Being part of the Tasmania Young Achiever Awards has been an incredibly rewarding and inspiring experience. To be recognised alongside so many passionate, dedicated, and hardworking young people from across Tasmania was both humbling and empowering.
The Awards are about so much more than recognition. They shine a light on the amazing contributions that young people are making in their communities every day. Through the process, I had the opportunity to reflect on my own journey, the challenges I have overcome, and the positive impact I have been able to make through community involvement, leadership, and volunteering. It reminded me how important it is to celebrate achievements, no matter how big or small they may seem.
One of the most valuable parts of the experience was connecting with other young Tasmanians who are creating positive change in their own unique ways. Hearing their stories was inspiring and reinforced the fact that there are so many incredible young people quietly making a difference across our state. The Awards create a platform where these stories can be shared, celebrated, and recognised.
The Tasmania Young Achiever Awards also help build confidence. Being nominated and recognised for your efforts can be a powerful reminder that the work you are doing matters and that the time, energy, and passion you invest in your community does not go unnoticed. It encourages young people to continue pursuing their goals, stepping into leadership opportunities, and believing in their ability to make a difference.
I would strongly encourage anyone who knows a young person making a positive impact to nominate them. Whether they are volunteering, leading projects, supporting others, running a business, advocating for change, or contributing to their community in any way, they deserve to be recognised. Likewise, if someone suggests nominating you, don't hesitate to say yes. The experience is incredibly worthwhile and can open doors to new opportunities, connections, and personal growth.
The Tasmania Young Achiever Awards celebrate the very best of Tasmania's young people and the positive future they are helping to create. I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the program and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a nomination.
Being nominated was an honour, but the greatest reward was the opportunity to reflect on my journey, connect with young inspiring people, and realise just how much can be achieved when you are passionate about making a difference in your community. The experience reminded me that every contribution matters, and that by working together, supporting others, and stepping forward when opportunities arise, young people have the power to create meaningful and lasting change. I will always be grateful for the experience and the encouragement it provided to continue making a positive impact in my community.
Kalani West, 2026 Winner of teh Take a Minute Health and Wellbeing Award
Like many others, I have been reluctant to put up my hand when it comes to awards, and quick to beat a retreat when the spotlight turns my way. But when you are passionate about something, and working hard to make a dream into a reality, sooner or later you have to step outside your comfort zone and take the leap. Leadership Awards are particularly challenging, because the spotlight is definitely directly on you, rather than on the business, charity or project you want to promote. Having said that, I strongly urge you to take your toe out of the water, and jump right in instead. The entire process will give you so many insights and tools that will help you achieve your goals. That very first step of putting your process and achievements into words is probably one of the most valuable gifts you end up with … the opportunity to celebrate your wins, learn from your mistakes, and become an observer of your project. That alone is worth the time it takes to enter. If you are fortunate enough to become a finalist, you find yourself amongst other leaders, learning from them, sharing stories, making new friends and finding mentors. And if you win? Wow! That special project, that dream you have been working on - suddenly you have the opportunity to shout about it and there is a whole new audience there waiting to listen … Amongst my projects and passions, I have a social enterprise called Mongarlowe Gourmet, and Chair a fledgling charity called Wagging tails Community. After drought, fires, flood and covid and doing what I could to contribute towards the survival of my community, I was exhausted. I wanted to crawl into the closet and shut the door and ignore the world. But the awards reminded me of how passionate I am about the things that I do, and why I do it. And I am amongst a tribe of others who are the same. It is renewing, and inspiring, and I am achieving things I could not have done if I hadn’t taken that first step. If you are reading this, you have already begun the journey. Keep going - you will be so glad you did!
Suzanne Gearing
2020 TransGrid Leadership Award Winner
“Our work with Geoff, Kristi, and the team at Awards Australia Southern (AAS) reduced demand on our resources significantly by managing the many aspects of our State-wide forum of just under 500 registrations (a record for us). The communication and service delivery provided to us exceeded our high expectations. We achieved all our goals with AAS and for our first time event where we were also at centre stage, they helped us to keep everyone happy, deliver the expected results, and deal with the unknown and unanticipated items throughout the journey. We will be using AAS for all our future needs.”
Jessica Murrowood, Sector Development Manager, ER Victoria
Emergency Relief Victoria Forum
"Awards Australia was selected to organise the statewide Corrections Victoria Community Work Partnership Awards for 2013 and accepted the request to do the same in 2014 and 2016. The result on both occasions was the organisation of a very professional, catered event, with high participant ratings on all aspects. Awards Australia staff worked together with a reference group from Corrections Victoria, delivering on a timetable of milestones. They were prompt, accessible, and responsive to requests and suggestions from the Reference Group. They produced a booklet of information relevant to the Awards, plus professionally designed invitations, agenda, PowerPoint Presentations and Awards Certificates and Trophies. These Awards are complicated to organise, full of details and opportunity for mishaps, but I can confidently commend the way in which Awards Australia operated to nevertheless achieve the desired outcome."
Jennifer Cameron, Statewide Manager Community Work
Community Correctional Services, Corrections Victoria