Overcoming adversity, improving the lives of people in their community and protecting the environment are just some of the positive traits displayed by this year’s WA Youth Awards finalists.
Youth Minister Donna Faragher said the calibre of entries this year was impressive and showed that young people continued to achieve great things across Western Australia.
“We have a wealth of talented young people in WA achieving amazing heights in areas such as leadership, education, sport and volunteering,” Mrs Faragher said.
The WA Youth Awards were established in 1999 to recognise outstanding Western Australians aged 13 to 25 years.
“These awards highlight and reward the efforts and achievements of young people, and groups who work for the benefit of young people,” the Minister said.
“All of the finalists will make fantastic youth ambassadors and it is vital that they are recognised publicly for their hard work and dedication.”
The WA Youth Awards featured six categories including Inspiration, Environment, Citizenship (Group and Individual), Active Achievement and Leadership. An overall winner would be announced as the 2009 WA Young Person of the Year.
Journalists and photographers from across WA would also be recognised in the WA Youth Awards Media Reporting section.
The 2009 WA Youth Award winners will be announced during National Youth Week (March 29 to April 5) at a gala presentation event on Thursday, April 2.
Category winners receive $2,000 and the WA Young Person of the Year receives two return tickets to a European destination courtesy of Singapore Airlines.
Minister's office - 9213 7250
The finalists in the 2009 WA Youth Awards are as follows:
Edith Cowan University Leadership Award
Julian Canny - Kalgoorlie
Gregory Chapman - Kardinya
Thierra Clanton - South Hedland
Tiffany Leake - Bentley
Amanda Rickman - North Fremantle
Elizabeth Shaw - Claremont
Woodside Citizenship (Individual) Award
Lachlan Cooke - Mosman Park
Kim Landers - Leeming
Kiera Portland - Canning Vale
Korii Tumai-totorewa - Ballajura
April Welsh - Hillarys
Terrence Winner - Kalgoorlie
BHP Billiton / Nickel West Citizenship (Group) Award
Awesome Arts Australia
Girl Guides WA
Hedland Youth Leadership Council
Nine Lives Youth Art Studio
With Head, Heart & Hand
Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia
Department of Environment and Conservation Environment Award
Holly-Anne Escott - Wilson
Georgia Gannon - Duncraig
Jane Genovese - Wattle Grove
Chantelle Jackson - Morley
Elselynn Leighton - Kingsley
Alice York - Mount Barker
Lotterywest-Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation Inspiration Award
Keryn Coles - Bunbury
Peter Darch - Mandurah
Flora Fekira - Nollamara
Laetitia Thompson - Kalamunda
Kenneth Torres - Kununurra
Joshua Yates - Busselton
Office for Youth Active Achievement Award
Tim Cowell - Padbury
Kim Hynynen-Furler - Morley
Benjamin Jerez - Dalyellup
Charlotte Martin - Collie
Courtney Podmore - Parkerville
Eythan Stokes - Ballajura