FRANKSTON’S most dedicated volunteers have been recognised for their hard work at an awards ceremony.
AWARE Wildlife Rescue, which provides 24-hour care for injured wildlife in Frankston, won the Outstanding Volunteer Organisation Award at the 2025 Volunteering Frankston Awards.
AWARE Wildlife Rescue’s 31 volunteers band together to rescue wildlife and return them back into our habitats. It won a $1000 prize for its work.
The 2025 Volunteering Frankston Awards also recognised community leaders across six categories: Service, Leadership, Environmental and Animal Welfare, Youth Community, Senior Community and Teamwork. The winners were Len May from Mornington Railway Preservation Society Inc, Aaron McKaskill from Mums Supporting Families in Need, Johan de Bree from Frankston Beach Association, Olivia Cooper from Fresh Amplify, Terry Mackay from Community Support Frankston, and 3198 Seaford Beach Patrol respectively.
Frankston Council interim CEO Cam Arullanantham offered his congratulations to the award winners. He said “there are many groups and programs in the Frankston City community who rely on the time and skills of volunteers to do the vital work they do”.
“From providing Meals on Wheels, protecting our environment, mentoring programs, providing food and clothing, and even in keeping our local beaches free from rubbish – we rely on the work of our volunteers to keep the city running,” he said. “Congratulations and thanks to all the volunteer nominees, organisations and award winners. On behalf of an incredibly grateful council and community, thank you to each and every volunteer who makes such a positive impact in Frankston City.”
There are an estimated 16,800 volunteers in the Frankston municipality putting in more than 46,000 hours of their time each year.
First published in the Frankston Times – 20 January 2026