportunities for girls and woman
• celebrate the diversity of girls and woman
• involve men to break down the barriers that create gender inequities
• support families and/or individuals where domestic violence is occurring

This category is in memory of Fiona Richardson who passed away in 2017. Fiona was the member for Northcote and prior to her death, was a passionate campaigner for gender equity and oversaw the first ever Royal Commission into Family Violence. We feel very privileged that her family has agreed for us to launch this award in her honour.

Social Enterprise Award

This category is for neighbourhood houses which run a social enterprise. Social enterprises are businesses created specifically to address social problems, improve communities, provide people access to employment and training, or help the environment.

Nomination process

Nominations are now open until 6pm, Friday 16 April 2021.

Your nomination forms must be completed and emailed to [email protected] along with:

• high quality photos to be used for promotional purposes
• any documentation, photos, videos, media coverage etc. that would support your application.

Nomination forms:

• Reducing Inequalities (doc)
• Climate Action (doc)
• Community Resilience (doc)
• Gender Equity (doc)
• Social Enterprise (doc)

Your organisation can nominate different projects in more than one category. 

The winners will be presented at our Sector Luncheon on 18 May in celebration of Neighbourhood House Week. 

Previous years

Read up on the winners and finalists from previous years:

• 2020
• 2019