VICTORIA

7NEWS Young Achiever Awards VIC

Community Bank Doncaster East & Templestowe Village, Bendigo Bank Connecting Communities Award

Community Bank Doncaster East & Templestowe Village is passionate about connecting with and supporting local communities and those right across Victoria, bringing people together to create a brighter future. 

The Connecting Communities Award celebrates young individuals or groups that are driving grassroots, ‘real life’ initiatives that demonstrate genuine connection, engagement and add long-term value to local communities.

These initiatives may meet a specific need or simply be a fun way to celebrate being part of a community. This includes fostering a strong sense of community spirit and enhancing the way people connect within the community.

The Connecting Communities Award is open to individuals, or a group of two or more young people. Nominees for group nominations must be able to demonstrate that those leading the group and driving the initiative, are within the age criteria (up the age of 30, as of 31/12/2025 per the Conditions of Entry).

  • Provide a brief background and history of the group and key participants (including ages), and how their initiative is “Connecting Communities”.
  • Outline the short and long term goals of the group and their achievements to date. Provide details on whether goals are being achieved, or what plans are in place to get there.
  • Demonstrate the value of the initiative to the local community. You can use media clippings, testimonials, photos (provide links or utilise the Attachments section) as well as commentary to respond.
  • Provide details of any challenges and/or obstacles that have had to be overcome and how this has been achieved.
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
The IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award recognises young people that have demonstrated environmental leadership or a significant contribution to a sustainable Victoria.  The award celebrates young people who have demonstrated initiatives in the efficient use of water, resources and energy, better waste management and recycling practices, the enhancement of the environment and effective, practical community action. These young people will stimulate ideas about sustainability and the environment in their community, sharing solutions and identifying strategies for change in the future. If you know an outstanding young person contributing to innovation or services that reduce environmental impacts and leadership through educational programs, nominate them for the Environment Sustainability Award.
  • Provide a brief background and history of the initiative or project 
  • Describe the current environmental impact/issues on a local, national or world scale 
  • Outline how the nominee has displayed management, leadership/innovation skills on the various projects
  • Identify range of groups and number of people involved within the project/program
  • Level of any past or future sacrifices made or difficulties to overcome
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Josh's Rainbow Eggs Ethical Business Award
At Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, we provide a unique offering, as we are an ethical, environmentally sustainable business, with a great story! Find out more about our truly free range, ethical eggs and how it all started, at www.joshsrainboweggs.com.au.
 
Through the Josh’s Rainbow Eggs Ethical Business Award, we want to share the stories of other young Victorian business owners who are prioritising more than just profits, with a focus on contributing to the community and using business as a force for good.

After being named the IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award winner, as part of the Young Achiever Awards in 2019, Josh is passionate about supporting other young people in their ethical business journey. 

The Josh’s Rainbow Eggs Ethical Business Award is open to young business owners, or young employees driving ethical business practices and improvements, in small to medium enterprises, start-ups, not-for-profits, charities and non-government organisations. 

  • Provide a brief overview of the business/organisation and/or the nominee's position/role
  • Detail how the individual has implemented ethical practices in the business/organisation and what the outcome of these practices has been.
  • Describe how the nominee has contributed to their industry, and/or local and wider community through their ethical business practices.
  • Use links in this section, or upload supporting document to the “Attachments” section to provide back-up and evidence to your written submission (e.g. photos, testimonials, reports, etc).
  • Provide examples of the nominee’s commitment to ethical business. Outline any challenges that have been encountered and how they have been overcome.
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Kangan Institute’s Inspirational TAFE Student Award recognises an individual enrolled in a TAFE course that has overcome adversity to find success in their educational field. The individual will need to provide evidence of their disadvantage and the initiative and determination they showed to find accomplishment, either employment or academic. This Award acknowledges young people whose passion, drive and willingness to learn and work hard has helped them create opportunities and achieve excellent outcomes in their chosen field 
  • Outline the nominee’s profile to date – course description and/or relevant employment 
  • Describe how the nominee has overcome a disadvantage to achieve success relevant to their education or career path 
  • Outline how the nominee has shown initiative in their educational journey
  • Outline how the nominee has shown determination in their educational journey
  • Outline achievements that show commitment to the nominee’s personal, educational or career development 
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award

This award recognises Young Australians who’re pursuing their careers with passion and vitality, showing motivation, drive and determination to succeed in their chosen field of work or interest. 

Whether they are striving to ascend a corporate ladder, progressing from apprentice to workshop manager, or have a focus on proactivity and innovation in the workplace, the award recognises those that are showing that career success can start, and grow through work in any role.

The Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award promotes innovation, high achievement, hard work, leadership, and a desire for self-improvement. The award also recognises career work that includes or benefits the nominee’s local or wider community. 

The Award will reward those who make the most of their opportunities and seeks information from the nominee in regard to;

  • Background of Career profile
  • Has the nominee shown creativity, innovation, entrepreneurial skills?
  • Examples of initiative, planning, management and leadership
  • Outline any personal development
  • Length/sustainability of position
  • Describe any community participation, involvement and contribution
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Little Gigs "Little Victorian's" Achiever Award
Little Gigs Australia is a Melbourne Performance Agency for professional young child artists, from
music to dance and circus street performers. Our mission is to help children gain a performance
edge, reach their potential and authentically shine!

We are committed to young people striving to be the best they can be, in all areas of life.
Encouraging a growth mindset, Little Gigs is especially invested in children who can demonstrate
putting family & community first, and ways that children show initiative and passion for a cause
‘bigger' than themselves.

This award will shine a light on our most valued younger achievers and we encourage nominees aged
14yrs and under to apply, so we can celebrate “Little Victorians” and their BIG achievements!
  • Provide a brief outline of key achievements to date – from performances to sports awards,
    community involvement, starting a business or launching a product/service.
  • Describe how the nominee has approached the demands and challenges faced, to achieve
    these outcomes.
  • Outline how the nominee has shown initiative in their achievement journey.
  • Outline how the nominee has shown determination and focus along their way to
    achievements.
  • Highlight moments that show a sense of community, thinking outside the box to impact their
    world.
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your
    achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and
    onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Luminary Tech Visionary Award

It’s time to highlight the next wave of visionaries – young people harnessing technology to lead the way with ground-breaking ideas that positively impact the way we live. Change is needed and a platform is required for young people to thrive and have access to a pathway for their visionary ideas to become reality.

As a digital agency, Luminary strives to use digital technology to create experiences that make the human experience brighter. Through the Tech Visionary Award, Luminary will support young people who are inspiring or influencing others in the field of digital. They may have a fully functioning product, service or program, or it might just be a killer idea that’s just waiting for its moment to shine. The Luminary Tech Visionary Award will recognise young people demonstrating creative thinking and making a significant contribution and social impact through the use of digital.

  • Provide an overview of the product, service or program and how it utilises digital technology.
  • Detail how the idea for the product, service or program came about.
  • Outline the social impact of the product, service or program.
  • Provide evidence of the progress that has been made so far (for initiatives at the concept stage, provide a detailed business plan).
  • Outline any challenges that have been (or are currently being) faced along the way to realising the vision.
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner. 
MEGT Early Career Skills Champion Award
Young people around Victoria are pursuing exciting careers, developing the skills that are shaping Australia’s future and becoming future leaders and innovators. 

The MEGT Early Career Skills Champion Award encourages and supports young people actively engaged in an apprenticeship, traineeship, workplace-based learning program, internship, or cadetship, who are embracing learning opportunities, gaining real-world experience, and showing curiosity and initiative. 

MEGT is proud to celebrate Nominees demonstrating a strong commitment to developing the skills considered essential for Australia’s future workforce (including in industries such as trades, defence, IT, care and clean energy) whilst making a meaningful contribution to their workplace, industry, or community.
  • Outline the Nominee’s early career background (e.g. current role and industry, prior work experience, interests and skills, career path, etc.) and provide details on how they are actively in an apprenticeship, traineeship, workplace-based learning program, internship, or cadetship.
  • Provide examples of how the nominee has demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, upskilling, or gaining hands-on experience.
  • Why is the Nominee a “Skills Champion” (e.g. how have they excelled in their role)? Describe any qualities have they displayed: initiative, work ethic, willingness to learn, etc.?
  • Has the nominee made a meaningful contribution to their workplace, industry, or community?
  • Describe any challenges or difficulties the nominee has encountered and how they have been, or are being overcome.
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
The Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award recognises young people serving their communities through community service and social enterprise.  The Award celebrates young social entrepreneurs, who apply their skills and time to the needs of others and who seek innovative solutions to address social issues. They show humility, dedication and selfless leadership for the causes they care about. No matter what challenges are facing the community, these young people are passionate about finding innovative and enduring solutions to make a real difference. 

These young people are not only at the forefront of caring and accomplishment, but are also contributing to the community by achieving their goals through hard work and perseverance and are wonderful role models for us all.
  • Length of service and commitment 
  • Organisations supported and who has benefited from the contribution
  • Barriers and difficulties and how they have been overcome
  • Nature and impact of the individual’s position
  • Innovative approach to social issues 
  • Contribution to lasting solutions and sustainability
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award recognises young people who have worked together as a group to provide a service, program or project for other young people, which is based on consultation and engagement with young people and has resulted in positive, youth-led changes in a local community. 
  • Describe the group – is it a youth advisory group for local government or for a community organisation; is it an advocacy group, is it a representative group, is it a peer support group?  
  • How long has the group been operating and what is its composition, including numbers participating, age range and how representative the group is? 
  • What are the objectives of the group and what programs, projects or activities have been undertaken? 
  • How has the group engaged other young people in its programs, projects and activities?
  • What have been the achievements of the group and what has been the impact in the community? 
  • What leadership, management and time commitment has been involved for members of the group? 
  • What challenges or barriers have been experienced and how they have been overcome? 
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination; highlighting your achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.
Turosi Food Solutions Farming and Agriculture Rising Star Award
Turosi Food Solutions believes quality food starts on the farm, so we are very excited to introduce the Turosi Food Solutions Farming and Agriculture Rising Star Award! This award will acknowledge young Victorians that are making a difference in the farming and agriculture industry. These rising stars are motivated, displaying leadership and making in the industry, and/or the wider community.

Nominees for this award can be involved in any area of farming or agriculture, such as plant and animal industries, field crops, horticulture, forestry, livestock and more. This also includes production, education, research, development, innovation, natural resource management, trade and export. Giving back is in our culture, so the Turosi Food Solutions Farming and Agriculture Rising Star Award presents an opportunity for us to acknowledge those who play a part in shaping our farming and agricultural community in Victoria.
  • Provide background information on the nominee, for example how they got started in the industry, any achievements, self-development/training, etc.
  • Describe the nominee’s contribution to the farming and agricultural industry and/or wider community.
  • Outline how the nominee is a rising star in farming and agriculture.
  • Has the nominee faced any challenges or difficulties and if so, how they have been overcome?
  • In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise the nomination; highlighting achievements and impacts made. This summary will be used for all media purposes and onstage presentations at the gala dinner.