Make A Wish Australia, Children's Charity - Volunteers wearing her make a wish t-shirt

Volunteer Inspire Awards

Celebrating five exceptional individuals each year who go above and beyond to live our values and make a lasting difference.

Recognising our volunteers

The Volunteer Inspire Awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of volunteers in our Wish Force who embody our values and leave a lasting impact on wish families and our community.

Each award reflects one of our core values in action - Child Focus, Integrity, Impact, Innovation and Community. The Impact Award is named in honour of Aidan McCann, a former wish child, volunteer, and wish ambassador, whose incredible spirit and contribution continue to inspire us all.


Award categories

From 2025, the Inspire Awards honour five outstanding volunteers who bring our core values to life in the following ways:

  • Child Focus Award – always placing wish children first and consistently prioritising their needs
  • Integrity Award – making ethical decisions, even under pressure
  • Impact Award, in honour of Aidan McCann – demonstrating a deep commitment to creating meaningful change
  • Innovation Award – embracing creativity and forward-thinking approaches
  • Community Award – fostering connection, inclusion, and shared purpose

All volunteers are eligible to be nominated for an Inspire Award. Winners are selected by the Volunteer Representative Council (VRC) and elected volunteer board directors.

Make A Wish Australia Children's Charity - Hall of fame volunteer winner 2018 Emma standing with her certificate

And the award goes to...

We proudly presented the inaugural Volunteer Inspire Awards at the 2025 Make-A-Wish Volunteer Conference, honoring the outstanding dedication and impact of five remarkable recipients.

These outstanding individuals exemplify the spirit of Make-A-Wish and inspire us all through their commitment to making wishes come true.

  • Child Focus Award - Alyssa Tasker, Virtual Sparkle Squad
  • Integrity Award - Monique le Roux, Perth North Branch
  • Innovation Award - Carolyn Baird, Perth North Branch
  • Community Award - Eva Iosifidis, Cardinia-Casey Branch
  • Impact Award, in honour of Aidan McCann, Lesley Prout, Virtual Star Catchers
Make A Wish Australia Children's Charity - Hall of fame volunteer winner 2018 Emma standing with her certificate

2025 Inspire Award Recipients

Congratulations to Alyssa on receiving the Child Focus Award.

Since joining in early 2024, Alyssa has quickly become a standout Wish Force member. Her natural leadership and warm presence help others grow in confidence and connect with wish families meaningfully. Whether stepping in last minute or uncovering the heart of every wish, Alyssa’s dedication leaves a lasting impression

Congratulations to Monique on receiving the Integrity Award.

Monique is a trusted and inspiring leader who supports new volunteers, manages expectations with care, and always puts the child’s experience first. Her integrity shines through every interaction, ensuring every wish is delivered with dignity and heart.

Congratulations to Carolyn on receiving the Innovation Award.

Carolyn treats every wish as unique, crafting unforgettable experiences -from dressing as a whale to building a Narnia set from a fridge box. She’s raised over $170K through creative fundraising, built a community of 500+ supporters, and mentored new volunteers. Her leadership, heart and imagination have enriched countless wishes and elevated our mission.

Congratulations to Eva on receiving the Community Award!

As Branch President, Eva has streamlined systems, mentored volunteers, and fostered an inclusive, collaborative team culture. Her optimism lifts morale, while her commitment to local partnerships, organising golf days, BBQs and more, helps strengthen local ties. Eva is a passionate advocate for Make-A-Wish, creating welcoming spaces and inspiring others to get involved.

Congratulations to Lesley on receiving the Impact Award in honour of Aidan McCann.

Always thoughtful and on-theme, Lesley is known for creating personalised anticipation plans that keep wish kids engaged and excited. A key leader in building the Virtual Star Catchers team, she brings joy, mentors volunteers, and fosters a culture of care. With countless nominations, Lesley’s impact on our virtual volunteering community in just four years, has been truly remarkable.

Aidan McCann and the Hall of Fame Legacy

Aidan was a former wish child and Melbourne volunteer, who tragically lost his battle with cystic fibrosis in late 2006.

In 2007, he was honoured with an induction to our Hall of Fame, and our annual Award was also renamed in his memory.

In an emotional speech, our joint 2007 winner Sylvia Rouleston paid tribute to her colleague: "Aidan was a wonderful young man who lived his life to the full, while also giving so that other children's lives could be filled with joy. I feel so privileged to be the first recipient of this award in his name."

Frank was a founding member of the Adelaide Branch, with a 23 year tenure at the time of this Award. He'd held numerous branch leadership positions over that time, and was a positive role model across our organisation, even representing volunteers on the Board. Even on holidays, Frank was known to fundraise for Make-A-Wish, with an enthusiasm that never wanes. As his nominator mentioned "He never stops, yet always gives his best."

Paul and Lyn's long involvement with our cause began when, as parents to critically ill children Emma and Brett, they experienced the power of a wish themselves. Emma and Brett sadly passed away, but Paul and Lyn's support continued in their honour, making the wishes of other children with life-threatening illnesses come true. Their selflessness and dedication is truly awe-inspiring.

With more than 18 years as a Make-A-Wish volunteer, our National Patron Robyn Moore lives and breathes our values. In 2015, she was recognised by her peers for going 'above and beyond' to inspire volunteers, office staff and the wider community alike! Find out more about Robyn and her Make-A-Wish ambassador role here.

With a doctoral thesis on how to motivate volunteers, helping others is what Rambo is all about. As a volunteer at our Perth Branch since 1999, Rambo has positively impacted the lives of more wish children, families and volunteers than we can count - spreading good vibes everywhere he goes.

Thank you volunteers!

To every member of our Wish Force - we thank you. Your dedication, compassion and commitment make wishes possible. The Inspire Awards are just one way we celebrate the incredible difference you make.