Community Awards
Starting from 2019, VicBears is proud to announce our annual VicBears Community Awards. Each year VicBears members and committee will be able to nominate VicBears members they feel contribute in a significant way to the LGBTI community. These individuals will be reviewed and the committee will be able to recognise the individuals they feel stand out each year.
The “Jack Chapman” Community Award
Award Details
This award is given out each year in recognition of a VicBears member who show significant commitment and dedication towards the goals and drives of the VicBears community through volunteering or charitable donations.
Named after Jack Chapman, who dedicated countless years toward the Australian bear community through repeatedly volunteering on the VicBears committee among many other organisations, spearheading the creation of theatre productions in Victoria, championing multiple health intiatives within the Victorian bear community in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health as well as his extended work in the LGBTI community such as spending 4 years on The Cubby House radio show exploring all things bear related.
Raymond Lee (2019)
The inaugural “Jack Chapman” Community Award for 2019 was presented to Raymon Lee. Raymond was nominated by multiple individuals in the community for his years of dedication to the VicBears community.
Most notably, in 2019 Raymond collected $1500 for the Positive Living Centre Pantry Services donations through Boxing Day Bears as well as providing a car full of cans and various food substances to assist them during a notoriously difficult stock period for them. It was also remarked that this is not the first time that Raymond has donated several trolley loads full of food on Boxing Day Bears over the last few years.
Raymond is a true example of community charity and the dedication to go above and beyond for a good cause.
Nomationation Form
Noticed someone who deserves to be recognised?
Use the Nomiation Form to document any examples of behaviour that you feel goes above and beyond in the VicBears Community! Each year before Boxing Day Bears the committee will collect the nominations and vote to decide who should be recognised each year.