M.A.T.E.S. Volunteer of the Year (2026)
Samantha Tan
For her Outstanding service to Rotary, M.A.T.E.S. and the Victorian Parliament
Volunteer of the Year 2026
Samantha Tan is the M.A.T.E.S. for Change Volunteer of the Year for 2026.
She was presented with the award at Parliament House in August of 2026 by
Mr. John Pesutto MP for her outstanding service to Rotary, M.A.T.E.S. for Change and
the Victorian Parliament.
FORaMEAL.org
Samantha has served as a volunteer leader with Rotary’s FORaMEAL program since 2023.
During this time, she has helped lead and coordinate other students in fundraising and community engagement activities, while also supporting the organisation and delivery of meal-packing events. Through her sustained involvement, Samantha has helped raise awareness of the program, encourage greater youth participation, and contribute to FORaMEAL’s ongoing provision of emergency meals to communities affected by disaster and hardship.
Public Service Leadership Program
As a Volunteer Coordinator for the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP), Samantha has helped coordinate student participation and engagement with Members of Parliament, with a particular focus on encouraging young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to become more actively involved in civic life and public service.
Over the past three years, she has supported the participation of hundreds of students from across Victoria, particularly secondary school students and those in the early years of university, helping to create opportunities for young people to engage directly with political and community leaders and develop a stronger understanding of public affairs.
The PSLP team is pictured here with Mr James Hardiman, Principal of St Hilda’s College, and Kevin Xiao, Founder of M.A.T.E.S. for Change.
School Award Program
Samantha has mentored more than two dozen students through the Trung Luu Award for Academic Achievement and Inspiration, supporting young people from across Melbourne’s North and Western Metropolitan Region.
Through regular mentoring sessions, she has encouraged students to remain engaged in their education, build confidence in their abilities, and pursue future academic and personal opportunities.
Samantha has also provided individual guidance and encouragement to students recognised for their academic achievement, leadership, community contribution, and personal improvement, helping them to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
