News Alert |

A night of celebration was held at the 2018 Youth Awards on Friday 19 October, when the community joined City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh, the City of Ballarat’s Youth Council and 2018 Youth Awards Ambassadors Macaylah Johnson and Sam Rizzo to recognise the nominees and winners of the 2018 Youth Awards.

The Gala Ceremony included live music from 2018 Push Start Finalist FLOC, acoustic artist Shun Dun, as community sponsors announced and presented the 12 award categories.

The Youth Awards are an opportunity for the community to celebrate and recognise Ballarat’s many young people aged between 12 and 25 years who make a positive contribution to the community. A strong response of 99 nominations from the community were received for the 2018 Youth Awards.

The Youth Awards are an initiative of City of Ballarat’s Youth Council, which leads the planning and delivery of the event. 

The City of Ballarat and Youth Council are also supported to deliver the annual event by the support provided by community sponsors, including the generous support of major event sponsors Buninyong and District Community Bank Branch - Bendigo Bank and Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts.

The Youth Award categories include:

Challenge and Change Award

Sponsored by – Highlands LLEN                                      

Presented by:  Asha Buckmaster Highlands LLEN

Winner – Gabriel Gervasoni

Recognises a young person who has made a substantial turn-around in their life. This young person will have demonstrated personal growth whilse overcoming challenges in their day-to-day life. This young person has made valued and respected contributions to the community which resulted in a positive, supportive, safe social and emotional environment.

Group Project Award

Sponsored by – Voice FM                          

Presented by: Cate Larcombe, VoiceFM

Winner – LARF Mentoring Program

Aims to recognise a group of young people who have volunteered to develop or implement a project which has benefited both the young people involved and the broader community. They have created positive, healthy relationships with their peers, family and community members. The group could be a school group, environmental group, volunteer organisation group, club or similar.

Leadership in Sport Award

Sponsored by – Minerdome Sports Club                         

Presented by: Andrew Day, Ballarat Basketball

Winner – Charlotte Matthews

Recognises a young person (individual or as part of a team) for outstanding achievement in leadership in sport. This includes making a difference to the community through sport or through volunteering their time to a sporting organisation. This includes young coaches, umpires, team members and similar who go above and beyond to contribute to their organisation.

STEM Award

Sponsored by – Ballarat Tech School                                          

Presented by: Sofia Fiusco, Ballarat Tech School

Winner – Brandon Close

This award aims to recognise the power STEM learners have to change the world and the future by harnessing science, technology, engineering and maths in innovative ways. This person is having a positive impact on their future by increasing their employability skills, engaging in meaningful learning and having fun along the way. This person may learn independently or as part of a learning network.

Leadership in the Arts Award

Sponsored by – Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts                                   

Presented by: Mark Witham, Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts        

Winner – Jacinda Luttrell

This award aims to recognise and promote the work of young people involved in the arts. This person has demonstrated positive leadership qualities in their field and have a positive vision for their future endeavours. These areas of art include performance, visual, design and multimedia.

Young Carer Award

Sponsored by - SalvoConnect                                           

Presented by: Amber Byvoet, SalvoConnect Western

Winner – Sissy Austin

Recognises a young individual who goes out of their way to care for someone in their personal life or broader community. This award acknowledges the outstanding contribution these individuals make through actions such as babysitting, daily chores, mentoring or reading to the elderly.

Positive Leader Award

Sponsored by -  YMCA                                           

Presented by: Stacey Oliver, YMCA

Winner – Lachlan Warwick

This award recognises a young person who fosters a positive sense of community. This person has shown leadership while working together with others in an encouraging and helpful way. They may have led youth initiatives or held positions of leadership in committees or groups.

Youth Volunteer Award

Sponsored by – Western Bulldogs                       

Presented by: Macaylah Johnson, Western Bulldogs Leadership Program Participant

Winner - Teghan Henderson

Aims to recognise a young person who makes an outstanding effort to contribute to the community through volunteering. This person shows great dedication and commitment to the program(s) that they support. This person creates positive images, is a role model and shares their stories as well as other stories with the community.

Young Entrepreneur Award

Sponsored by - Upstart                              

Presented by: Heather Kelly and Jenny Perk, Upstart

Winner – Sarah-Jane Sloane

The young entrepreneur award aims to recognise those who have led or continue to lead a successful business, social enterprise or innovation. This person has led the way with fine qualities of determination and equity and has used these qualities to contribute to their area of passion.

Adult Ally – Volunteer

Sponsored by – Ballarat Foundation        

Presented by: Matt Jenkins, Ballart Foundation

Winner – Glenn Sandford

This award is open to those of 25 years and older. It aims to recognise an individual who has helped make a difference to young people in their community. Through demonstrating that it is possible to be a mature and highly valued member of the community, they show the young people they volunteer with that anything is possible. This award is not for someone who is employed in the youth field.

Adult Ally – Worker

Sponsored by - Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)                                        

Presented by: Shani Cain, CMY

Winner – Greta Murdoch

This award is open to those of 25 years and older. It aims to recognise the contribution made by a paid worker, who goes above and beyond their usual requirements by working with and supporting young people in the community. This person could be a youth worker, school counsellor, teacher or similar.

Overall – Major Awards – 2 Categories

These young people have made consistent and genuine efforts in various aspects of their life. Their stories, contribution and dedication to the community are inspirational and demonstrate the true essence of the human spirit, of passionate leadership and determination to create positive change.

Major Award, 12 -17 years

Sponsored by - Buninyong and District Community Bank Branch - Bendigo Bank

Presented by: Stephen Falconer

Winner – Brody Filcock

Overall - Major Award, 18 - 25 years

Sponsored by - Buninyong and District Community Bank Branch - Bendigo Bank

Presented by: Stephen Falconer

Winner – Teghan Henderson

Youth Awards Judging Criteria

•           How has the nominee shown contribution to the community?

•           How would you rate the nominee's dedication to their field (if relevant)?

•           Rate the conditions in which the nominee reached achievement in their field.

•           Rate the nominee's initiative in their field.

•           To what extent is the quality of the nominee's work/contribution?

•           What is the time committed by the nominee to their field (if relevant)?