Local community member Colin Longworth has been awarded the 2025 WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering honour.
Living Proud, the organisation which Longworth has spent years dedicating his time and energies to, shared their joy at him getting the well-deserved recognition.
The award recognises an individual who has made an exemplary life-long contribution to volunteering over the past 20 plus years, and who through their volunteering has contributed to the betterment of the Western Australian community.
Colin Longworth first began volunteering at the Homosexual Counselling and Information Service, now Living Proud, in 1981. His work in the sector began eight years before the state decriminalised homosexuality.
Motivated by his own experience of coming out in a time of intense stigma and isolation, Longworth took the courageous step to offer support, empathy and reliable information to others in similar situations.
Meaghan Holden, the CEO of Living Proud, said Longworth had shown great commitment to the organisation.
“The value of Colin’s contribution to our community is immeasurable.” Holden said. “For over 40 years, he has shown incredible compassion and commitment. He has offered peer support, helped train generations of volunteers, and stood by our community through some of its most difficult times, including the HIV/AIDS crisis.
“His dedication to the wellbeing and dignity of LGBTIQA+SB people in WA is inspirational.” Holden said.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Longworth played a crucial role in sharing accurate information during the HIV epidemic – at a time when public education was scarce or legally restricted. The comfort he offered through countless phone conversations brough reassurance and clarity to many people facing stigma, fear and isolation.
In addition to working on the phone lines, Longworth has also trained and mentored dozens of peer supporters and volunteers, many of whom have gone on to careers in the community services sector.
Living Proud awarded Longworth with life membership in 2011 recognising his outstanding service. In mid-2023 Longworth stepped away from his long-held peer support role to take on new responsibilities, including organising Living Proud’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Colin Longworth has also been a volunteer writer at OUTinPerth writing many articles about politics, history and advice. Along the way he also trained as a psychologist opening up his own successful practice extending his work in helping others in the community.
Colin Longworth calls for more action on law reform in acceptance speech
Accepting his award Colin Longworth said he felt it was important to recognise people who paved the way, and those he drew inspiration from.
“I feel like I am standing on the shoulders of others, like those people from the past working for Gay and Lesbian rights, like Jeff Hayler, a major figure in the history of Gay and Lesbian rights in WA, and people like Ken Whitton (like Jeff Hayler, deceased many years ago) who was a phone volunteer for many years since well before I started with the organisation then known as the Homosexual Counselling and Information Service.” he said.
“Although not as significant as Rosa Parkes in the U.S. not going to the back of the bus, or Vincent Lingiari leading a walkout of aboriginal stockmen at Wave Hill Station, I felt I was doing my bit to make things easier for LGBTIQA+ people who followed in my metaphorical footsteps.
Longworth also stressed that while coming out is an easier process today that it was decades ago, there’s still lots of work to be done in Western Australia.
“Although it is easier now to be an out LGBTIQA+ person this is still difficult for those of a religious bent or employed or studying in a faith-based organisation, as they risk being legally sacked or expelled from school if they come out. This is despite repeated Federal and State government assurances that these, what I call “special rights” will be repealed.
“This is separate to the snake-oil salesmen who claim to be able to “cure” people of their homosexuality. Again, still legal in WA, although not the case in some other Australian States.” Longworth highlighted as he accepted the award.
Volunteering minister Hannah Beazley congratulations award recipients
Volunteering Minister Hannah Beazley has congratulated the inspiring winners of the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards for their remarkable contributions to their communities and the state.
“The 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards showcase the rich volunteering culture we have here in Western Australia, with this year’s winners hailing from the Pilbara, Wheatbelt and Perth metropolitan regions.
“These often-quiet achievers each have an inspiring story to tell, and through their generosity of spirit and dedication to helping others, are making a real difference to our State.” the minister said.
“Volunteering brings people together and enriches our communities, making them stronger, more inclusive and better-connected places.
“These Awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible achievements of individuals and organisations across our volunteering sector, while encouraging others to give volunteering a go.” Minister Beazley concluded.
Volunteering WA CEO Tina Williams said volunteering is a powerful force that brings people together.
“Volunteering WA is proud to celebrate the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Award recipients, who exemplify the highest standards of service and altruism, proving that every individual has the power to create meaningful change.
“This year’s winners are ambassadors for connecting communities, and show us that with passion, dedication and selflessness, any one of us has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of others.”
16-05-2025 10:30am This article was updated to include comment from Hannah Beazley, Tina Williams and comments from Colin Longworth’s acceptance speech.
