2024 Award Winners

Ollie has lived with lupus since he was 18 months old.
A strong advocate for disability, Ollie has raised over
$100,000 for Telethon as the Little Telethon Star 2021.
He supports various causes, including MSK, Arthritis,
and Osteoporosis WA, and advocates against funding
cuts with the Youth Disability Advocacy Network. As a
City of Melville Youth Advisory Committee member, he
secured a grant for community inclusion workshops.
Ollie has participated in research on pain management
for young people with Curtin University and The
University of South Australia and has been a finalist for
multiple awards.

Casey, a youth worker with over six years in the field,
is the Community Engagement Officer at headspace
Midland. She specializes in early intervention and
prevention by delivering psychoeducation workshops
tailored to young people's needs. Her efforts help
manage mental health challenges and reduce stigma
around support services. Passionate about mental
health, sexual health education, and LGBTIQA+
advocacy, Casey creates safe spaces and provides
leadership opportunities. She has secured over
$96,000 in grants, supporting projects like social
media campaigns and community events.

Amber, a passionate Noongar woman, is a dedicated
advocate for young people and reconciliation. Her
personal experiences drive her commitment to
social change and mentoring. Over the past five
years, Amber has been instrumental in organising
NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week events
and amplifying young First Nations voices. As Chair
of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, she
promotes culturally inclusive practices. Amber also
mentors First Nations trainees, supports young people
through initiatives like Mob Night and the Emerging
Leaders Program, and champions cultural awareness in
various sporting clubs.

Since 2022, Ellie has been a youth peer support worker
with the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF).
Having overcome trauma such as homelessness and
family violence, she aimed to "give back" and help
others navigate their challenges. At ACF, she uses her
lived experience to mentor on self-care, trauma impact,
and job skills like limit setting and case management.
Ellie has also advocated for systemic change by
submitting to the Royal Commission, meeting the
WA Minister for Child Protection, and contributing to
national child abuse prevention strategies.

Emily, an intersectional feminist, combats injustice
through diverse activism. Her journey began in student
politics, focusing on postgraduate mental health. She
supports the LGBTIQA+ community, working with the
City of Rockingham and leading Pride in Peel, which
strengthens regional voices. As the youngest President
of Pride in Peel, Emily was active in the 2023 Yes
campaign. She has facilitated programs like Girls Take
Over Parliament and Reach for the Stars and received
the Zonta International Para Hills Community Service
Award in 2022. Emily also represented at the UN’s
Humanitarian Affairs Asia Symposium in Thailand.

Wadandi Cultural Conservationists Meeka Rees, Joseph
Adams and Josie Percival show a strong commitment
to the health, viability and resilience of land and sea
country. The trio have led the Conservationists group
since its inception as a Cultural Ranger Program in
Pibbulum-Wadandi country in the Margert River region.
Meeka, Joseph and Josie lead projects that transfer
knowledge of Wadandi Country between Wadandi
youth and elders, protect sites from invasive species,
collaborate with community to look after Country and
work towards joint land management with organisations
and government. The trio have demonstrated the
essence of culturally appropriate youth leadership, with
longevity of Country at their core.

As the lead guitarist in their band, Dullhouse, Molly
has combined her passion for music and performing
with community. Molly has created The South West
Setlist - a mission dedicated to creating platforms
and spaces for young, regional, and up and coming
bands in the South West, where there has long been
a gap. Following the recent tornado in Bunbury, Molly
hosted a 'Local Aid' fundraising concert to help those
impacted. From establishing the first and only all ages
events in the South West, to reviving the scene across
tired venues, Molly's connections and skills have
given a platform to regional talent, while involving
disengaged young people in affordable, accessible,
and alternative spaces.

Sharlene and IJ are not only best friends, they're also
the brains behind Sovereign - a podcast that airs on
RTR FM. Each fortnight, the pair bring love and comfort
to the ears of mob among such heavy news cycles.
Yarns about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and
relationships are just some of the topics of discussion,
as well as championing the sovereignty of sisterhood.
Conversations come from lived experience and allow
listeners to find ways to practice mental health care.

The Child Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Youth
Advisory Group (YAG) is the primary consumer advisory
body for young users of CAHS and Perth Children’s
Hospital services. Comprising of 10 members with
diverse lived experiences, the YAG enhances health
services by reflecting young people's needs in clinical
and corporate projects. The YAG Chair is on the CAHS
Executive Committee and co-chairs the Consumer
Leadership Council, ensuring top-level representation.
Their contributions include improving inpatient
food at Perth Children’s Hospital, advocating for
LGBTQIA+SB young people, and refining complaint
management processes.

Raised in the Wheatbelt, 16-year-old Joshua Patrick
has spent a decade caring for his medically complex
sister while managing ATAR studies. He actively
supports other young carers through the Carers WA
Youth Advisory Group and the national Syndromes
Without A Name (SWAN) Siblings support group
he founded. Joshua advocates for young carers
educational needs and trains youth workers. He
collaborates with government and organisations on
the Carer Gateway and Young Carer Bursary Program
and will soon launch the Youth Action initiative with
Young Carers South Australia. His experiences have
fuelled his commitment to creating a supportive future
for young carers.

Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services empowers
young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds,
aged 14 to 25 in Perth. Through ongoing education
in schools and communities, Ishar addresses
important topics like healthy relationships, nutrition,
family violence, and women’s rights. In 2023, Ishar
launched the EmpowerHer Program in Mirrabooka and
Cannington, responding to the need for connection
among young people accessing their services. This safe
space allows young girls to express themselves and
gain health knowledge. Ishar collaborates with over
20 stakeholders, including young people, to design
impactful services that meet community needs.