NHVic Awards
Each year we run the NHVic Awards program to recognise and celebrate the valuable work of Neighbourhood Houses on a state-wide level.
The six categories are each linked to several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to demonstrate the impact of local action in meeting the aims of the global goals.
Each winner receives a framed certificate in recognition their important work.
Award Nominations
The award categories are:
When submitting this application:
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Please attach at least one high quality photo to be used for promotional purposes
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Any documentation, photos, videos, media coverage etc. that would support your application.
Applications close 11:59pm on Thursday 30 April, 2026. The finalists will be announced during Neighbourhood House Week, 11-17 May 2026.
Please note: By submitting the media (photo, video etc.), you are permitting Neighbourhood Houses Victoria to use the image for promotional purposes. If this image is not fit for promoting the awards or wider sector, please state so explicitly in your application.
Each organisation can apply once per category, but each application must be for a unique project, i.e. you cannot submit the same project under two different categories.
Award Categories
Good Health & Well-Being Award
This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which address the physical or mental health and wellbeing of community members including staff and volunteers.
This may include:
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initiatives to improve social connection and wellbeing
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Physical activity programs
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Mental health support
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Health check ups
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Disability services
Reducing Inequalities Award
This category is for projects, programs or initiatives which address inequalities experienced by different groups within our community.
This may include:
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Refugees and migrants
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LGBTIQ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer)
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People with disability or long term impairment, and their carers
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People experiencing poverty and/or homelessness
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People experiencing long term unemployment
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People with mental health issues
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Marginalised young people
Community Resilience Award
‘Community resilience’ describes how a community responds to an adverse situation. These situations could include:
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natural disasters such as bush fires, floods, heatwaves
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the coronavirus pandemic
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spike in unemployment due to factory or mass employer closures
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any other events that could impact the health and wellbeing of a community
Your application might be about:
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a successful response to an immediate emergency
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initiatives which promote awareness and prevention
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support programs for victims of community emergencies
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:
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Waste management
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Recycling and repurposing
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Tree and vegetation regeneration
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Sustainable living and workplaces
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Clean water and sanitation
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Renewable energy
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Awareness raising on climate change
Fiona Richardson Award for Gender Equity
This category is for projects which deliver one or more of the following:
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promote participation, support and opportunities for girls and woman
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celebrate the diversity of girls and woman
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involve men to break down the barriers that create gender inequities
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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, and/or help the environment.
It does not matter when your social enterprise began (although it must have been running for at least one year at time of submitting the application), as long as it is currently operational and continuing to achieve meaningful outcomes for your community.