The HitFM Kalgoorlie-Boulder Youth Awards recognise young people and people working in the youth space doing extraordinary work in our community. Whether it be for academic achievement, employment excellence, cultural leadership or community contribution, we want to know about them.
With six categories representing the vast and varied contributions young people and organisations make to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, each winner receives a $500 cash prize, and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder showcases their achievements.
Young Achiever Award
Winner
Amber Lilley - Amber has been excelling in her professional career as a journalist and photographer at the Kalgoorlie Miner over the last year and recently opened her own photography business. Taking on the role as a first-time journalist/photographer at the Kalgoorlie Miner in October 2020, she has quickly excelled as one of the state's top regional journalists for the West Publications. Amber goes above and beyond in her role, regularly producing six stories daily and photos for all the paper's needs. Without direction from her superiors, Amber has taken on growing the Kal Miner’s presence in the community. In the absence of a Deputy Editor, she has also taken on a leadership role mentoring and teaching other young journalists and photographers. She goes above and beyond in her professional pursuits and is a rising star in the media industry.
Category
The Young Achiever Award recognises young people who have achieved excellence in their field of work or study, conducted a noteworthy personal accomplishment, or developed a creative or innovative project/initiative. This award highlights those young people who have endeavoured to complete a project or initiative to the highest of standards and have demonstrated ability that has led to them being stand-out contributors to the youth community. From academic achievers to tech innovators and customer service superstars, this is the award for YOU!
Young Tradesperson or Apprentice of the Year
Winner
Harrison Webb - Harry is currently studying Aviation at TAFE and is completing a traineeship at Goldfields Air Services. He has worked hard for the last two years at Fairbridge College to be able to start the journey to success in his chosen career path. Last year, Harry completed his Work Experience at G.A.S last year. Due to his strong work ethic, dedication to learning and willingness to give anything a go, the company asked him if he would be interested in a traineeship with them. Harry's traineeship is not like most in the Goldfields, it requires long block dates of travelling to Perth to study Aviation. He is a mentor to his peers in following their dreams and looking for alternative pathways of study and practice. He looks at the world in such a positive way that instead of looking at the limitations of his dreams, he continues to break barriers.
Category
Trades play a significant role in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder business community, and we want to support those young tradies and apprentices who are the future workforce in these industries. This award recognises young people who have performed highly in their roles as tradesperson or apprentices. They must have completed or are currently undertaking a trade with a registered trade organisation and have excelled in their work performance and/or related studies. They are vital team members who contribute to a positive work environment and positively influence work colleagues. They go above and beyond to get the job done and demonstrate a passion for the community they live and work within. So we're calling for all Bakers and Butchers, Chefs and Carpenters, Electricians and Plumbers and everything in between!
Young Community Champion
Winner
Elissa Van Den Elzen - At the age of 13, Elissa is highly involved in the community at such a young age. Across their school studies, extracurricular activities, sporting, community theatre and volunteering, Elissa is a positive role model to other young people her age. She is a dedicated member of the Goldfields Rep Club Youth Theatre group, involved in John Paul College performances, volunteers to raise money for country week and puts her hand forward to be involved in any community event or activity they can find. Elissa embodies the spirit of being a Young Community Champion, and we look forward to watching what they do next.
Category
The Young Community Champion award recognises young people who have a community-focussed mindset and contributes broadly to the greater good of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community. Their achievements have been undertaken on a volunteer basis and demonstrated leadership on community issues relating to enhancing community life. They demonstrate inspiring qualities as a role model and go above and beyond to support those within their community. If you know someone who may have acknowledged and addressed a problem they found within the community; then this is the award for them!
Young Cultural Leader
Malakai's nan collected the award on his behalf.
Winner
Malakai Champion - Malakai is a young 15-year-old positive influence in the Goldfiled's sporting community. At 15, Malakai played his first league game with Mines Rovers football club. As a young indigenous man, Malakai has been nominated for his positive influence on other young football club members, always uplifting others and holding his own on the football pitch amongst seasoned adult players. Malakai’s influence goes beyond young people, with the football club President saying that Malakai is a well-spoken young leader who inspires older club members. An accomplishment of his has been kicking five goals in one league game.
Category
Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a diverse and multi-cultural city with a long history of residents from many different backgrounds. This award recognises young people from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background advocating on behalf of their community. They demonstrate leadership qualities within their community while acting as a positive role model for young people of diverse cultural backgrounds. They are community-minded and maintain a strong connection to their country and/or culture, showing commitment to educating others on the value of culture. This award is for the countless young people contributing to the vibrant cultural fabric of our community.
Youth Worker or Volunteer of the Year
Winner
Cameron Mallory - Cameron has been a youth leader for the Salvation Army for five years. Cameron founded The Shed Youth Space in 2020 and has continued to grow this space into a safe, fun and nurturing space for young people. Cameron saw a lack of available programs such as this in Kalgoorlie and took it upon himself to create this space, which created a movement around Australia with Shed youth spaces opening up in Bunbury, Narrogin and talks of Youth Sheds over East. In addition to the Salvation Army, Cameron also volunteers two nights a week as an assistant Cub Scout Leader and an assistant Scout Leader. Cameron uses all of his annual leave on youth events, youth training and travel for youth. Cameron has flown across the country supporting youth at camps and other youth engagement activities.
Category
Youth workers and volunteers play a pivotal role in the development and lives of young people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Every youth organisation, support service and not-for-profit organisation has a team of dedicated youth workers developing programs, lending a sympathetic ear and providing support for young people in need.
This award celebrates the individual efforts of those youth workers or volunteers who go above and beyond in their roles working with young people.
Youth Organisation of the Year
Winner
The Salvation Army Youth Services and The Shed - The salvation army were actually nominated for two different services they run, and the judges voted them equally winners. The two services are the Youth Crisis accommodation and The Youth Shed.
Youth Crisis Accommodation:
The Salvation Army (TSA) Youth Services provide accommodation and support for young people 15-24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They have a six-bedroom centre in Kalgoorlie that provides a free service to the Goldfields region. They have worked hard over the last 18 months to build awareness of their service in the area with local high schools and supporting agencies and improve the positive outcomes of the young people we work with. They have been nominated to highlight our youth workers' excellent work with the region's most vulnerable young people. From providing basic human rights needs of accommodation, meals and access to shower/laundry facilities through to increasing living skills as part of our Journey to Independence.
The Shed:
The Shed Youth Space was created as a safe, interactive and engaging space for any youth aged 11 to 18. At the Shed, young people can be themselves, discover themselves, and make lasting connections with other young people and safe adult mentors. The Shed is equipped with a kitchen, lounge with streaming platforms and gaming consoles, gaming tables, puzzles and board games, a mini library, Lego corner, chillout space, a garden where young people learn to cultivate succulents, an outdoor grassed area, basketball, gym equipment and much more.
Category
Organisations that run programs for young people and support the ongoing development and service delivery to Kalgoorlie-Boulder's young people are vital in the community. This award category acknowledges the outstanding achievements and contributions that youth-focused organisations or programs deliver to young people. To be eligible for this award, the organisation has to have a primary focus or program providing services directly to young people aged 12-25. The organisation will be exceptional in their ability to relate to young people and deliver programs or services that positively impact the community and the young people they engage with.