Mt Evelyn residents are encouraged to nominate a young person who deserves recognition for their achievements and contributions to the Yarra Ranges community for Yarra Ranges Council’s Celebrating YOUth awards.
Celebrating YOUth is a youth-led event that shines a spotlight on young people by recognising and celebrating their contributions as community members in the Yarra Ranges.
The awards are open to young people aged between 12 and 25 who live, study or work in the Yarra Ranges, with six categories for nomination: Resilience, Youth Entrepreneur, Community Improvement, Passionate Advocate, Environmental Sustainability and Creative Arts.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Jim Child said the awards were a great opportunity to highlight the efforts of our region’s young people, which may otherwise go unnoticed by the broader community.
“We have some amazing young people in our region doing some wonderful work, often going about their business quietly in the background without seeking out recognition or attention,” Cr Child said.
“These Youth Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate deserving young people who lead by example and inspire others through their leadership, drive and determination.”
Organised by young people for young people, the council’s youth ambassadors, young people from Yarra Ranges Council’s Youth Advisory Group and Defrosted Events came together to create this safe, welcoming and inclusive event.
Youth Advisory Group member Thomas Hobley said that there is a vast number of young people making valuable contributions to our community every day.
“While I’ve been at the Youth Advisory Group it’s been a really inspiring experience to see so many diverse and passionate young people working toward a better future,” Thomas said.
“There are a lot of young people doing amazing and incredible things in the Yarra Ranges that should be celebrated and this event is really about giving a voice to the younger people in our community who don’t always receive the recognition they should and celebrating the contributions and work they make.”
Thomas said that although there is one winner for each category, every young person nominated will be acknowledged and celebrated.
“We believe all nominees are deserving of recognition and we’ll acknowledge the commitment, achievements and resilience shown by all nominees,” he said.
Nominations are open until Monday 7 November and can be made by visiting: https:// www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Community/Youth/Celebrating-YOUth
