Bunnings Launches Community Legend Awards to Celebrate Australian Volunteers
Bunnings Warehouse has officially launched its Community Legend awards, a new initiative designed to recognize and celebrate everyday Australians who are making extraordinary differences in their local communities. The program will culminate with one overall winner receiving a substantial $10,000 donation for their chosen charity or community group.
Recognizing Unsung Heroes Across the Nation
The search for Australia's best community volunteers has begun with this innovative awards program. Bunnings, renowned for its hardware stores and community barbecues, is now turning its attention to honoring the local legends who often work quietly behind the scenes to strengthen their neighborhoods.
Michelle Walter, Bunnings Head of Community, Partnerships and Events, expressed enthusiasm about the overwhelming response to the program. "The breadth of nominations we've received from across Australia has been incredibly moving," Ms. Walter stated. "Across every state and territory, we've witnessed people stepping up in diverse ways—supporting communities through crisis, creating inclusive spaces, fostering connection, and strengthening opportunities for each other."
She emphasized the company's firsthand understanding of community power, noting, "At Bunnings, we see first-hand how powerful community connection can be. By shining a light on these Community Legends, we hope to encourage connection in local communities, recognizing that even small acts of care can make a meaningful difference."
Awards Structure and Categories
The Community Legends program will unfold over ten weeks, with five local Community Legends being recognized each week. The program features four distinct categories that reflect the core values of strong Australian communities:
- Community Pride Legend – for fostering connection, belonging and local pride
- Community Resilience Legend – for supporting communities through challenge, crisis and change
- Community Inclusion Legend – for championing diversity, accessibility and inclusion
- Community Wellbeing Legend – for strengthening wellbeing, safety and opportunity for others
From these weekly recognitions, finalists will be selected, with one exceptional individual being crowned the Bunnings Community Legend of 2026 at the company's national conference in June. The overall winner will receive the $10,000 charity donation, along with a $1,000 Bunnings voucher and a trip for two to the Bunnings Conference on June 3-4.
Each of the four category winners will also receive significant recognition, including a $750 Bunnings voucher, a $5,000 donation to their chosen community group or charity, and a trip for two to the national conference.
Research Highlights Community Importance
New research commissioned by Bunnings reveals compelling insights about Australian communities and their unsung heroes. The data shows that while Australians value local legends, less than a quarter (16 percent) can actually name one in their community. This statistic underscores the importance of programs like Community Legends that raise awareness and celebrate these everyday heroes.
The research further indicates that one in five Australian communities has experienced significant challenges, with Australians consistently pointing to volunteers—including carers, emergency service workers, and State Emergency Service personnel—as prime examples of local legends. Encouragingly, more than 70 percent of Australians report a strong sense of belonging within their local communities, with key drivers including feeling safe and welcome, having access to shared spaces, and knowing their neighbors.
Early Nominations Showcase Diverse Contributions
Bunnings team members and community partners from across Australia have already begun nominating local legends within their communities. Early nominees represent the diverse tapestry of Australian volunteerism:
- 67-year-old Victorian David Burge, who has volunteered with the Country Fire Authority for more than two decades
- 36-year-old Isabeau Briggs, who supports homeless community groups
- 72-year-old John Campbell, who volunteers seven days a week across multiple charities
South Australian truck driver Anthony Hill has also been recently nominated for recognition, demonstrating the program's reach across different regions and professions.
The Community Legends initiative represents Bunnings' ongoing commitment to supporting Australian communities. As part of the Back Australia series, which receives support from numerous Australian companies including Australian Made, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Coles, and Qantas, this program aims to strengthen the social fabric of neighborhoods nationwide by celebrating those who give their time and energy to make a difference.
