Nominations and celebrations of students, alumni and volunteers are now open for the 2026 CEF Awards!
Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) two main annual awards, Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards and the Katie Walker Outstanding Service Award
Nominations are now open for the 1016 CEF Awards – the Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards and the Katie Walker Outstanding Service Award
The CEF network is encouraged to put in an application for an outstanding volunteer, student or alumni from across our 46 local foundations.
Wondering who you might nominate?
It could be a first year student who is already achieving great things in the early days of their studies, a community champion who is making our regions a better place, a volunteer whose passion for CEF is unmistakable or an alumni who is not only achieving their goals, they’re contributing to CEF along the way. Self-nominations are encouraged!
This year’s award ceremony will take place in person at the CEF Luncheon on 9th October in Sydney.
Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards
Generously supported by Audi Foundation, the Alumni Awards celebrates the education and career progress and the meaningful change our students and alumni are creating in their community.
To be eligible for one of the five award categories, a student must have been supported for at least one year by a CEF local foundation. Anyone can nominate a student – you can even self-nominate!
“This award reflects not just my effort, but the guidance and support of mentors, family, and my community who believed in me every step of the way.
I’m so thankful for the Great Lakes Education Fund and CEF for the support, and to my local community that stood behind me.
Saul BradyGreat Lakes Education Fund, 2025 Alumnus of the Year
Katie Walker Outstanding Service Award
The Katie Walker Outstanding Service Award is an honour given annually to a volunteer for their extraordinary efforts and dedication to their local foundation.
Our volunteers are the champions of what we do, what we believe in and how we connect with our local community, to make encouraging impact with our local youth in post school studies.
Local foundations and students are invited to nominate a volunteer who is championing the cause in their local community or could be that quiet achiever who doesn’t expect anything in return. They might be on the money with accounting and reimbursements, great at local marketing, keeps the meeting minutes and documents up to date, willing to stand on a BBQ or sell raffle tickets in the rain or be the first person your local youth turn to when they need help.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating our winners in October!
