Published on Monday, 4 May 2026 at 11:00:25 AM
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, together with the Youth Council, has celebrated the outstanding contributions of local young people at the 2026 Youth Awards, held at the Kalgoorlie Town Hall on Saturday, 2 May.
The annual Awards recognise young people who are making a positive difference in the community, along with the volunteers and organisations supporting them. From leadership and cultural connection to everyday acts of care and responsibility, the Awards highlight the many ways local youth are shaping Kalgoorlie-Boulder for the better.
The event brought together all nominees, their families, youth organisations, youth leaders and elected members. Deputy Mayor Terrence Winner opened the proceedings, congratulating nominees and award recipients on their achievements, before the Youth Councillors presented the awards.
2026 Youth Award recipients:
Young Achiever Award
Lola-Jane Murray
A proud Wongathu, Yamatji and Noongar young woman, Lola-Jane is already a strong and thoughtful leader at just 15. As Vice Student Captain and a member of the WA Regional Student Council, she leads with kindness, empathy and integrity. Deeply connected to her culture and community, Lola-Jane shares First Nations stories, mentors younger students and advocates for fairness and inclusion. Her leadership helps others feel heard, supported and proud of who they are.
Young Cultural Leader
Lola-Jane Murray
Lola-Jane’s connection to Country, culture and community sits at the heart of her leadership. Through her commitment to sharing knowledge, building understanding and standing up for others, she is helping to strengthen cultural pride and respect across the community.
Young Tradesperson or Apprentice of the Year
Mason Fawcett
A first-year plumbing apprentice with BMC Plumbing, Mason has stood out from day one. Starting work experience at just 15, he quickly earned the respect of his team through his reliability, initiative and strong work ethic. He takes pride in his work, supports those around him and shows a genuine drive to learn, setting a high standard for what it means to be a young tradesperson.
Young Changemaker
Mason Gilmour
Mason is making a difference through simple, consistent actions that strengthen the local youth community. Whether it’s cleaning up the skate park, supporting younger skaters or encouraging respectful behaviour, he leads by example. His quiet leadership is helping create safer, more welcoming spaces and showing that small actions can have a big impact.
Young Community Champion
Mason Gilmour
Through his everyday efforts, Mason continues to build a strong sense of respect and responsibility among his peers. His positive influence and willingness to step up make him a role model for other young people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Youth Organisation of the Year
headspace
headspace is supporting young people to build confidence, independence and real pathways into work and study through its Work & Study Program. By working closely with local partners and focusing on practical, achievable outcomes, the program helps young people overcome barriers and take meaningful steps toward their future.
Mayor Glenn Wilson congratulated all award recipients and nominees, noting the strength of youth leadership across the community.
“These young people aren’t waiting for the future - they’re already stepping up and making a difference right now,” he said.
“What really stands out to me is how much of this leadership happens naturally. It’s not about recognition for them; it’s just about doing the right thing and looking out for others.”
“It was also great to see some winners recognised across multiple categories. That speaks volumes about the depth of talent here and the values our community are instilling in our young people.”
Youth Council Mayor Connor said the Awards highlighted the meaningful role young people already play in shaping Kalgoorlie‑Boulder.
“A lot of young people are doing great things simply because they care about their community and the people around them,” he said.
“These awards are a chance to acknowledge that effort and it’s really cool to see young people being appreciated for the positive impact they’re having every single day.”
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