Nominations now open for 2022 Youth Awards

Since beginning in 2006, hundreds of young people have been recognised by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Youth Awards, which celebrate the significant contribution young people make to the life of the community and society more broadly.

The Awards encourage young people to continue to strive for their best, doing what they love and enjoy across a range of different interests and initiatives.

Nominations for the 2022 Youth Awards open 6 June and can be for any young person or group of young people aged 12–25 years who live, work, or attend school in the Macedon Ranges.

Award categories include:

Willpower: young people who show real character and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity Good deeds: young people who give their time and energy to activities that support the wellbeing of another individual, group or community. Pure imagination: young people pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts. Nicely played: young people kicking recreational and physical activity goals. Skilling it: young people excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business. Well aware: young people who shine a light on important issues/social causes, and raise awareness in the community.

2021 winners included Lara Vicente (Willpower award) for pushing herself out of her comfort zone by becoming a cadet sergeant and volunteering at a respite service for young people, and Hugo Lobb (Nicley played) for his impressive archery skills and representing Australia at the 2020 World Archery Indoor Series.

Other winners included Sienna Payne (Good deeds) for raising money for Syrian refugees through participation in a rations challenge, and Molly Consiglio (Well aware) for her many volunteering roles including with Camp for Cancer alongside playing women’s cricket and advocating for more women becoming involved in the sport. Gisborne Family Dental Trainee Dental Nurses (Skilling it) and Mount Players Youth Theatre Leadership Group (Pure imagination) rounded out the impressive list of 2021 award winners.

Council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss said the awards were a chance to hear about all the wonderful achievements of young people in the shire and for them to be publicly acknowledged for the positive contributions they make to the community.

“It’s really important to encourage and reward young people for the work they do as role models within our community. These young people are our future and no doubt will go on to continue to do great things for our society”.

“If you know an inspiring young person aged 12–25 years doing amazing things in the community, I urge you to nominate them in this year’s Youth Awards,” she said.