The Festival proudly hosts a range of awards in recognition of excellence and achievement for groups or individuals in artistic and community-focused endeavours. 

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NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD  
Presented to those who have made a significant contribution to enriching folk music and culture in this country during their lifetime. See below for more information and a list of previous recipients.

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GILL REES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS  
Awarded in memory of Gill Rees, a talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and regular National Folk Festival performer, this award is presented to a promising young folk artist or group performing at the Festival.  

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NORM MERRIGAN AWARD  
Offered in memory of Norm Merrigan, accordion player and musician who was welcoming and encouraging to all, this award is presented to a promising young instrumentalist, including traditional, contemporary, and global roots music. The award bursary furthers the recipient’s creative practice.  

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NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL RECITER OF THE YEAR  
This perpetual award, crafted in solid iron bark wood, is awarded each year to the best reciter at the 2026 Poets’ Breakfast events, as decreed by the previous recipient.

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BLUE THE SHEARER AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL POEM
This perpetual trophy is awarded in memory of Colin Wilson, AKA Blue the Shearer, for the best original poem performed by its author at the 2026 Poets’ Breakfasts, as decreed by the previous recipient.

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NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER TEAM & INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS  
All our wonderful volunteers deserve recognition! Each year four awards are presented to acknowledge the contributions of our volunteers. They are Volunteer Team of the Year, New Volunteer of the Year, Returning Volunteer of the Year, and People’s Choice Volunteer of the Year. Read on below for a list of previous recipients.