- Published:
- Friday 6 May 2016
Young entrepreneurs, scientists, activists, and volunteers are among the outstanding Victorians recognised tonight at the 2016 Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
Patron for the awards and Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos joined more than 500 guests at the Awards Gala Presentation Dinner in Docklands to celebrate the achievements of young Victorians who are making a real difference in our community.
Ms Mikakos presented the 2016 Young Achiever of the Year Award to Aimee Marks, a young entrepreneur and founder of TOM Organic, a range of feminine hygiene products using Australian Certified Organic cotton.
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award was presented to the Unite Alliance Program in Dandenong for their work developing awareness campaigns and projects that tackle discrimination of same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people.
The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support all Victorian young people to make their voices heard and to contribute to their community.
This year the Labor Government will release its youth policy framework and engagement strategy to strengthen the opportunities for all young Victorians by building on its significant reform and investment in areas like education, mental health and employment.
The recent Victorian Budget 2016/17 included $850,000 in funding for a new Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program, which will be developed by Aboriginal leaders and organisations to improve opportunities for young Aboriginal people in their communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos
“I’m proud to be a patron of these awards and recognise the outstanding contributions that young people are making across Victoria.”
“Tonight we celebrated the young entrepreneurs, volunteers, scientists, and artists who will play an important role in shaping our communities and state now and into the future.”
“This year our Government will release its youth policy and engagement strategy to ensure all young Victorians are strongly supported to thrive and contribute to the growth of our state.”
The winners of the 2016 Young Achiever Awards are:
- Victorian Young Achiever of the Year – Aimee Marks, ST KILDA
- The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award – Unite Alliance Program of Dandenong, DANDENONG
- The Victorian Government Small Business Achievement Award – Aimee Marks, ST KILDA
- CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award – Sarah Kenworthy, GEELONG
- Bart ‘N’ Print Health and Wellbeing Award – Jeremy Samson, VERMONT
- Victoria University Research Impact Award – Dr Francois Petitjean, CARNEGIE
- The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award – Fablice Manirakiza, NOBLE PARK
- Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award – Robert Gilies, CANTERBURY
- University of Melbourne Science and Technology Award – Dr Julia Marchingo, SURREY HILLS
- AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award – Julia Truong, ST ALBANS
- Bartercard Online Achievement Award – Ashley Davies, WHEELERS HILL
- First National Real Estate Leadership Award – Sheree Rubinstein, ST KILDA EAST