WA Youth Awards
Each year the WA Youth Awards aim to recognise and reward outstanding young Western Australians aged 13 to 25 years, and youth groups/organisations providing valuable services and support to young people.
There are six categories in the WA Youth Awards:
- Leadership
- Citizenship (Individual)
- Citizenship (Group)
- Environment
- Inspiration
- Active Achievement
Category finalists are invited to attend the WA Youth Awards Gala Presentation Dinner held during April, and the winners each receive a cash prize of $2,000 and a sail aboard the STS Leeuwin. The WA Young Person of the Year receives two return airfares to a European destination, courtesy of Singapore Airlines.
Presenting the Winners of the 2006 WA Youth Awards:
Inspiration Award and 2006 WA Young Person of the Year
Darren Lomman
Modifying recreational vehicles to enable people with disabilities to lead a more active and fulfilling life is Darren’s passion. It began when he used his engineering skills to rebuild a motorbike for a friend who became a paraplegic after a bike accident. Darren set up the Disabled Recreation Club, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people with disabilities broaden their skills and experience. Named as the Young Biomedical Engineer of the Year in 2005, Darren manages to run a business and still finds time to volunteer to help others.
Active Achievement Award
Emma Wynne
At 17 years of age, Emma was the youngest competitor to enter the Kellogg’s Nutrigrain Ironman Series, which was the start of her national and international medal winning streak. When she is not training or competing, she devotes many hours as a surf life saver which includes coaching and mentoring children and young people.
Leadership Award
Terrence Winner
Terrence is a Youth Officer for the Eastern Goldfields YMCA where he promotes leadership through the development and delivery of physical activities. He has won several academic scholarships, the 2006 Australia Day Mayor’s Award and the ABC Radio’s Heywire competition for his story ‘Caught in the middle’ explaining how his multicultural background had impacted on his life.
Citizenship (Individual) Award
Dave Sparkes
Dave’s incredible energy and commitment to helping young people has benefited many in his community. As a volunteer with the youth outreach of Touch Australia, Dave ‘adopted’ Lakelands High School and put together a team of young men to mentor the students who were lacking positive male role models.
Citizenship (Group) Award
Roebourne Girls FX
In 2005, a group of young Indigenous girls mounted a highly successful road show teaching modelling and dance to young people in the Pilbara region. These positive role models won many awards and modelling contracts. Members of the group must attend school regularly, not be in trouble with the justice system or engage in anti-social behaviour, providing leadership and inspiration to other young people.
Environment Award
Ellen Ward
Ellen is committed to encouraging and inspiring people to improve their environment by using native plants in their gardens, improving sustainable living practices, using energy friendly designs and being water wise. As a horticulture student, Ellen is passionate about educating and encouraging people to make a difference to their world and protect their environment.
Entries into the 2007 WA Youth Awards will open October 2006.
We encourage you to consider nominating a young person or youth organisation that you know is making a difference.
WA Youth Awards - Media Reporting
The WA Youth Awards - Media Reporting recognise and reward excellence in media reporting of young people and youth issues. The award is part of the overall WA Youth Awards, focussing on young Western Australians aged 13 to 25 years. This award acknowledges the role the media plays in forming public opinion about young people and youth issues in our community, and encourages the media to take a lead by responsibly and realistically reporting on young people and youth issues.
Entries into the 2007 WA Youth Awards - Media Reporting will open November 2006.
Contact: the Office for Children and Youth for more details.