Young Victorians have been celebrated for their outstanding achievements at tonight’s 2017 Victorian Young Achiever Awards gala presentation dinner.
Awards Patron and Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos joined guests in celebrating the young finalists’ leadership skills and achievements in a range of fields including volunteering, social activism, scientific research and art and fashion.
Ms Mikakos presented the overall 2017 Young Achiever of the Year Award to youth activist Laura Pintur, who is a co-founder of the ‘What’s Normal’ program. The program educates young people about issues relating to pornography and its impact on the community.
The winners of the 2017 Young Achiever Awards are:
- Victorian Young Achiever of the Year Award - Laura Pintur, Mount Eliza
- The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award - Y-House Foundation Junior Committee, Elsternwick
- Bartercard Online Achievement Award - Morgan Ranieri, Brunswick East
- Victoria University Research Impact Award - Dr Sumeet Walia, Melbourne
- The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award - Lisa Cheney, Fitzroy North
- CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award - Alphonse Mulashe, Norlane
- WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Award - Mark McDonald, Melbourne
- Bart ‘N’ Print Health and Wellbeing Award - Jessie-Anne Kenworthy, Geelong
- First National Real Estate Leadership Award - Nick Pearce, Box Hill
The Andrews Labor Government is a proud supporter of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards through its sponsorship of the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award.
This award recognises young people who have worked together to provide a service, program or project for young people that has resulted in positive, youth-led changes in a local community.
Ms Mikakos presented the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award to the Y-House Foundation in recognition of their work supporting young people who live in aged care facilities after experiencing a traumatic brain or spinal injury.
These awards reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment through the Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria to recognise young people’s achievements and better connect young people with their communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos
“I congratulate every young person nominated for an award. You are all making a real difference to our state and it’s important that we celebrate your contribution to Victoria.”
“These outstanding young Victorians are proof - regardless of your age - you can help shape our community and make a real difference.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020