TASMANIA

Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards

2026 Winners

 

All Winners celebrating their achievement. 

 

2026 Premier's Young Achiever of The Year - Dr Abigail De Waard

Romany Wake, Founder, Rachel's Voice and 2025 Premier's Young Achiever of the Year (left) and 2026 Winner, Dr Abigail De Waard (right)

 

Bentleys Tasmania Future Impact Award - Championing Sustainability

Ruby Fox of South Hobart is passionate about delivering innovative, system-level solutions that integrate environmental, social and governance outcomes. Ruby led the design and implementation of a refillable milk tap program, reducing single-use waste while improving affordability and access to sustainable food for students. Securing funding through the City of Hobart Youth Climate Action Fund, Ruby collaborated with university teams, local producers and community partners to deliver lasting impact. Ruby also actively advocates for sustainable systems through panels, forums and student engagement, influencing behavioural change and broader climate conversations. She fosters a culture of shared responsibility, empowering young people to lead meaningful sustainability action.

 

Winner, Ruby Fox (left) and Brendan Lovell, Director of Sustainability and Assurance, Bentleys Tasmania (right)

 

Heather & Christopher Chong Community Service & Volunteering Award

Jack Oates Pryor is helping shape a more inclusive, participatory and sustainable future for education across lutruwita. Jack has been elected for a second term as the President of the Tasmanian University Student Association, representing more than 30,000 students. Through relational and values-driven leadership, he has led significant organisational reform, strengthening governance, financial sustainability, and the delivery of student services, events, and advocacy. His leadership in the “Students as Partners” initiative provided a transformative model embedding students as co-creators in university decision-making. Jack also actively engages with government, media, and community organisations to amplify student voices. He is a committed community leader, volunteering for and serving diverse student needs.

Winner, Jack Oates Pryor (left) and Heather Chong, Councillor, Clarence City Council (right)

 

Home Base Courage to Grow Award

Henry Wolf of Hobart is a compassionate young leader. Henry overcome poverty, trauma and cultural displacement after migrating from the Philippines. Despite significant challenges, including family instability and becoming the primary provider at a young age, Henry excelled in education, graduating Year 12 with exceptional attendance and multiple awards. He achieved Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, maintained steady employment in hospitality with progression into leadership, and actively contributed to school and community initiatives. Now living independently, Henry is commencing the University of Tasmania’s University Preparation Program, with aspirations across multiple career pathways. His achievements demonstrate and a strong commitment to building a positive future.

Winner, Henry Wolf (Right) and Angela Abbott, Chief Operating Officer, Home Base (Left)

 

MAIB Excellence in Leadership Award

Rhianna Farnan of Hobart is committed to supporting women and building connections. Rhianna is a pioneering leader in Tasmania’s finance sector, founder, and Director of Derwent Finance, the state’s largest mortgage broking firm. Starting the business at 19, she has grown it into a national success, offering flexible employment opportunities, especially for women. Rhianna advocates for financial education, reaching millions through TikTok, and has significantly impacted mental health awareness with her "Let’s Be There" event, raising $30,000 for suicide prevention. As State President of the Finance Association of Tasmania, she ensures the state is represented at a national level. Rhianna also leads mentorship programs.

Kelly Ireland, Manager Claims, MAIB (left) and Winner, Rhianna Farnan (right)

 

Motors Tasmania Sports Award

Maddison Brooks of Howrah is committed to growing women’s hockey. Maddi served as the captain of the Jillaroos, Australia’s U21 Women’s Hockey team last year. In 2025, she led the team to a victorious campaign at the Four Nations tournament in Berlin and captained them at the Junior World Cup in Chile, where they finished 7th. Maddi also contributes to the Tasmanian sporting community, coaching at the Tigers Hockey Academy and supporting Cricket Tasmania’s game-day activations and school-based programs. Her leadership on and off the pitch has earned her recognition as one of Australia’s top young players. Maddi actively engages with the community to grow the sport.

 

Left photo: Presenter: Steve Feltham, Dealer Principal, Motors Tasmania with Representative Ilene Carr 

Right Photo: Winner Maddison Brooks

 

Raw Strength Sports in the Community Award

Stanton Burtt of Devonport, at just 14 is a powerful example of resilience, leadership, and heart. Excelling in Taekwondo, soccer, and futsal, he earned his first black belt at 9 and recently achieved his 2nd black belt through dedication and perseverance. Stanton mentors younger students, inspiring confidence and discipline. He has represented Tasmania in national futsal and gives back as a coach with Devonport Junior Soccer Club and referee with Football Tasmania. Despite living with hip dysplasia, Stanton continues to push forward. As a youth leader and mental health advocate, he is committed to uplifting others and creating lasting positive change.

Winner, Stanton Burtt (left) and Matthew McKay, Owner, Raw Strength Tasmania (right)

 

Spirit of Tasmania Tourism and Hospitality Award

Tim Harmsen of Hobart successfully revived the annual Tasmanian multisport event – the Winter Challenge and has led it to becoming regarded as a flagship Tasmanian Off Season event and tourism drawcard. By rebuilding this event, he has reshaped what winter means for Australians, while generating meaningful economic impact for regional communities. Tim’s initiatives include women specific training programs, family categories, and more recently, inclusion of the official Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships, to ensure everyone feels that they belong at the event. His commitment to mental health awareness, community connection and accessible participation has shaped a unique event culture.

Winner Tim Harmsen and Presenter Tom Wooton, General Manager - Retail & Hospitality, Spirit of Tasmania 

 

St Lukes Healthier Communities Award

Dr Abigail de Waard of Hobart is passionate about equitable healthcare. Abigail works as a doctor with the Tasmanian Health Service providing care across multiple specialties at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Her work spans acute, maternity and community-based services such as Hospital at Home. Dr Abigail contributes to research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and delivers health education to migrant and refugee communities through The Water Well Project. She is involved in mentoring the next generation of doctors. She has special interests in women's health and improving access for Tasmanians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and rural areas.

Winner Dr Abigail de Waard with Presenter Paul Lupo, CEO, St Lukes

 

TADPAC Print Service to the Disability Sector Award

Rosie Putland is a proudly disabled accessibility leader from Burnie, driving systemic change across Australia. As co-founder and principal consultant at Modality Co, she works with organisations to embed accessibility into digital systems from the ground up. Alongside her role as Community Engagement Coordinator at Children and Young People with Disability Australia, Rosie leads national campaigns and creates short-form videos that translate complex policy into accessible, engaging content. She is also the host of the Crip Culture podcast and co-founder of the Tasmanian Accessibility Community. Through her work, Rosie redistributes resources and champions disability-led change to build more inclusive systems.

Jeremy Pettet, Executive Officer, Uniting Tasmania (left) and Winner, Rosie Putland (right)

 

 

Take a minute Mental Health and Wellbeing Award

Kalani West of Wynyard is a proud Birpai and Ngarabal woman whose lived experience with anxiety and developmental delay has shaped a powerful career in youth mental health advocacy. A founding member of the headspace Youth Reference Group from 2020–2023, Kalani contributed to service co-design reaching over 100 students across the North-West Coast. Through Waratah–Wynyard Council Youth Leaders and Live Well Tasmania, she has delivered community events from drive-in movie nights to the Sisters Beach Emergency Preparedness Expo, attended by 60 residents. In 2026, she was invited to join the Mental Health Council Youth Advisory Group. A qualified Bronze Medallion holder and Certificates II and III in Community Services recipient, Kalani has contributed over 860 hours to her community. 

Laura Martin, Senior Manager of People and Programs, Mental Health Council of Tasmania (left) and Winner, Kalani West (right)