What we do Awards program 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 five 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 glass trophy and $500 to assist them in continuing their important work, while finalists receive a large framed certificate which they can display proudly at their premises. Nominations for 2022 are now open! Find the application forms at the bottom of this page. 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 Community Resilience Award ‘Community resilience’ describes how a community responds to an adverse situation. These situations could include: natural disasters such as bush fires, floods, heatwaves the coronavirus pandemic spike in unemployment due to factory or mass employer closures any other events that could impact the health and wellbeing of a community 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 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 Fiona Richardson Award for Gender Equity This category is for projects 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, 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. 2022 Nominations Reducing Inequalities Award Application Form Community Resilience Award Application Form Climate Action Award Application Form Gender Equity Award Application Form Social Enterprise Award Application Form Please email your completed form and any other attachments to [email protected] by 11.59pm Friday 14 October 2022. Previous years Read up on the winners and finalists from previous years: 2021 2020 2019