Sara Manning 23 years

Sarah is a major contributor to the Tennant Creek and Barkly region, particularly with youth and remote area communities. As manager of Tennant Creek Public Library, she has actively promoted the use of libraries and improved literacy levels. Sarah was a representative on the 2005 Chief Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians. She is responsible for organising youth activities and is a driving force behind National Youth Week. Sarah is youth leader of the Tennant Creek Youth Development Unit and youth adviser on the Barkly Youth Forum organising / planning committee.

Katharina Fehringer 22 years

Katharina is known in Darwin as a well-respected classical guitarist, violinist, music teacher and performing artist. She was recently invited to audition for the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received a guitar scholarship and was invited to record a CD compilation of 19th Century guitar music. In 2005 Katharina was the only Australian invited to perform with The Netherlands Guitar Orchestra touring Europe. Katharina is a violinist with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Charles Darwin University Chamber Orchestra and various other ensembles.

Danni Miatke 18 years

In July 2005, Danni became World Champion in the Women’s 50m Butterfly at the 11th FINA World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada. She then returned home to win the 50m butterfly and claim third in both the 100m butterfly and freestyle events at the 2005 Telstra Australian Short Course Championships. Danni qualified for her first long course World Swimming Championships with a stunning victory in the 50m butterfly at the 2005 Telstra Trials in Sydney. She will soon compete at the 2006 World Short Course Championships in Shanghai.

Yasmin Antwertinger 26 years

After completing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yasmin developed an interest in environmental chemistry and was offered an honours project by the Charles Darwin University researching the distribution of copper in seawater. Yasmin’s current PhD project investigates the use of corals as bio-monitors of water quality and the marine environment. This study is focused on environmental management and will provide information about past and current pollution levels of Darwin Harbour’s ecosystem. Yasmin aims to become a research scientist in the field of environmental chemistry.

Anthony Sherwell 26 years

Anthony started his own business, Terror Byte, at the age of 16 whilst he was a year 11 student at Hight School. In his first 12 months he sold computers and laptops to the staff and students of his school turning over $80,000. After completing a small business management course, Anthony developed his business plan to provide onsite assistance. Anthony and his staff have helped streamline or manage the operations of many local small businesses and have built a mobile computer lab with trainers available to fly to remote communities.

Kate Mounsey 26 years

Kate’s current PhD research with the Charles Darwin University investigates the issue of emerging drug resistance in scabies. The molecular tools developed in Kate’s project will enable the assessment of drug treatment failures and assist in the development of more sensitive methods of monitoring resistance in the community, including the potential for reversing it. Kate’s work contributes to an overall Healthy Skin program which aims to eradicate endemic scabies in northern Australian Aboriginal communities. She works with the Royal Darwin Hospital to monitor treatment progress and increase public awareness.

Rebecca Mahony 26 years

Rebecca actively promotes Northern Territory produce and the provision of safe working conditions for the Territory’s harvest industry. She has helped acquire basic infrastructure for rural areas including communications, electricity and suitably sealed road networks which are vital for the safe handling and distribution of fresh food. Recently Rebecca represented the Northern Territory at the National Young Farmer’s Forum in Canberra and attended export market development training. In 2005, she became vice-president of the Northern Territory Mango Industry Association. Rebecca also operates her own successful fertiliser and agronomy business.

Alice Chang 25 years

Alice is known throughout the community for her contribution towards advancing multiculturalism and counteracting racism through the Multicultural Council Northern Territory. Alice is a representative for the Australian Medical Association. She was also a member of the 2005 Chief Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians and the face of National Youth Week 2005. Recently Alice was appointed as the youth delegate for the Australian National Commission to attend the 4th UNESCO Conference. On returning, she set up a youth network for young Australians to advocate the rights of young people internationally.

Katharina Fehringer

Age: 22 years