Bunnings Launches Community Legend Awards to Honour Australian Volunteers
Bunnings Warehouse has officially launched its new Community Legend awards, a nationwide initiative designed to recognise and celebrate everyday Australians who are making extraordinary differences in their local communities. The program will see one overall winner receive a $10,000 donation to their chosen community group or charity, highlighting the hardware giant's commitment to supporting grassroots heroes across the nation.
Recognising Unsung Heroes Across Australia
Michelle Walter, Bunnings Head of Community, Partnerships and Events, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, noting that the company has already been "inundated with outstanding nominations" from every state and territory. "The breadth of nominations we've seen from across Australia has been incredibly moving," Ms Walter stated. "Across every state and territory, we've seen people stepping up in different ways – supporting communities through crisis, creating inclusive spaces, fostering connection and strengthening opportunities for each other."
She further explained Bunnings' motivation behind the awards: "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, recognising that even small acts of care can make a meaningful difference."
How the Awards Program Works
The Bunnings Community Legends program will unfold over several months with multiple recognition opportunities:
- Five local Community Legends will be recognised each week across 10 weeks
- Four category winners will be selected, each receiving a $750 Bunnings voucher, a $5,000 donation to their chosen community group or charity, and a trip for two to the Bunnings Conference
- One finalist will be crowned the Bunnings Community Legend of 2026 in June at the Bunnings national conference, receiving the top prize of a $10,000 donation to their chosen community group or charity, along with a $1,000 Bunnings voucher and a trip for two to the conference
Research Reveals Community Insights
New research commissioned by Bunnings provides fascinating insights into Australian community dynamics:
- Recognition Gap: While Australians value local legends, less than a quarter (16%) can actually name one – highlighting the need for programs like Community Legends to raise awareness and celebrate these unsung heroes
- Community Challenges: One in five Australian communities have experienced significant challenges, with Australians consistently pointing to volunteers such as carers, emergency service workers, and SES personnel as prime examples of local legends
- Strong Community Bonds: More than 70% of Australians report a strong sense of belonging within their local communities, with the biggest drivers including feeling safe and welcome, having access to shared spaces, and knowing their neighbours
Award Categories and Early Nominees
The Community Legends awards will recognise volunteers across four distinct categories that reflect the values making Australian communities strong and resilient:
- Community Pride Legend: For those fostering connection, belonging and local pride
- Community Resilience Legend: For individuals supporting communities through challenge, crisis and change
- Community Inclusion Legend: For champions of diversity, accessibility and inclusion
- Community Wellbeing Legend: For those strengthening wellbeing, safety and opportunity for others
Early nominees already showcase the diversity of Australian volunteers, including 67-year-old Victorian David Burge who has volunteered with the CFA for more than 20 years, 36-year-old Isabeau Briggs who supports homeless community groups, and 72-year-old John Campbell who volunteers seven days a week across multiple charities.
Bunnings' Broader Community Commitment
Bunnings team members and community partners from across Australia have been actively nominating local legends within their communities, demonstrating the company's deep engagement with grassroots initiatives. The hardware retailer, famous for its tools and community barbecues, continues to strengthen its position as a partner in community building across the nation.
This initiative forms part of Bunnings' broader commitment to supporting Australian communities, with the company serving as a partner of Back Australia alongside other major Australian brands including Australian Made, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.
