REPRESENTATIVES from Standing Tall in Hamilton Inc will be heading to Government House on Tuesday, February 27, after being named as one of six finalists for a Volunteer Partnerships Award in the 2023 Volunteering Awards.

The Victorian Government is recognising 28 outstanding Victorian volunteers, both individuals and organisations, who have generously given their time and skills to make this state an even better place to live.

STiH Inc project manager, Dee Barrera said the organisation was honoured to be named a finalist in the Volunteering Awards.

“We are so proud to be a finalist,” she said.

“As the program manager, I am grateful and excited to learn that Standing Tall in Hamilton Inc. has been named as one of the six finalists for the Volunteer Partnerships Award in the 2023 Volunteering Awards by Minister Ros Spence.

“We are so proud of our team of wonderful volunteers, and equally proud of the enduring relationships we have built with our school partners and business partners who continue to support us each year.”

Ms Bareera said Standing Tall would not be where they were today without the ongoing dedicated support of the entire community.

“We hope to always make our community proud of our achievements,” she said.

“Simply being nominated is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team of wonderful volunteers and our staff.

“This recognition serves as validation of our commitment to making a positive impact through all our partnerships, and further motivates us to continue our efforts in serving the community.”

STiH is a registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is an award-winning, not-for-profit, school-based mentoring program that works with students in grades 4 to 12 attending partner schools.

STiH celebrated 20 years last year and presently has 56 volunteers as mentors with 30 students being actively mentored with six further referrals waiting to be matched.

“Many of our school partners have also advised us that they will have additional referrals for us this term, and we usually expect around 30 referrals in term one alone,” Ms Barrera said.

“We have mentors waiting to be matched and we would be delighted to accept more applications for volunteers from across our community.”

Ms Barrera encouraged anyone interested in becoming a mentor to go to STiH’s website for details on how to apply at: standingtallhamilton.com.au.

Carers and Volunteers minister, Ros Spence announced the nominees for the awards on Thursday, recognising community organisations and volunteers for the enormous contribution they make to Victorian communities and the economy.

The Volunteering Partnerships Award pays tribute to the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieve greater outcomes for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria.

The six nominees will have made a significant difference through establishing or maintaining effective and enduring partnerships with other organisations, business, or local community.

One of the finalist organisations that STiH is up against is the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, showing the high calibre of nominees.

“Our fellow finalists are just wonderful organisations,” Ms Barrera said.

“To be nominated alongside them highlights the significance of this achievement for us.”