This incredible values-driven initiative, founded by Professor Raj Shekhawat, recognises and celebrates men who make a meaningful difference through their everyday actions.

Originally conceptualised in South Australia, the Awards were founded on a simple but powerful belief: if we want stronger communities, we must actively recognise those who are already strengthening them. What began as a local initiative has now evolved into a growing national movement. The Awards are now expanding state by state, building a platform that elevates character, service, integrity, and positive leadership across Australia.

Expressions of Interest are now open and will close on Sunday 11 October 2026, so get in quick to nominate. If you know a man who deserves recognition for the way he leads, serves, supports or inspires others, nominate him.

“We encourage anyone to nominate a man they admire, or equally welcome men to self-nominate, and encourage everyone to take this opportunity to celebrate the men who are making a difference in South Australia,” Professor Raj Shekhawat says.

The Positive Role Model Awards honour men who lead not through titles or status, but through impact, service, and integrity. The previous award recipients include community leaders, educators, health professionals, mentors, entrepreneurs, and advocates who quietly uplift others and strengthen society through their actions.

In 2024 Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation Founder & Chair, Nick Lee OAM, was proud to be a recipient of the Positive Role Model Awards.

“It was an honour to receive recognition as a positive role model in the community. These awards are a great way to recognise exceptional male role models in South Australia who make a real difference in their communities. If you know someone who deserves recognition, please nominate them. It will only take a couple of minutes of your time, but it will make the world of difference to that person,” Nick Lee OAM says.

Each year, recipients are selected through an independent and rigorous judging process, ensuring fairness, credibility, and integrity in recognising outstanding role models. At its core, the initiative exists to shift the narrative — from what is broken, to what is strong; from what is missing, to what is already working.

The Positive Role Model Awards continue to grow as a platform committed to:

· Strengthening men’s wellbeing and positive identity

· Elevating community leadership and service

· Supporting intergenerational role modelling

· Encouraging a more balanced public narrative about men and masculinity

This is more than an awards program. It is a national movement in progress — one state at a time, one role model at a time. Nominate here >

Five winners will get a $1,000 cash prize each along with a Certificate and VIP invite to the Men’s Health Awareness Ball on Friday 13 November at EOS, SkyCity Adelaide. The Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation are proud to be the Charity Partner for the Men’s Health Awareness Ball, coming to Adelaide for the very first time.

ENQUIRIES

Professor Raj Shekhawat

Founder, Positive Role Model Awards

0480 612 151

Leah Burgess

Communications Manager, Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation

[email protected]