A year of connection, impact and celebrating 60 years
The 2025–26 year was marked by both achievement and reflection for the Churchill Trust. While continuing to deliver the Fellowship program and support Fellows across Australia, the Trust also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Churchill Doorknock Appeal and the extraordinary community fundraising effort that established the organisation in 1965.
Throughout the year, the Trust focused on expanding access to the Fellowship program, delivering targeted information sessions in regions where application numbers have historically been low. Supported by Churchill Fellows and Fellows Associations across the country, these efforts contributed to another strong and diverse application round.
The Fellowship selection process once again demonstrated the strength of the Churchill community, with assessors, interviewers, volunteers and staff contributing thousands of hours to identify the next cohort of Churchill Fellows. The year also saw the successful delivery of the National Churchill Fellows Convention in Melbourne, bringing Fellows together from across Australia to reconnect, share ideas and celebrate the impact of the Fellowship program.
The Trust continued to strengthen its post-Fellowship work through the Partnering for Impact program, supporting Fellows to translate their learnings into lasting benefits for Australian communities.
As part of a concerted effort to reconnect with Fellows and support the completion of Fellowship reports, 149 reports were published during the year—the highest number in recent years. Together with 101 Fellowship journeys supported across 50 countries, these achievements highlight the ongoing reach and impact of the Churchill Fellowship.
The year at a glance
- 1,022 applications received
- 100 recipients were awarded Churchill Fellowships, including 10 joint Fellowships
- 149 Churchill Fellowship reports published
- 101 Churchill Fellowship journeys were supported
- 5,443,827 kilometres travelled
- 50 different countries visited
The Churchill Trust extends its sincere thanks to its staff, Churchill Fellows Associations, assessors, interviewers, sponsors, partners and the many volunteers who contribute their time and expertise throughout the year. Their commitment ensures the Fellowship continues to identify, support and connect Australians who are working to create positive change in their communities.