Kalgoorlie-Boulder 2026 Youth Awards

And your winners are...

Young Achiever Award

Lola-Jane Murray

Lola is a proud Wongathu, Yamatji, and Noongar young woman, living and studying in Kalgoorlie Boulder. At just 15, she embodies cultural pride, compassion, and leadership in every aspect of her life. Her deep connection to her homeland, Cosmo Newberry, and her elders there shapes her identity and fuels her passion for advocating on behalf of her community. She visits Cosmo Newberry whenever she can, learning from her elders and bringing their stories, wisdom, and traditions into her everyday life.

As Vice Student Captain and a member of the WA Regional Student Council, Lola demonstrates exceptional leadership. She leads with kindness, empathy, and integrity, ensuring that her peers feel heard, supported, and inspired. Whether it’s mentoring younger students, organising school initiatives, or representing her community on a regional stage, Lola’s presence encourages others to embrace their own voices and cultures.

Lola is deeply committed to educating others about the value of culture. She shares her knowledge of First Nations histories, stories, and traditions with classmates and peers, helping to foster respect, understanding, and pride in cultural diversity. She consistently stands up for fairness, inclusion, and the rights of others, making her a strong advocate for both her own community and broader multicultural initiatives.

Beyond her leadership roles, Lola contributes to her community through volunteering and actively participating in cultural and social projects. Her compassion, integrity, and dedication make her a positive role model for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Lola is more than a leader—she is a bridge between cultures, a voice for her community, and an inspiration for young people. Her commitment to country, culture, and community reflects the true essence of the Young Cultural Leader Award, and she is an exceptional candidate whose impact will continue to grow for years to come

Young Changemaker

Mason Gilmour

Mason is a quiet community changemaker and community champion whose everyday actions strengthen and build youth culture in Kalgoorlie. His leadership is grounded in community stewardship, showing peers the impact of respectful, community-focused behaviour through small but powerful actions. Adam Goodes said, “We all have the power to make change, no matter how big or small.” Mason embodies this belief in everything he does. It was just recently that Mason had rode down to Coles to buy a dust pan to sweep broken glass at the youth precinct.

At Shred Fest and throughout the soft opening of the youth precinct, Mason has demonstrated a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for not only the youth community but the wider community. He takes a community action driven approach and consistently exercises stewardship: picking up rubbish at the skate park, respecting authority such as Safer Streets, encouraging peers to leave the park at closing time, and supporting younger skaters. These actions not create a safe and inclusive community space but support younger skaters in developing skills, confidence, and healthy decision-making.

Mason is a mentor. He encourages his peers to make positive decisions and is not afraid to call out poor behaviour. His ability to influence other young people without judgement but encouragement has helped build stronger connections between youth, adult support networks, Safer Streets teams, and youth workers.

Through his leadership, Mason is actively shaping a more cohesive and inclusive skate and youth culture. He, builds positive community relationships, and demonstrates that meaningful change often begins with small, intentional actions. His impact is visible not only in the at the skate park in 2025 but also in the respect other young people have for him.

Young Tradesperson or Apprentice of the Year

Mason Fawcett

Mason is a first-year plumbing apprentice with BMC Plumbing, undertaking his trade school through Next Gen Skills in Perth. He first joined the team at 15 years old, in March 2025, for six months of work experience (2 days per week) while being homeschooled. During this time, Mason's work ethic, attitude and determination quickly made him stand out.

BMC rarely take on apprentices under the age of 17 due to licensing and driving requirements. However, Mason’s dedication and maturity made him impossible to overlook, and he was offered an apprenticeship - a testament to his capability and commitment.

Mason is a valued member of the team and contributes positively to workplace culture. The plumbers enjoy working with him and regularly request him on jobs. He often arrives first to the workshop, unlocking the doors and thoughtfully turning on the heating or cooling for the office team. His initiative and reliability help set a positive tone for the day.

In his training, Mason has excelled both academically and practically. He has successfully completed his first two TAFE blocks and has taken the initiative to complete a First Aid Certificate Independently to further develop his skills.

Mason shows confidence and pride in his work and demonstrates a strong willingness to learn. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind, have a go and he never complains, no matter how tough or unpleasant the job may be. His positive attitude and determination help boost team morale and set a strong example for other apprentices.

Mason has quickly become a role model within BMC Plumbing, setting a high standard for commitment, resilience and teamwork.

Young Cultural Leader

Lola-Jane Murray

Lola is a proud Wongathu, Yamatji, and Noongar young woman, living and studying in Kalgoorlie Boulder. At just 15, she embodies cultural pride, compassion, and leadership in every aspect of her life. Her deep connection to her homeland, Cosmo Newberry, and her elders there shapes her identity and fuels her passion for advocating on behalf of her community. She visits Cosmo Newberry whenever she can, learning from her elders and bringing their stories, wisdom, and traditions into her everyday life.

As Vice Student Captain and a member of the WA Regional Student Council, Lola demonstrates exceptional leadership. She leads with kindness, empathy, and integrity, ensuring that her peers feel heard, supported, and inspired. Whether it’s mentoring younger students, organising school initiatives, or representing her community on a regional stage, Lola’s presence encourages others to embrace their own voices and cultures.

Lola is deeply committed to educating others about the value of culture. She shares her knowledge of First Nations histories, stories, and traditions with classmates and peers, helping to foster respect, understanding, and pride in cultural diversity. She consistently stands up for fairness, inclusion, and the rights of others, making her a strong advocate for both her own community and broader multicultural initiatives.

Beyond her leadership roles, Lola contributes to her community through volunteering and actively participating in cultural and social projects. Her compassion, integrity, and dedication make her a positive role model for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Lola is more than a leader—she is a bridge between cultures, a voice for her community, and an inspiration for young people. Her commitment to country, culture, and community reflects the true essence of the Young Cultural Leader Award, and she is an exceptional candidate whose impact will continue to grow for years to come.

Youth Organisation of the Year

headspace

In regional communities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder, opportunity is often shaped by geography. Limited employers, transport barriers, and reduced access to services can make the transition from school to employment or further education challenging for young people aged 12–25. During a period of staffing transitions and recruitment challenges, the Work & Study team prioritised stability and continuity, ensuring young people experienced consistent support. In a town where young people often know the barriers before they know the opportunities, the Work & Study Program focuses on building pathways that feel achievable, local, and relevant.

Through reflective, data-informed practice, the program strengthened outcomes for young people. Service data showed strong engagement and rapid progression into job search, prompting a shift from activity-focused support to an outcomes-driven approach. This ensured young people were not just attending sessions, but actively moving toward employment and education pathways.

Community involvement is central to delivery. Partnerships with local schools, employers, KBCCI, Services Australia, Training Alliance, CAPS Coolgardie, Maripni (Vibe Check), and Salvation Army Youth Crisis expanded access to opportunities. Initiatives such as Adulting 101 workshops, a Work & Study Scavenger Hunt, outreach events, and a proposed Digital Access Hub addressed barriers and increased engagement. The End-of-Year Success Draw further encourages sustained participation and celebrates achievements.

Young people supported by the program have re-engaged in education, secured employment, improved confidence, and developed independence. The program also broadened pathways beyond traditional industries, aligning opportunities with individual strengths and interests.

The program follows recognised youth-centred and strengths-based practice, maintaining high professional standards and strong collaboration. An external IPS Fidelity Review confirmed effective service delivery and employer engagement.

By transforming regional challenges into opportunity, the Work & Study Program strengthens pathways, builds community connections, and delivers measurable impact. Through consistency, innovation, and genuine care, the program is helping young people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder build positive futures.

Young Community Champion

Mason Gilmour

This award is selected by the Youth Council from nominations received across all award categories.

Past Youth Award Winners