Staying across the key dates for the Victoria RESCA helps you plan a strong nomination and ensure your nominee is recognised on time.
This page brings together every major milestone in the awards cycle – from nominations opening and closing, through judging and finalist announcements, to the awards ceremony itself. Use it alongside the How to Nominate guide so you can work backwards from the deadlines and avoid any last-minute rush.
This page brings together every major milestone in the awards cycle – from nominations opening and closing, through judging and finalist announcements, to the awards ceremony itself. Use it alongside the How to Nominate guide so you can work backwards from the deadlines and avoid any last-minute rush.
| Stage of awards cycle | Indicative timing | What happens | Who this affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations open | 2nd March 2026 | Online nomination forms open at www.resca.awardsplatform.com | Community nominators, emergency services organisations |
| Information period | March-April | Promotional activity, information sessions (if held) and Q&A via email to support nominators. | Prospective nominators, agency contacts |
| Nominations close | 30th April 2026 | Final date for submitting completed nominations and any required supporting material. | All nominators |
| Eligibility and completeness checks | April | Entries are checked to confirm eligibility and that all required fields and attachments are provided. | Rotary Victoria RESCA team, nominators (if follow-up is needed) |
| Judging period | Late April - May | Judging panel reviews eligible nominations against the published criteria. | Judging panel, nominees |
| Finalists announced | June | Finalists are notified by email and listed on the Victoria RESCA website. | Finalists, nominators, employers and agencies |
| RSVP deadline | Mid August | Finalists and guests confirm attendance at the awards ceremony. | Finalists, their guests and agency representatives |
| Awards ceremony | Late August / early September | State-wide awards ceremony to celebrate finalists and announce recipients. | All finalists, nominators, sponsors and invited guests |
When nominations open
• Nominators: Review the Award Categories & Eligibility and How to Nominate pages so you understand who can be nominated and what information is needed. Start gathering examples and supporting details early.
• Nominees and agencies: Share the opportunity with colleagues and community members and encourage them to submit nominations.
During the information period
• Nominators: Attend any advertised information sessions (if offered), subscribe to updates and contact the Victoria RESCA team via email if you have questions. Aim to draft your nomination well before the closing date.
As nominations close
• Nominators: Submit your completed nomination and upload any requested supporting documents before the advertised deadline. Late nominations generally cannot be accepted.
During judging
• Nominators and nominees: No further action is usually required unless the Victoria RESCA team contacts you for clarification. The judging panel carefully reviews all eligible nominations against the published criteria.
When finalists are announced
• Finalists: You will be contacted if you are selected as a finalist. You will be asked to confirm your details and note the ceremony date and RSVP deadline.
• Nominators and agencies: Celebrate the announcement, share the news (where appropriate) and purchase tickets to attend the ceremony.
Leading up to the awards ceremony
• Finalists: Confirm attendance by the RSVP deadline and make any required travel or accommodation arrangements. You will receive event details, dress code and timing via email and on the Ceremony page.
• Guests and agency representatives: Coordinate attendance and ensure any accessibility requirements are communicated via the Contact page.
• Nominators: Review the Award Categories & Eligibility and How to Nominate pages so you understand who can be nominated and what information is needed. Start gathering examples and supporting details early.
• Nominees and agencies: Share the opportunity with colleagues and community members and encourage them to submit nominations.
During the information period
• Nominators: Attend any advertised information sessions (if offered), subscribe to updates and contact the Victoria RESCA team via email if you have questions. Aim to draft your nomination well before the closing date.
As nominations close
• Nominators: Submit your completed nomination and upload any requested supporting documents before the advertised deadline. Late nominations generally cannot be accepted.
During judging
• Nominators and nominees: No further action is usually required unless the Victoria RESCA team contacts you for clarification. The judging panel carefully reviews all eligible nominations against the published criteria.
When finalists are announced
• Finalists: You will be contacted if you are selected as a finalist. You will be asked to confirm your details and note the ceremony date and RSVP deadline.
• Nominators and agencies: Celebrate the announcement, share the news (where appropriate) and purchase tickets to attend the ceremony.
Leading up to the awards ceremony
• Finalists: Confirm attendance by the RSVP deadline and make any required travel or accommodation arrangements. You will receive event details, dress code and timing via email and on the Ceremony page.
• Guests and agency representatives: Coordinate attendance and ensure any accessibility requirements are communicated via the Contact page.
Building the awards dates into your calendar makes it easier to stay on track, especially if you are coordinating information from several people.
You can save or print a one-page summary of the Victoria RESCA key dates for your noticeboard, team room or community organisation. You can also add the main milestones to your personal or work calendar so you receive automatic reminders before nominations close and before the awards ceremony.
You can save or print a one-page summary of the Victoria RESCA key dates for your noticeboard, team room or community organisation. You can also add the main milestones to your personal or work calendar so you receive automatic reminders before nominations close and before the awards ceremony.
What happens if I miss the nomination closing date?
In most cases, nominations received after the advertised closing date cannot be accepted, as the judging timeline is carefully planned. If you miss the deadline, you are encouraged to prepare early and submit a nomination in the next awards cycle.
Can I request an extension to the deadline?
Extensions are only considered in exceptional circumstances and cannot be guaranteed. If you believe there is a compelling reason, please email the Victoria RESCA team as early as possible at vicchair@rescawards.org.au.
What if I need to update a nomination after I have submitted it?
If you realise there is a significant error or missing information before nominations close, contact the Victoria RESCA team by email to discuss options. Updates may not be possible after the closing date.
How will I know if key dates change?
Any changes to key dates will be updated on this page and, where possible, communicated via email to nominators and nominees. We recommend checking this page regularly during the awards cycle.
Who can I contact if I am unsure about a date?
If you have any questions about the timeline or how it affects you, please use the Contact page to send an enquiry to the Victoria RESCA team.
In most cases, nominations received after the advertised closing date cannot be accepted, as the judging timeline is carefully planned. If you miss the deadline, you are encouraged to prepare early and submit a nomination in the next awards cycle.
Can I request an extension to the deadline?
Extensions are only considered in exceptional circumstances and cannot be guaranteed. If you believe there is a compelling reason, please email the Victoria RESCA team as early as possible at vicchair@rescawards.org.au.
What if I need to update a nomination after I have submitted it?
If you realise there is a significant error or missing information before nominations close, contact the Victoria RESCA team by email to discuss options. Updates may not be possible after the closing date.
How will I know if key dates change?
Any changes to key dates will be updated on this page and, where possible, communicated via email to nominators and nominees. We recommend checking this page regularly during the awards cycle.
Who can I contact if I am unsure about a date?
If you have any questions about the timeline or how it affects you, please use the Contact page to send an enquiry to the Victoria RESCA team.