Celebrate the people who make your school community stronger

Every ACT public school has volunteers and P&C employees who make an extraordinary difference.

They welcome new families, organise events, balance the books, secure grants, run services, share important information, cook countless sausages and quietly keep things moving behind the scenes.

The 2026 ACT Public School P&C Awards are an opportunity to recognise the people whose time, energy and commitment help create stronger, more connected school communities.

Nominations are open from 31 July to 12 October 2026.

Everyday contributions deserve recognition

You do not need to have delivered a huge project or achieved something extraordinary to deserve recognition.

These awards celebrate the everyday effort, teamwork, creativity and persistence that keep P&Cs going and make a lasting difference for students, families and schools.

Perhaps someone has:

• helped new families feel welcome
• brought fresh energy to fundraising
• kept the books, minutes or rosters under control
• spent years supporting their school community
• created a memorable food fundraiser
• secured a valuable grant or partnership
• kept families informed through social media
• brought enthusiasm to every event
• supported the P&C through their work as an employee

Anyone can submit a nomination, including P&C volunteers, parents and carers, school staff and members of the wider school community.

P&Cs can also nominate themselves for relevant categories.

There is no need for a formal awards submission. Simply tell us what the nominee has done and why their contribution deserves to be celebrated.

Award categories

Community Builder Award

For volunteers who help create a welcoming, inclusive and connected school community.

This award celebrates people who bring families together, encourage participation and help others feel that they belong.

Their contribution might include welcoming new families, creating inclusive events, supporting culturally diverse communities, building partnerships or finding new ways for parents and carers to connect.

Nominate for the Community Builder Award

Innovation in Fundraising Award

For fresh ideas and creative approaches to fundraising.

This award recognises a volunteer or P&C that tried something new, reinvented a traditional fundraiser or found a clever way to engage the school community.

Successful fundraising is not only about raising the most money. It can also be about building community, solving a problem or creating an activity families genuinely want to support.

Nominate for the Innovation in Fundraising Award

Behind the Scenes Hero Award

For the quiet achievers who keep everything running smoothly.

Every successful P&C relies on people who make things happen in the background.

They may keep the accounts balanced, record the minutes, answer emails, manage rosters, sort uniforms, support the canteen or take care of the small details that allow everyone else to succeed.

Nominate for the Behind the Scenes Hero Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

For long-term dedication and a lasting contribution to school communities.

This award recognises volunteers whose years of service, leadership and generosity have left a meaningful legacy.

Their contribution may span different schools, P&Cs, committees, projects or generations of students and families.

Nominate for the Lifetime Achievement Award

Foodie Fundraising Legend

For volunteers who turn food into fun, funds and community spirit.

From sausage sizzles and cake stalls to cultural food festivals, community breakfasts and school dinners, food-based events bring people together.

This award celebrates the people who plan, cook, serve, coordinate volunteers and clean up afterwards to make those events possible.

Nominate a Foodie Fundraising Legend

Social Media Guru

For volunteers who inform, engage and connect their school community online.

This award recognises the people behind the posts, event reminders, updates and campaigns that keep families informed and involved.

They may create engaging content, promote events, encourage volunteers, celebrate successes or help bring the personality of their P&C to life.

Nominate a Social Media Guru

Grant Whisperer Award

For volunteers or P&Cs that successfully secure grants, sponsorships or external funding.

This award celebrates the people who find opportunities, complete applications and turn good ideas into funded projects.

The funding might have supported playground improvements, wellbeing programs, sustainability initiatives, technology, events, inclusive education or another project benefiting the school community.

Nominate for the Grant Whisperer Award

Endless Energy Award

For the volunteer whose enthusiasm never seems to run out.

They are always ready to lend a hand, encourage others, solve problems and bring positive energy to the P&C.

This award recognises volunteers whose enthusiasm makes activities more enjoyable, motivates others to participate and strengthens the whole school community.

Nominate for the Endless Energy Award

P&C Employee Award

For a paid P&C employee whose work supports the success of the association and school community.

Many P&Cs rely on employees to manage services, coordinate operations, support volunteers and help families access important resources.

This award recognises an employee whose professionalism, initiative and commitment have made a positive difference.

Nominate for the P&C Employee Award

How to nominate

1. Choose the category that best fits the person or P&C you would like to recognise.
2. Open the relevant nomination form.
3. Tell us what they have done and the difference it has made.
4. Submit the form by Monday 12 October 2026.

You are welcome to submit nominations in more than one category or nominate more than one person.

You do not need polished language or a professionally written application. The judges simply want to understand the nominee’s contribution and why it matters.

Important dates

Nominations open: Friday 31 July 2026
Nominations close: Monday 12 October 2026
Award presentation: Tuesday 3 November 2026

Winners will be announced and presented at the ACT Parents Annual General Meeting on 3 November.