It’s great to see so many Gippslanders nominated for the 2026 AFL National Volunteer Awards.
Football in Gippsland is built on the dedication of volunteers who give their time, energy and passion to support their clubs, players and communities.
It’s great to recognise the individuals, clubs and organisations who have been nominated by their peers for the 2026 AFL National Volunteer Awards.
Being nominated is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the positive impact these volunteers have on community football.
Congratulations to all nominees on this well-deserved recognition, your commitment helps create opportunities, strengthen clubs and ensure our game continues to thrive across Gippsland.
The successful Victorian award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
NOMINEES
AFL NATIONAL COMMUNITY
FOOTBALL MEDIA AWARD
– Casey Maisey, Lindenow Football Netball Club
(A Kick in the Bush)
AFL COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR
– Brad Caldwell, West End Juniors and Traralgon Football Netball Club
– Josh Chenoweth, SGUA
– Joel Fanning, Ellinbank Juniors
– Adam Tagliaferro, Nyora Juniors
– Matthew Aslett, Longwarry Juniors
AFL NATIONAL COMMUNITY
FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY
– Kevin Hood, Paynesville Football Netball Club
– Deb Taylor, Morwell Football Netball Club
AFL SCHOOLS – TEACHER OF THE YEAR
– Rick White, Trafalgar Primary School
NAB AFL AUSKICK VOLUNTEER
OF THE YEAR
– Troy Dawes, Lindenow South
– Samantha Manu Wells, Mallacoota
TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY
CLUB OF THE YEAR
– Bairnsdale Football Netball Club
– Cowwarr Football Netball Club
– Hill End and Grove Rovers Football Netball Club
TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
– Garry Blair, Cowwarr Football Netball Club
– Susie Edwards, Buchan Football Netball Club
– Shaun Hecker, Churchill Football Netball Club
– David Trotman, MDU Football Netball Club
– Jess Frost, Yarragon Football Netball Club
– Dom Galati, Lindenow Football Netball Club
– Todd Alexander, Lindenow Football Netball Club
– Jessica Madeley, Drouin Football Netball Club
TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
– Kirby Harmer, Paynesville Football Netball Club
– David Miller, Hallora Juniors Football
Netball Club
– Steve Stainsby, Inverloch-Kongwak Football Netball Club
– Ash Renault, Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club
– Shelley O’Connor, Paynesville Football
Netball Club
– Jarryd Guganovic, Toora Football Netball Club
– Owen Drummond, Rosedale Juniors
– Ashlee McGibney, Drouin Juniors
