Father figures play an important role in empowering the young people in our community.
More than DNA: we celebrate everyday father figures who shape our communities.
A father figure can be a:
- Relative (father, uncle, brother),
- Role model (coach, mentor, teacher) or
- Community leader (advocate, organiser).
The Victorian Father of the Year award is about recognising the everyday father figures who have a profound and positive effect on young people and their community.
The winner will be honoured by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne at a special ceremony and receive $10,000 in funding from the Y's charitable fund to support initiatives that uplift young people and families in need.
Dr. Billy Garvey is the 2025 Victorian Father of the Year
Billy is a father of three and a developmental paediatrician at one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals. He is also a researcher, author and podcast host, sharing his expertise widely so families and teachers feel more confident supporting children’s wellbeing.rt for those in need. The team strives to understand each person’s challenges and support them towards finding stability and long-term solutions.
Through his social enterprise Guiding Growing Minds, Billy and his team give parents and professionals practical tools to better support children. He also co-hosts Pop Culture Parenting, Australia’s number one parenting podcast, which has grown into a trusted community where thousands of families share stories, learn together and feel less alone.
What it means to be Victorian Father of the Year
Victorian Father of the Year winners Steve Moneghetti (2006) and Ben Smith (2024) discuss what it means to be a Victorian Father of the Year.
Nominations are now open for Victorian Father of the Year 2026!
The winners of this year’s award will be announced on Friday 4 September 2026, just in time for Father’s Day!
Victorian Mother of the Year
The Y also celebrates the Victorian Mother of the Year award.
The award highlights the importance of mothers and mother-figures who inspire and empower those around them.
Check out the highlights from the 2025 Victorian Mother of the Year award.