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Third Sector Awards 2025 finalists revealed

Geraldine Grones
August 5, 2025

The public voting for Third Sector Awards 2025 is now officially open. The deadline is on 29 August.

Third Sector Awards, the largest and most prestigious awards ceremony that recognises excellence within the not-for-profit sector, returns in 2025 to give organisations of all sizes a chance to celebrate their vital work and contributions to society.

After a careful review of the nominees’ qualifications, we’re glad to announce the finalists for each of our ten award categories:

CEO of the Year

Simon Brown, CoAct
Mandy Richards, Global Sisters
Craig Stevens, LocalKind Northern Beaches
Donna de Zwart, Fitted for Work
Delia Donovan, Domestic Violence NSW

First Nations Leader of the Year

Monique Wiseman, Birribee Housing SHS
Serika Shillingsworth, Stepping Stone House
Wanita Caylun, Dusty Feet Mob
Darryl Majid, Esparq Ventures

Collaboration Excellence Award

Transition Accelerator / Wilyn Pools
The Saver Plus Program
Reintegration Housing Support Program
Flying Start Paediatric Clinics in Remote NSW
Fitted for Work & Coles Group Partnership

Fundraising Excellence Award

Powering Protection, Bush Heritage Australia
Youth Homelessness Project Launch Luncheon, Anglicare Southern QLD
24 Pets of Christmas Campaign, PetRescue Ltd
Efata Bali Expansion Project, Australia Oikos Care
Emma Kirkman, Cure Cancer

Marketing Excellence Award

Alicia Ballesty, Rare Cancers Australia
Belinda Sherry, MSWA
Lauren Monaghan, Grand Pacific Health
Sarah Thyssen, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia
Tamsyn Kiely, 3rd Space

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Award

FORWAARD Aboriginal Corporation
Koorana Child & Family Services
First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
Community Resources Limited
Inclusee Ltd

Social Impact Excellence Award

Brave Foundation
Creating Impact
The Young Parents Program
Smeeta Singh/Power to Kids
Global Sisters

Volunteer of the Year

Stephen Chiu Ho Li, CASS Care Ltd
Tracy Cross, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation
Su Cordiner, Raise Foundation
Melissa Hood, Chain Reaction Foundation
Emrah Aydin, Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia

Small Charity of the Year

Melissa Holmes Stepping Out Program
Efata Bali School Project – Australia Oikos Care
Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA)
YOU CHOOSE Programs
Fearless Women Inc

Emerging Leader of the Year

Oliver White, NAPCAN
Tom Downie, Youth Projects
Tara Heap, CoAct
Pat Bollen, Social Ventures
Jessica Abernethy, UnitingCare Queensland

Join us in honouring the unsung heroes of our sector. Get your dinner tickets here.

Geraldine Grones

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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.