VICTORIA
7NEWS Young Achiever Awards VIC
2023 Winners of the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Victoria
2023 Overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
2023 Overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year Victor Lin with Belinda Wilson MP - the State Member for Narre Warren North, representing the Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP, The Minister for Youth
Spirit Super Create Change Award
Nathan Lee is passionate about creating equal opportunities for underserved communities. He co-founded Stint, an online community and platform supporting international students in having a fair chance at a future working in Australia. Stint supports over 1,000 international students from over 50 countries and has educated over 260 through career workshops. He is the Director of an NFP, EnAccess Maps, which help users of mobility aids find accessible restaurants.
Winner Nathan Lee (Left) with Tim Lambert, Employer Relationship Manager, Spirit Super (Right)
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Flourish Girl is helping build self-confidence, self-awareness and social connectedness. Flourish Girl is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity. They deliver rites of passage programs to teenage girls and gender-diverse teens aged 13 to 18 years old. Since 2018, Flourish Girl has worked with over 12,500 teens across 84 schools. They delivered close to 150 workshops in 2022 alone.
Winner Fiona Sanford of Flourish Girl (Left) with Belinda Wilson MP - the State Member for Narre Warren North, representing the Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP, The Minister for Youth (Right)
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Phoebe Gardner aims to reshape the global food system. Phoebe co-founded Bardee, an industrial insect breeding company that works with Black Soldier Fly Larvae to provide a circular solution for food waste. Her team collects and receives food waste then transforms it into carbon-positive insect protein and certified organic fertiliser. To date, they have offset more than six million tonnes of CO2e emissions.
Winner Phoebe Gardner (Left) with Estelle Lewis, Group EGM and Strategic Partners, IKON Services (Right)
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Harry Mezger is a neurodiverse athlete and fierce advocate for people living with a disability. His commitment to inclusion and passionate belief in the benefits of sport to disabled Australians has resulted in his appointment to the State Committee and the National Athlete Input Council at Special Olympics Australia. Harry is a popular Athlete Leader and mentor to other intellectually disabled athletes. He has represented Australia in cycling and athletics.
Winner Harry Mezger (Left) with Tom Cao, Director, First National JXRE (Right)
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Courtney Hindle completed her Certificate IV in Mental Health in 2022. She had her field placement hours at Gateway Therapeutic Community, where she is an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) worker who assists clients with their goals and recovery journey. Courtney had to deal with domestic violence and homelessness and had to teach herself to find a pathway and provide for her family.
Winner Courtney Hindle (Left) with Janelle Arena Chief Industry Engagement and Education Delivery Officer, Kangan Institute (Right)
National Protective Services Safety and Wellbeing in the Workplace Award
Rachel Theobald has worked as Health and Safety Representative at ALDI. She ensured that every employee was aware of procedures relating to security and in case of emergency or threat to the safety and wellbeing of staff and customers. Rachel has also worked at McDonald’s, where she facilitated regular safety meetings to identify potential hazards in the workplace and prevent them from reoccurring.
Winner Rachel Theobald - unable to attend the Gala Presentatin Dinner
Yarn Strong Sista Indigenous Achievement Award
Lauren French is advocating for childhoods free from violence where children enjoy equitable and respectful relationships. As a proud Karajarri woman, Lauren uses every opportunity as Head of Education within Body Safety Australia, to work with community. Lauren works with First Nations educators in regional and rural Victoria and involves community in co-design. Lauren spoke at the 2022 Indigenous Wellbeing conference around First Nations’ strengths within child sexual abuse prevention.
Winner Lauren French (Left) with Bob Williams, Director Yarn Strong Sista (Right)
Strategic Alliance Network Small Business Award
Lindsey Dang founded Lindsey's VCE Tutoring, a boutique tutoring company aimed at unlocking students’ academic potential in English and Humanities. Lindsey bootstrapped the business from $0 in capital to a multiple-six-figure annual revenue within a year while completing her Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Arts at Monash. Many of their high-achieving students and scholarship recipients, inspired by their tutors, become mentors themselves to help the next generation of talents.
Winner Lindsey (Trang Linh) Dang (Left) with David Harris, Co-Founder and Board Member, Strategic Alliance Network (Right)
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Arts Award
Brodie Murray is a proud Wamba Wamba playwright and performer, writing stories of Victorian Aboriginal survival. He has written three produced plays - Soul of Possum, Billy’s Choice and The Whisper. He has received two Melbourne Fringe Awards and an Australia Council First Nations Arts Award. A graduate in Aboriginal Performance at WAAPA and current VCA theatre student, Brodie is a regular contributor to the MTC First Peoples Young Artists Program.
Winner Brodie Murray (Left) with Josh Griffin, General Manager, Awards Australia (Right)
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Alex Dekker started Alex Makes Meals as a university student during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Alex Makes Meals produces high-quality and nutritious meals and delivers them to partner organisations that distribute them to those in need. Since its inception, it has produced and delivered over 500,000 meals to homeless individuals, refugees, individuals facing domestic violence, and other vulnerable communities.
Winner Alex Dekker - Unable to attend the Gala Presentatin Dinner
Josh's Rainbow Eggs Ethical Business Award
Ellie Wynhoven - Swim by Elly hand makes swimwear that is intentionally and responsibly created from regenerated ocean waste that was littering the ocean floor. Swim by Elly is a slow fashion brand, with every swimsuit being custom made in Geelong by Ellie and her team. Ellie is paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and ethical swimwear industry by putting caring for people and the planet first in ever choice she makes.
Winner Ellie Wynhoven (Left) with Josh Murray, Founder, Josh's Rainbow Eggs (Right)
HR Gurus Career Achievement Award
Victor Lin is driven to create a meaningful impact. Victor is a doctor and researcher at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He conducts research into novel drugs to treat blood cancer and has presented his works at multiple haematology conferences. Victor is the CEO of Teaching for Impact. He is currently pursuing a Master of Medicine (Critical Care Medicine).
Winner Victor Lin (Left) with Claudine Banal, Surgical Doctor, St Vincent's Hospital 2022 HR Guru's Career Achievement Winner (right)
2022 Winners
2022 Overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year - Tess Guthrie - Whyhive
Tess Guthrie (Guth-ry) 27 of Fitzroy North founded WhyHive, after noticing that not-for-profits often struggle to access and leverage data science due to lack of funding or internal knowledge. WhyHive offers pro bono and low bono consulting to social impact organisations. In July 2020, Tess developed a data science product design to automate common data analytics for not-for-profits and help them quickly understand the impact of their programs/services…
Kat Theophanous MP, State Labor member for Northcote.
Representing the Hon Ros Spence MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister
for Community Sport, Minister for Youth with Tess Guthrie
Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award
Conor Pall, 18 of Mildura is a member of the 2021 Victorian Youth Parliament. His team is formulating a bill to address the issue of ‘Coercive Control’ in intimate partner relationships. Conor organised Mildura’s School Strike for Climate and created safety plans, Covid safe plans and other policies. A proud domestic violence survivor, Conor is a 2022 Young Citizen of the Year - Mildura nominee…
Steve Sweeney, Responsible Investment Manager, Spirit Super with Conor Pall
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Madeleine Buchner OAM, 29 of Brighton founded Little Dreamers in 2009, delivering programs aiming to improve their quality of life. They support thousands of Young Carers through programs like Dream Experiences, The Dreamers Hub online peer support platform, and the Big Dreamers Personal Development program. In 2016, Maddy published her first book, ‘My Brother is Sick Again’, which explores the obstacles Young Carers must overcome…
Peter Shields, Managing Partner, Saward Dawson with Miranda Nash representing on behalf of Madeleine Buchner OAM
Yarn Strong Sista Indigenous Achievement Award
Bonnie Dukakis, 25 of Sunbury is a proud Gunditjmara woman working as Deputy Executive Officer of the Koorie Youth Council. Bonnie has worked at the Department of Justice. She has worked as a case manager with Aboriginal and Torres Islander men on community-based court orders at a Cultural Learning Place. She is the youngest and only Aboriginal mediator for the Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria Gippsland panel…
Annette Sax, Education & Creative Arts Director, Yarn Strong Sista with Bonnie Dukakis
Luminary Tech Visionary Award
Elise Sutherland, 27 of Richmond is the founder and CEO of Stelect which is the smallest high-resolution ultrasound medical imaging sensor in the world. The Stelect technology allows for imaging to occur in places in the human body where this has never been possible before. This aids clinicians in making more informed decisions in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Stelect was born out of The University of Melbourne’s BioDesign Innovation Course…
Marty Drill, CEO, Luminary with Elise Sutherland
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Elise Muller (Mul-ler) 24 of Melton is an international speaker and consultant for creating inclusion, awareness and accessibility. She founded Active Support, a social enterprise that empowers at-risk people with disability by making education and sport accessible and inclusive. Elise is a dual-elite level Autistic Indigenous athlete. In 2019, she received the Victorian Disability Emerging Leader Award and the Australian National Disability Leadership Award for Social Impact…
Ray Ellis, CEO, First National Real Estate with Elise Muller
National Protective Services Safety and Wellbeing in the Workplace Award
Lucy Trembearth 27 of Hawthorn is the Workplace Health and Safety Co-ordinator at Zoos Victoria. Lucy develops key policies and procedures of the OHS framework. Her initiatives include establishing a Safe Operation Procedure in the Veterinarians’ Department for ‘The Safe Transport and Use of O2 Cylinders in Animal Transport Vehicles’ and applying the principles of Safety in Design and Ergonomics to reduce risks to workers getting injured…
Rachaell Saunders, Chief Executive Officer, National Protective Services with Lucy Trembearth
Hydration Movement Healthy Living Award
Body Buddies, 21 of Essendon was founded in 2020 by medical student Aayushi Khillan, after seeing the gap in the current approach towards health education. With a strong education and philanthropic mission, Body Buddies is an initiative that sells soft toys in the shapes of body organs. They launched six initial organs – tooth, lungs, brain, eye, kidney and heart – designed by a team of graphic designers…
Gaya Pedris, Co-Founder, Hydration Movement with Body Buddies
The Bridge Create Change Award
Jasmine Le Tisser 22 of Maryborough has been an intern for the Children’s Tumour Foundation. She used her lived experience of Neurofibromatosis (NF) to organise and coordinate ‘Make NF Shine’, an initiative that brings NF out of the shadows and into the community. In 2021, through Jasmine’s direct efforts and in an Australian first, over 70 landmarks lit up blue and green on World NF Awareness Day…
Mary-Jane Stolp, CEO, The Bridge with Jasmine Le Tisser
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Minus18, 26 of St Kilda is a charity that aims to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. Founded in 1998, Minus18 provides life-affirming youth events, free resources for LGBTQIA+ young people and their families, leadership programs and education for the whole community. In the past twelve months, 2,041 LGBTQIA+ youth have attended their private, interactive events, and 16,000 more tuned in to their digital event livestreams…
Kat Theophanous MP, State Labor member for Northcote.
Representing the Hon Ros Spence MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister
for Community Sport, Minister for Youth with Minus18
Generation Us Career Achievement Award
Dr Claudine Banal, 28 of Marshall is a surgical doctor. She established the Generic General Sciences Examination study group for junior doctors interested in a career in surgery. She has volunteered as a mentor at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She mentored through Diversitat, where she supported high school refugee students from Myanmar (mai-uhn-maa) Dr Banal was a recipient of the 2021 Barwon Best Care Awards in Education Leadership…
Chalerm Tuantab, CEO Melbourne Medicore Group and Managing Director and
Founder of Melbourne Sports Podiatry and Physiotherapy Centre Kew | Oakleigh |
Preston, with Dr Claudine Banal
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Natassia Nicolao, 27 of Carlton founded Conserving Beauty, the first water-responsible brand in Australia. Natassia has created a range of beauty products that were completely free from water, inspired by her belief that waterless formula could offer more for the people and the Earth. Natassia completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biochemistry. She has been awarded as CEO Magazine’s Start-Up Executive of the Year finalist…
Natassia Nicolao - Was unable to attend the Gala.
Divine Gifts Online Achievement Award
Sempo, 23 of Armadale is a start-up that uses blockchain to build more inclusive payment systems for emerging markets. Founded by Tristan Cole, Sempo helps reduce the time required to deliver cash assistance for non-profits. They work in 7 countries, facilitating one million payments a year. They empower over 120,000 people in places like Kenya, Iraqi Kurdistan and refugee camps on the Syrian Border…
Alexia Lo Piccolo, Owner, Divine Gifts with Tristan Cole - Sempo
Qoin Small Business Achiever Award
Tess Guthrie – WhyHive, 27 of Fitzroy North is a social enterprise founded in 2018 for the purpose of democratising data. WhyHive supports organisations to analyse their data and make evidence-based strategic decisions. Their innovative business model allows them to offer pro bono and low bono services to not-for-profits, from program evaluation to using Artificial Intelligence. In 2020, WhyHive was part of the City of Melbourne’s Global Innovation Program…
Bruce Manson, Victorian State Manager, Qoin with Tess Guthrie
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Jessica Stone, 26 of Huntly completed a Foundation Class and a Certificate II in Community Services from Bendigo TAFE before moving into Certificate III in Animal Studies. Jessica lives with Autism and has a learning disability and speech impediment. She has completed a work placement at Bendigo Animal Rescue Centre, where she provided help with walking the dogs, feeding the cats and maintaining a clean environment…
Janelle Arena, Chief Industry Engagement and Education Delivery Officer, Kangan
Institute with Jessica Stone
2021 Winners
2021 Overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year - Timothy Lo Surdo
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Addy Dunkley-Smith, 27 of East Geelong leads with compassion, courage and care. Addy has been part of the Satellite Foundation Community for four years. She has undertaken roles as a peer leader, facilitator, presenter, consultant and youth advocate, interacting with vulnerable children, young people and other stakeholders. Addy has displayed leadership by offering her own story of overcoming very significant challenges about her family and the impact mental illness she has had. Her story is about loss and love, and how it motivates her to give to the community. Addy is enrolled in a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is also an elite rower who has mentored and coached young people.
Generation Us Career Achievement Award
Levi Fernandez, 26 of Carlton North is creating a sustainable and measurable difference in the lives of young people. Levi works with Society Melbourne, a not-for-profit that operates six sustainable social enterprises that create employment, education, housing, community and confidence opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. As a large charity, Society Melbourne has the capacity to support over 30 young people per year. Levi also works with the Youth Team at Moreland City Council, where he has designed and implemented multiple programs for a diverse group of youth in Fawkner. Levi volunteers as a Director of Partnerships at Think Forward, lobbying for a federal enquiry into inter-generational fairness.
Luminary Tech Visionary Award
Bree Pagonis, 29 of Somerville has created an accessible platform that enhances food experiences. Bree co-founded WIRL, a social enterprise that helps women create time, energy and brain space by re-teaching them how to eat. The aim is for users to worry less about food, health and their bodies, and spend more time doing things they love. WIRL focuses on intuitive eating that has positive physical and mental health outcomes. As a social enterprise, a portion of sales go to The Hunger Project Australia, a not-for-profit committed to ending global hunger by 2030. Bree and partner Alicia Holmquest have a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Timothy Lo Surdo, 26 of Richmond is passionate about people-powered change. He is the Founder and National Director of Democracy in Colour - Australia’s first racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour. They run programs tackling structural racism and empower people of colour to shape issues affecting their lives. As a Senior Organiser at United Voice, he co-founded Hospo Voice - a new union of hospitality workers. Timothy has led campaigns at Oaktree and UN Youth Australia. In 2020, he was appointed by the United Nations as a Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals. Timothy is on the Boards of Plan International and Environment Australia, among others.
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Blessing Bags of Skye is committed to helping the most vulnerable community members in times of need. Blessing Bags is a youth-led organisation that provides bags of essential items to people experiencing homelessness. They make up to 500 bags every three months, distributing them through partner organisations like crisis centres or hand-delivered on streets. Each bag contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary items, shampoo, body soap, tissues and a hopeful note of encouragement. Blessing Bags also educates its supporters on key policy issues, hoping to remove the stigma surrounding people experiencing homelessness and promote evidence-based solutions. Since its creation in 2015, it has delivered over 9,000 bags.
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Diyana Habeeb, 24 of Craigieburn is determined to forge a better life for herself and her family. Before arriving in Australia as a refugee from Iraq and Lebanon, Diyana experienced severe hardship and challenges, living on bare essentials. She enrolled in Certificate III in Spoken and Written English to improve her limited English. As part of her learning, she attended work placements, youth camps, excursions, presentations and has been actively involved in “Youth Matters Programs” and in the creation of a class book. To achieve her dream of becoming a nurse, she is currently studying a Laboratory Technology course while working at her local supermarket.
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Stephanie Hall, 28 of St Kilda is empowering Australians to better understand climate change. Stephanie co-created Climate Communicators, a flagship initiative of Monash University’s Climate Change Communication Research Hub, that equips Australian weather presenters to talk about climate change on air - focusing on nothing but facts. They are the first in Australia to operationalise a factual, data-driven climate trend program of information on national television. Stephanie has helped bring together specialists spanning from climate science, communications, visual design, sociology and broadcast journalism. She leads the internal project team, delivers bespoke climate content to more than 18 presenters on three Australian networks and has trained graduate interns.
Budget Car and Truck Rentals Philanthropic Award
Krisha Changrani, 24 of Wantirna South is committed to promoting wellbeing and providing academic support. Krisha co-founded ASHA Lectures, a not-for-profit offering Bodyworks – Health & Wellbeing Workshops and VCE Lectures for Victorian students. The funds raised through these initiatives, totalling over $35,000 to date, are utilised by ASHA Charity, which operates a number of healthcare and education programs predominantly in disadvantaged communities in India. Krisha has worked to organise revision lectures, tutoring sessions, webinars for Victorian students in Years 11 and 12. Currently a University of Melbourne Medical student, she created Bodyworks to teach primary school students about the human body in a fun and interactive way.
Yarn Strong Sista Indigenous Achievement Award
Hollie Johnson, 27 of Churchill is supporting students and educating others. Hollie is a proud Gunnai Kurnai and Monero Ngarigo woman who works for the AIME Mentoring Program in Gippsland. She was the first student to study the VCE Indigenous Languages of Victoria and continued studying Language with a Certificate III. Hollie has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Photography. She runs her own photography business, where she aims to showcase the truth in her work, sharing the rich culture and many aspects of Australia’s First Nations People. She is working towards a degree in Linguistics to teach language within schools and endeavours to support artists.
The Bridge Create Change Award
Jerusha Mather, 26 of Epping has actively campaigned for the rights of people with disabilities to pursue courses and careers despite barriers. A young woman with cerebral palsy, Jerusha co-founded Doctors with Disabilities Australia and wrote an abstract for the Australian Doctors Health Conference. Jerusha challenged the Australian Council for Educational Research, when she filed a complaint with The Australian Human Rights Commission for discrimination on the basis of her disability. This paved the way for others with barriers to challenge a system, whose practices make it impossible for them to succeed. She has also completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Honours).
Oacdigital Online Achievement Award
Adam Stone, 26 of Caulfield is a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Speedlancer, the world’s first platform that helps teams of freelancers collaborate. They have a patent-pending workflow technology, that assembles teams of curated freelancers dynamically and automatically on the fly and have serviced over 1600 clients to date. Adam started an ecommerce website when he was 14 years old, which scaled to over 140,000, paying customers across 209 different countries. When he was 18, Adam won a six-figure contract with TELUS Canada. He is a top 500 Start-ups alumni and was named on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
National Protective Services Health and Wellbeing Award
Jess Mitchell, 26 of Thornbury raises awareness and improves outcomes for people living with complex mental illnesses and psychosocial disability. Across SANE Australia, batyr and headspace Jess’ shares from lived experience in schools, businesses and sports clubs. Jess also developed resources and ran educational workshops about the NDIS for people with mental illness and psychosocial disability through VMIAC. Jess worked to co-design and launch ‘visible’, an arts-based project designed to shine a light on young people’s experiences with mental-ill health. At CYDA, Jess facilitates research and workshops; engaging in systemic advocacy for young people with disability.
Qoin Small Business Achiever Award
Jock Lawrence, 27 of Avenel is helping Australian farmers become more profitable, productive and environmentally sustainable. Jock is the co-founder and CEO of Mobble, a Livestock Farm Management Software, that enables better decisions for agriculture by improving the way farmers record, utilise and communicate data. Mobble thrives on farmer feedback, and Jock personally goes to fields to ask farmers about their biggest pain points in farm management. Their team of six is hired locally. Mobble has been accepted into the Melbourne Accelerator Program and SproutX. A finalist in the Prime Super Agricultural Innovation Award, Mobble now has hundreds of users in Australia and New Zealand.
2020 Winners
2020 Overall Victorian Young Achiever of the Year - Wallace Jin
Yarn Strong Sista Indigenous Achievement Award
Sianna Catullo, 25 of Northcote seeks to educate and raise awareness of the Indigenous culture. A proud Narungga woman, Sianna co-founded Clothing the Gap, a clothing label meant to provide a space for people to come together, celebrate Aboriginal culture and design, and talk about Aboriginal history and social issues. Sianna took part in the Indigenous Marathon Project and trained for six months to finish the marathon in New York. She helped start a national campaign called ‘Free the Flag’ to raise awareness on licensing agreement issues with the Aboriginal flag. Sianna has also helped establish a junior’s side for the Fitzroy Stars, an Aboriginal football club.
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Wallace Jin, 23 of Parkville is passionate about empowering the disadvantaged. Wallace is the CEO at Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement (CHASE), a youth-led organisation dedicated to engaging, educating and empowering disadvantaged Victorians aged 16 to 18 through health education and personal mentorship. As CEO and leader of the CHASE Management Team, he is responsible for the delivery and direction of the program. He has since introduced a new organisational structure to minimise communication bottlenecks and improve opportunities for volunteer’s professional development. Besides being a full-time medical student, Wallace also volunteers with 180 Degrees Consulting, International House Graduate Student Association, Parity Education and Teach for Australia… Congratulations Wallace.
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Madeline Long, 22 of Moorabbin is creating positive impact through education. Madeline is the co-founder of STEMSparX, an EdTech start-up that focuses on delivering immersive STEM learning experience to students in regional Australia through a unique technology-backed approach. STEMSparX has so far assisted more than 500 students to discover the joy of learning and with five-day workshops for high school students. Madeline has been recognised as the 2019 Young Social Pioneer in Education by the Foundation for Young Australians and was a 2018 Melbourne Accelerator Program Velocity Program Innovation Prize awardee. She has a Certificate in New Ventures Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Serena Lee, 24 of Alphington chases opportunities that will make a difference. Serena co-founded Farmwall, an AgTech social enterprise on a mission to transform cities into food producing ecosystems. Farmwall creates small scale indoor vertical farms that grows microgreens with zero packaging waste or food miles, allowing fresh produce to be grown in under-utilised areas. Serena led the crowdfunding campaign that raised $30,000 to kickstart Farmwall. As Company Director, Chief Operating Officer and Manager of the Sydney team, Serena leads urban planning employees and oversees all operational activities. She handles corporate relationships and works closely with Mirvac’s internal innovation team on urban planning projects.
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
CHASE of Melbourne advocates for better health and wellbeing for young people. Adopting the “youths mentoring youths” model, Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement (CHASE) is a not-for-profit run entirely by volunteers. They engage, educate and empower disadvantaged young people through health-related workshops and personal mentorship. The program reaches over 300 disadvantaged Year 11 Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning students annually. Founded in 2013, CHASE has over 110 volunteers from different ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and academic disciplines. They have collaborated with Headspace, Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Smiling Seeds. CHASE received the 2018 Brimbank City Council’s We Are Brimbank Awards for Learning Excellence.
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Heidi Rasmussen, 18 of Point Cook has a passion to improve the lives of animals. After completing a Year 10 work experience at a local veterinary clinic, it became clear for Heidi that she wanted to be a veterinarian. After overcoming declining mental health, she completed a Certificate III in Companion Animal Services through G-Force and The Gordon whilst undertaking Year 11 VCE Studies. She completed practical placement at Direct Vet Services where she now works as a veterinary nurse. Heidi has been named Victorian School-Based Trainee of the Year and runner-up Australian School-Based Trainee of the Year. She is currently studying Veterinary Nursing at La Trobe University.
Luminary Tech Visionary Award
Alexandra Irwin Liu, 25 of Macleod advocates for social inclusion. Alexandra is the founder of Accessibly.com.au, an online social network for people with a disability, helping them find and share accessible bars, restaurants and cafes tailored to their individual needs. Users of the platform can discover, filter, rate and review local places and take part in community life through social engagement and connection. After finding out that the Federal Government had similar initiatives, Alexandra pivoted Accessibly into a location discovery app to help users discover new social spaces. She hopes to transform the hospitality sector so that people with a disability can have thriving social lives.
Generation Us Small Business Achiever Award
Chalerm Tuantab, 26 of Kew demonstrates hard work, passion and commitment. Chalerm started his first podiatry business at age 22. He now has nine staff members, two physiotherapy and podiatry clinics and a specialist footwear store. He just started his fourth business, selling an Allied Health-endorsed massage gun. He is the president of Footscape, a not-for-profit that provides services for the disadvantaged communities across the greater Melbourne region. Chalerm is Head of Medical for numerous National Premier League teams. In 2019, he was a finalist for leadership in management in Allied Health, Allied Health Podiatrist of the Year finalist and an Australasian Most Outstanding Podiatry Services winner.
Budget Car and Truck Rentals Online Achievement Award
Angelo Giuffrida, 28 of Narre Warren is committed to enhancing efficiency. Angelo runs three web hosting and online services, namely, VentraIP Australia, Zuver and Synergy Wholesale. Angelo helped build VentraIP in 2008 and became its CEO in 2013. The company has grown from four to 60 staff in ten years and in 2019, they won Employer of Choice in the Australian Business Awards. Angelo has been elected as a Director on the .au Domain Administrator Ltd. board, giving him hands-on involvement with the policies and guidelines that govern the domain name industry whilst utilising his over 10 years of experience in the online services industry.
The Bridge Create Change Award
Harriet O'Shea Carré, 15 of Castlemaine is a fervent human rights advocate. Seeing as her moral duty, Harriet co-initiated the #schoolsstrike4climate movement in Australia to demand real climate action from political, corporate and social leaders. Harriet, with co-founders Milou and Callum, led students at Castlemaine in September 2018 to strike outside the local politician’s offices and demand fast and big systematic policy change to create a better future. Harriet is a co-winner of the Bob Brown Foundation 2019 Young Environment of the Year Award and the Mount Alexander Shire Youth Leadership Award in Environment. She represented Australia at the United Nations Youth Climate Summit in New York.
2019 Winners
The 2019 Winners with Danny Pearson MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier representing The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Youth, Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence at Flemington Racecourse
Overall Winner - Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
Arun Thomas, 29 of Horsham is an experienced Registered nurse who has a strong focus and passion for leadership, governance and aged care. In 2018, Arun was awarded Victorian state-wide Celebrating Aged Care Leadership Award and became a finalist - Excellence in Leadership by Victorian Healthcare Association for championing resident care and safety. He has established a leadership scholarship as a part of 'giving back' to his Alma Mater to unlock the potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Arun is a Board Director at Stawell Regional Health and an Associate Nurse Unit Manager at Edenhope District Memorial Hospital.
Danny Pearson MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier representing The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Youth, Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence presented Arun Thomas with the 2019 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year Award
Melbourne Studio of Art Young Artist Award
Rose Duong, 27 of Richmond has a passion for sustainability and fashion. Rose supports fashion products with integrity, whether it is sustainable, ethical or local. She owns Clothes Loop, the first fashion platform where customers can shop products and swap them afterwards. Creating true sustainability and raising awareness, Clothes Loop has a retail store and an upcoming online app. Rose lectures about Sustainability and Design at RMIT. She has been working as a User Experience Designer and design consultant for five years. She does pro bono work as design consultant in YBF. In 2014, Rose was a runner up for the Green Innovators award.
Anita Lester, Art Encounters Tutor and Head Illustrator of Encounters Publishing Brock Q Piper, Melbourne Studio of Art and Art Encounters Tutor - Visual Artist presented Rose Duong with the Melbourne Studio of Art Young Artist Award
Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
Claudia Cox, 17 of Berriwillock is dedicated to rural development. She was selected as Rural Youth Ambassador in 2017 where she discussed major issues with the Minister for Education. She was able to secure an $83,000 grant to fund the ‘Rural Inspire’ project, a website that provides information and support to struggling rural students. Claudia was appointed as 2018 Tyrrell College school captain. As secretary and active member of the Sea Lake Youth Group, she organised a community Colour Run to raise funds for the restoration of Green Lake. In 2018, she was awarded a VCE leader finalist for her contribution to her community.
Nat Clohesy, Joint Owner, Academy Graphics presented Claudia Cox with the Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Yasmin Poole, 20 of Williamstown seeks to empower young women to enter politics. She is the Director of Global Business Development for 180 Degrees Consulting, a youth consultancy organisation. As 2018 Chair of the Victorian Government’s Youth Congress, she led the Congress in advising the government about improving youth policy and focus on mental health. Yasmin represented Australia at the 2018 APEC conference and ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. She was also named Plan International and the World Bank Ambassador. A survivor of severe scoliosis, Yasmin won the Zonta International Women in Business Award and was recognised as Victorian Government Joan Kirner Young and Emerging Woman Leader.
Ed Atkinson, National Operations Manager, First National Real Estate presented Yasmin Poole with the First National Real Estate Leadership Award
The Bridge Create Change Award
Georgie Stone, 18 of Bentleigh is an advocate for trans and gender diverse youth. She achieved significant legal reforms since her initial hearing in the Family Court of Australia, resulting in timely access to treatments for trans adolescents. She was also involved in the Victorian Government’s media campaign to support Safe Schools Program. She was featured in numerous media stories and interviews with over a million viewers. Georgie was awarded the 2017 Young People’s Human Rights Medal and was recognised as 2018 Victorian Young Australian of the Year. She was also named Wear It Purple Ambassador and Human Rights Arts and Film Festival Ambassador.
Ausra Wells, General Manager, The Bridge presented Georgie Stone with The Bridge Create Change Award
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Entrepreneurs Movement Club of Pakenham is a youth led organisation, established by seven South Sudanese Australian. EMC aims to connect South Sudanese young people to the community and link them to opportunities to support their further education and employment pathways. Some of their initiatives include the Multicultural Youth Employment Forum, Inaugural African Diaspora Summit, entrepreneurship workshops, soccer tournaments and a homework club. They have engaged over 2,000 young people since 2015. EMC seeks to provide a positive narrative of South Sudanese/African Australian young people amidst negative media portrayal. They encourage participation in education and employment by linking opportunities such as apprenticeships and personal development workshops.
Danny Pearson MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier representing The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Youth, Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence presented Entrepreneurs Movement Club with The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Josh Murray, 18 of Kerrie is enthusiastic about sustainable farming. He started his own free range egg business, Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, at the age of 9 with just 40 hens. Ten years later, Josh has 10,000 hens and has developed the most environmentally sustainable model of egg farming in Australia. He uses state-of-the-art wind and solar-powered mobile sheds and pasture rotation. He regularly gives talks to school children about his egg business and plans to launch a farm education centre. Josh is currently working with researchers and educators to design curriculum materials on sustainable agriculture. He is also writing a children’s book about his story.
George Tahan, Managing Director, IKON Services presented Josh Murray with the IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award
Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Health Achievers Award
Arun Thomas, 29 of Horsham is an experienced Registered nurse who has a strong focus and passion for leadership, governance and aged care. In 2018, Arun was awarded Victorian state-wide Celebrating Aged Care Leadership Award and became a finalist - Excellence in Leadership by Victorian Healthcare Association for championing resident care and safety. He has established a leadership scholarship as a part of 'giving back' to his Alma Mater to unlock the potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Arun is a Board Director at Stawell Regional Health and an Associate Nurse Unit Manager at Edenhope District Memorial Hospital.
Robyn Lardner, Deputy Chair, Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria presented Arun Thomas with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Health Achievers Award
Budget Car and Truck Rentals Online Achievement Award
William Strange, 29 of Abbotsford has a passion for technology. He is the founder and CEO of SPT, a start-up that builds multiple websites such as GameTraka.com, a cloud-based software solution for team sports, currently used by over 25,000 users and 1,000 teams across 100 countries. A GameTraka app is also available for iOS and Android users. SPT was awarded the Top 50 Most Innovative Start up's in the world by the Hype Foundation and was shortlisted by the World of Sport as best Tech product for High Performance. They have successfully closed three capital rounds for Australia's most influential business people and sporting icons.
Helen D’Silva, Executive Assistant to Paul Wheelton AM KSJ, Chairman of the Wheelton Group presented William Strange with the Budget Car and Truck Rentals Online Achievement Award
CFA Volunteer Excellence Award
Teghan Henderson, 22 of Warrenheip is a strong advocate for positive change and inclusion. Teghan plays a pivotal role in the community by supporting families of children with a disability. She is a volunteer at Pinarc Disability Support in Ballarat and encourages other volunteers to join her. The “Interchange Program” at Pinarc, matches a child or young person who has a disability with a host volunteer. The volunteer provides care for the child on a regular basis plus opportunities for friendship and positive experiences. Teghan was the 2018 winner of the City of Ballarat Youth Volunteer Award and the overall City of Ballarat Youth Award.
Gavin Freeman, Acting Chief Officer and Acting CEO, CFA presented Teghan Henderson with the CFA Volunteer Excellence Award
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Lwe Pree, 25 of Long Gully is determined to forge a better life for herself. After fleeing Myanmar and spending most of her life in a refugee camp in Thailand, she arrived in Australia with no English or work skills. With determination, Lwe set out clear study and employment goals and successfully achieved qualifications in English language, health support services, IT, general education for adult, community services and interpretation and translation. She volunteers at the Karen Cultural Social Support Foundation and Bendigo Community Health Service. Lwe is looking forward to earning her Diploma of Community Service and become a qualified community service worker.
Jodie Scoble, Director of Community Services, Kangan Institute presented Lwe Pree with the Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Lorraine Ngwenya, 29 of Burnside Heights is committed to addressing youth unemployment. She is the founder of Useful Link, an organisation that seeks to empower young people in areas of employment, personal development and leadership. Having experienced the issue herself after finishing university, Lorraine dedicates her time by running employment workshops in schools, universities and youth organisations. She also speaks to government and businesses to educate and bring about change. She worked with the Minister of Multiculturalism on the Recruit Smarter Initiative, which seeks to fight unconscious bias in hiring processes. Lorraine has worked with over 2,000 young people in the last 2 and a half years.
Peter Shields, Partner, Saward Dawson presented Lorraine Ngwenya with the Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
2018 Winners
The 2018 Winners with Jenny Mikakos MP, Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs.
Overall Winner - Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
Dan Poole, 24 of Melbourne founded Crepes for Change, a non-profit youth-led social enterprise aimed at eliminating youth homelessness. They provide underprivileged young people with tangible skills and professional development opportunities. Crepes for Change has donated $37,000 to Launch Housing and recently commenced a paid employment program enabling five vulnerable young people to complete 150 hours of paid employment and training. Other initiatives include monthly outreach sessions with 300 Blanket.
Jenny Mikakos MP, Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs presented Dan Poole as the 2018 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Dr Joanna Newton, 28 of Northcote is fostering change in the Australian dairy industry’s adoption of genetic tools and technologies. An advocate for careers in STEM and agriculture, Joanna mentors students and junior scientists, inspiring their pursuit of agricultural journeys. She won the 2017 Dairy Research Foundation Symposium’s Emerging Scientists Award, and an Endeavour Research Fellowship from the Australian Government. She has spoken at international conferences and has helped move an international agricultural climate change motion.
Ray Ellis, CEO, First National Real Estate presented Dr Joanna Newton with the First National Real Estate Leadership Award
WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Award
Maxwell Hertan, 28 of Armadale is founder and director of Megaphone Marketing. He is a Deloitte fast 50 winner, Telstra award finalist and runs one of Anthill’s top 100 coolest companies. The business has doubled year on year and grown to a team of fourteen. Investing in innovative marketing strategies such as giveaways, software building, e-books and digital marketing, they maintain a steady flow of leads for the business.
Loui Nardella, Distribution Manager – Metro, WFI Insurance presented Maxwell Hertan with the WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Award
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Nikolina Mabic, 23 of Williamstown created Spare Capacity. The website and workshops aim to equip young women with holistic self-care tools to combat mental illness. Nikolina is also a graduate filmmaker who advocates for enhanced mental health awareness, prevention and treatment. She was selected into the Foundation for Young Australians Young Social Pioneers 2016 Cohort in the Youth Mental Health stream and awarded Hobsons Bay Young Citizen of the Year 2017.
Peter Shields, Partner, Saward Dawson presented Nikolina Mabic with the Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
Frances Cannon, 25 of Coburg is a multi-disciplinary artist whose works examines themes of contemporary women. Frances’ work has been displayed in many solo and group exhibitions. She has been featured in influential publications including Vogue, HuffPost, Daily Mail, and Frankie Magazine. Frances is a passionate advocate for LGBTQI+ rights, marriage equality and mental health awareness. She has a strong social media following and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
John Lazarou, Director, The Coffee Club presented Frances Cannon with The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
Bartercard Online Achievement Award
Yuma Soerianto, 11 of St Kilda West is one of the world’s youngest and most accomplished app and game developer. He has published six apps and games on the iOS App Store. His latest game, Let's Stack AR! was featured as Game of the Day. Yuma has been coding since he was six and his skills are self-taught. Yuma teaches coding on his YouTube channel and has worked with Apple in teaching programming to children.
Bruce Manson, Franchise Manager – Melbourne Central, Bartercard presented Yuma Soerianto with the Bartercard Online Achievement Award
Berry Street Create Change Award
Dan Poole, 24 of Melbourne founded Crepes for Change, a non-profit youth-led social enterprise aimed at eliminating youth homelessness. They provide underprivileged young people with tangible skills and professional development opportunities. Crepes for Change has donated $37,000 to Launch Housing and recently commenced a paid employment program enabling five vulnerable young people to complete 150 hours of paid employment and training. Other initiatives include monthly outreach sessions with 300 Blanket.
Marg Hamley, Director, Berry Street presented Dan Poole with the Berry Street Create Change Award
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Happy Brain Education of Rowville is a registered charity providing educational, social and mentoring support to disadvantaged young people. They provide heavily discounted academic tutoring and free one-on-one tutoring to refugee students. Happy Brain Education has raised $147,000 for a six-year-old boy’s heart surgery and $60,000 for a CD4 machine and health clinic in Uganda. They are currently working with UNICEF to create innovation labs in Al-Azraq refugee camp in Jordan.
Jenny Mikakos MP, Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs presented Happy Brain Education with The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Health Award
Steffi Patience, 24 of Stawell has volunteered for Survivors of Suicide, a not-for-profit organisation supporting those affected by suicide and Wellbeing Wendouree, assisting disadvantaged students and their families. She organised a fundraiser to start a clothing and blanket drive; and provides extensive mentoring of disadvantaged youth. Steffi continued to volunteer even during a two-year period over which she was homeless. She is an accredited Youth Mental Health First Aider.
Robyn Lardner, Board Director, Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria presented Steffi Patience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Health Award
Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
Darcy McGlade, 20 of Scotts Creek actively improves the quality of life and wellbeing for his local community through his business, Diamer Signs. He was central to a Corangamite ICE Taskforce campaign, volunteering his time and business resources to make awareness-building trailers and billboards. Darcy recently undertook a yearlong collaborative project mapping the local coastline to enable enhanced emergency services response. He sponsors local events, mentors students and has received numerous citizenship awards.
Cr Les McPhee, Mayor, Swan Hill Rural City Council presented Darcy McGlade with the Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
Tom Lobbe, 26 of Emerald advocates for increased awareness and eliminating stigma around mental health issues. Tom has schizophrenia and despite hearing voices almost constantly, learning difficulties and demeanour changes, he has achieved an overall grade of high distinction in his Diploma of Horticulture. Tom runs his own gardening business and volunteers as a mental health ambassador and openly shares his mental health story with others to increase understanding.
Kendall McGrath, National Director – Industry Solutions, Kangan Institute presented Tom Lobbe with the Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award
2017 Winners
The 2017 winners with Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos at the Gala Presentation Dinner held at Flemington - The Event Centre
Overall Winner - Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
Laura Pintur, 24 of Mount Eliza co-founded “What’s Normal”, a program to engage and educate young people about the issues related to pornography and how it impacts our society. Workshops, 'Living in a Pornified Culture', equip young people to be creators of culture, not just consumers. Laura and Collective Shout spear-headed a campaign to remove Zoo Magazine from supermarket shelves, gathering 40,000 signatures and ultimately causing the magazine’s closure. She has numerous written media articles and has appeared on Radio and TV.
2017 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, Laura Pintur with Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos MP
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Laura Pintur, 24 of Mount Eliza co-founded “What’s Normal”, a program to engage and educate young people about the issues related to pornography and how it impacts our society. Workshops, 'Living in a Pornified Culture', equip young people to be creators of culture, not just consumers. Laura and Collective Shout spear-headed a campaign to remove Zoo Magazine from supermarket shelves, gathering 40,000 signatures and ultimately causing the magazine’s closure. She has numerous written media articles and has appeared on Radio and TV.
Bartercard Online Achievement Award
Morgan Ranieri, 27 of Brunswick East is the creator of YourGrocer, an online marketplace. It connects busy grocery shoppers with their local independent shops. YourGrocer delivers hundreds of orders across Melbourne every week and has also started deliveries in Sydney. 150 local businesses are involved to date, providing fresh, quality groceries delivered to the customer’s door. YourGrocer supports small businesses and is helping to revolutionise the way we buy groceries. Morgan was also involved with building Thankyou Water's online presence.
Victoria University Research Impact Award
Dr Sumeet Walia, 28 of Melbourne is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Engineering. He specialises in the use of metal oxides for the next-generation of nano-electronics. His research includes wearable electronics, artificial electronic memories and high-speed transistors. Sumeet has 34 peer-reviewed publicataions, presented his findings at prestigious international conferences and holds three patents. Sumeet was named in the top 10 innovators under 35 in Asia and one of his discoveries featured in the Top 100 innovations list.
The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
Lisa Cheney, 29 of Fitzroy North composes contemporary-classical music. She has worked with The Australian Ballet and both the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. Lisa is completing her PhD in Music and has received numerous scholarships and fellowships. She is also the Faculty Academic Assistant and tutor in music composition and theory. Lisa is the founder of a Women in Composition group and co-curator of ‘Making Waves’, an online listening space dedicated to Australian composers and composition.
The Victorian Govrnment Group Achievement in the Community Award
Y-House Foundation Junior Committee, 25 of Elsternwick assists ‘The Y-House Foundation’ to support young people who have suffered traumatic brain and spinal injuries and are living in aged care. The volunteer Junior Committee assists with the Y-House Foundation’s goal to build a transitional rehab facility for young people. They manage donations, fundraising events, awareness campaigns, marketing and social media. The committee created a successful partnership with burger franchise, Grill’d, holding ‘Grill’d Weekends’, raising $30,000.
CFA Volunteer Excellence Award
Alphonse Mulashe, 18 of Norlane arrived as a refugee in 2010. He has completed Year 11 and as the eldest son cares for and supports his family. Alphonse voluntarily coordinates the Congolese Independence Day and Pako Festa, Victoria’s largest Multicultural Festival. He is a Lions Licola Camp youth leader, a member of his church choir and the Congolese Community Choir where he shares his culture through music. As a Youth Ambassador he mentors young people from refugee and CALD backgrounds.
WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Award
Mark McDonald, 24 of Melbourne co-founded Appster, a multi award winning mobile app development company. Appster is a market leader in Australia and is fast expanding in the USA. They have 350 staff and are on track to achieve $100m a year in revenue by 2018. The Appster University in India puts graduates through an intensive six month course, upskilling them for roles in Appster’s development centre. Appster has developed apps for more than 200 companies and brands.
Mark McDonald represented by Josh Griffin
Bart 'N' Print Health and Wellbeing Award
Jessie-Anne Kenworthy, 23 of Geelong is in her final year of Medicine. She volunteered for several months in a Ugandan health centre, with no electricity or running water. She assisted with delivering babies, vaccinations and helped set up a HIV clinic. Jessie-Anne and her sister created the ‘Light up Mannya campaign’, raising $40,000, and sending 4,000 solar lights to a Ugandan Village. These lights help improve education through home study, reduced costs and stopped fires and burns from kerosene lamps.
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Nick Pearce, 23 of Box Hill has raised $100,000 for the Melbourne homeless community. As CEO and founder of the HoMie (Homeless of Melbourne Incorporated Enterprise) Street Store, $600,000 income has been generated under his leadership. HoMie is a social enterprise creating pathways out of homelessness. The Homeless of Melbourne Facebook page has been heralded as the “most influential social movement in Melbourne”. Nick won the 2015 Big Gun Media Award and the 2016 Australian anti-poverty Award.
2016 Winners of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards
The 2016 winners with Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos at the Gala Presentation Dinner held at The Atlantic Group, Docklands
Overall Winner - Victorian Young Achiever of the Year
Aimee Marks - TOM Organic, 29 of St Kilda created TOM’s Organic, a range of feminine hygiene products using Australian Certified Organic cotton. In 2012 and 2013, TOM Organic was stocked in Woolworths and Coles and is now available in all major supermarkets, being the first time an Australian Organic feminine hygiene product has been ranged in supermarkets across Australia. TOM Organic often donates products to charities and is aligned with a number of not for profits focused on women’s health and wellbeing. Aimee was awarded the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year and won the Australian Certified Organic Young Leader Award in 2014; TOM Organic also won the product wellbeing category in the Green Lifestyle Awards in 2012.
2016 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, Aimee Marks with Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos
CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award
Sarah Kenworthy, 19 of Geelong has been involved in a range of volunteer roles such as the Christ Church meal program, providing breakfast for the homeless and disadvantaged; Café Light, raising money for East Timor, and organising ‘Make a Difference’ at Sacred Heart College, increasing awareness of the less fortunate and fundraising for local causes. Sarah spent six weeks volunteering in a health centre in a remote village in Mannya, Uganda, assisting the HIV clinic. She also commenced a ‘Light up Mannya Campaign’, raising over $14,000 and sending over 1400 solar lights to the village
Acting Executive Director of Learning and Volunteerism, CFA, Kate Harrap presented Sarah Kenworthy with the Young Volunteer Excellence Award
Bart N Print Health and Wellbeing Award
Jeremy Samson, 28 of Vermont developed ‘Time 2 Train’, a program to help assist all ages with autism through exercise and personal training, which travels to local communities and interstate to assist families in rural areas that do not have access to beneficial programs. Time 2 Train has travelled internationally to showcase the program and create awareness of the importance of exercise. Jeremy is an Australian Ambassador for the Autism Network Community Awards, and was awarded third place for ‘Performing Arts’ at the Naturally Autistic People Awards in Canada, Jeremy will also star in the first international feature film based on people living with Autism
General Manager of Bart N Print, Steve Bright presented Jeremy Samson with the Health and Wellbeing Award
Victoria University Research Impact Award
Dr Francois Petitjean, 29 of Carnige was awarded Best Science PhD of 2013, and was titled as the top PhD in Machine Learning for the Period of 2010-2013 by the French-speaking Machine Learning Association in 2014. He then joined the Monash Centre for Data Science, where his research contributions are routinely used at the French Space Agency, Thales Alenia Space and Digital Globe. Francois has presented his research at conferences, seminars and tutorials at the most prestigious venues around the world, and has published more than 20 articles in world-leading conference proceedings and journals. Francois was awarded AIME 2015 Best Paper Award, and received Honourable Mention for the SDM 2015 Best Research Paper.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Research Training at Victoria University, Professor Warren Payne presented Dr Francois Petitjean with the Research Impact Award
The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
Fablice Manirakiza, 26 of Noble Park arrived in Australia eight years ago, and since then has established himself as a creator of influence in the Australian arts scene, working as a rapper, MC, Dancer, Festival Producer and curator. Fablice was awarded the first ever Refugee Scholarship Award from Multicultural Arts Victoria, where he has organised a number of youth arts festivals around Victoria. He is an icon amongst local indigenous youth and has performed workshops across Australia. Fablice was voted Australia’s number one African hip hop act at the South Australian Hip Hop Awards, and voted twice as the Top 100 Influential African/Australians. He is also an official ambassador for the AFL, National Refugee Week, Multicultural Arts Victoria and Melbourne Festival
Director of The Coffee Club, John Lazarou presented Fablice Manirakiza with the Arts and Fashion Award
The Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award
Unite Alliance Program, of Dandenong aims to improve the quality of life of young people who identify as same sex attracted and/or gender diverse. The group meets weekly to develop awareness campaigns and projects that tackle homophobia and discrimination, including the Day of Action and It Starts With Us Project. Youth workers deliver workshops, to increase knowledge and understanding of inclusive practice, which provides for a safer and more inclusive environment throughout the schools and services these young people attend. Social networks are built throughout the program, which provides another level of support, and gives these young people a sense of belonging.
Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos presented Unite Alliance with the Group Achievement in the Community Award
Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award
Robert Gilies, 25 of Canterbury is the founder of six initiatives, which he contributes 60 hours of unpaid hours per week to. HoMie, a non-profit street wear fashion label and clothing retail store, employing individuals experiencing homelessness; The Homeless of Melbourne Facebook Page, changing negative attitudes and the stigma of homeless people; The Yarra Swim Co, creating the first ever Yarra River swimming pool; The Maningrida Indigenous and Remote Outreach Committee, which runs volunteer trips to remote Indigenous communities; Charity Tap, raising money for charities assisting the world’s poorest individuals; and Dream Larger, providing leadership development and education programs in low-income communities overseas. Robert has volunteered as an English teacher in South East Asia, as a youth worker in remote Indigenous communities and at homeless shelters and soup kitchens across Melbourne. Robert is also a HIV researcher, who has presented his research at the International AIDS conference and the San Francisco Liver Conference.
Peter Shields, Partner at Saward Dawson presented Robert Gillies with the Community Service and Social Impact Award
The University of Melbourne Science and Technology Award
Dr Julia Marchingo, 27 of Surrey Hills completed her honours and PhD on the very challenging problem of constructing a quantitative framework to describe T cell behaviour in response to the various stimuli they might encounter during an immune reaction. Julia has presented her research at various conferences both nationally and internationally and has been published in several prestigious journals. She has received various awards for her research, including the Picchi award for Excellence in Cancer Research, the Discovery Award for excellence in Scientific Discovery and the Australian Society for Immunology New Investigator Award. Julia was offered a European Molecular Biology Organisation Long-Term Fellowship to pursue postdoctoral training overseas.
Dean of the Faculty of Science at The University of Melbourne, Professor Karen Day presented Phillip, representing Dr Julia Marchingo, with the Science and Technology Award
AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award
Julia Truong, 22 of St Albans established her own events and production business JT. Production Management, a highly successful business delivering a variety of events such as the Western Chances 10th Anniversary Gala event, Tourism Fest in the West and the Heart Foundation Victoria Healthy Living conference. She then developed her second company JT. Weddings, organising many successful weddings and scoring 5 star reviews on Australia’s biggest wedding directory. Julia has also completed work with various theatre and art productions, including stage manager at White Night Melbourne, and is now studying a Bachelor of Production. Julia speaks to high school students about the importance of education and continues to volunteer with not-for-profit organisations
Group Executive - Strategy People and Performance for AustralianSuper, Jane Foley presented Julia Truong with the Career Kick Start Award
Bartercard Online Achievement Award
Ashley Davies, 23 of Wheelers Hill is the founder and CEO at Tablo, an online publishing platform where you can write and discover great stories. Authors from over 150 countries have published books on Tablo, which they can publish directly to readers. Ashley was also the founder of PhotoGuides.net, a photography blog helping people learn and understand the world of photography. PhotoGuides.net reached 3 million photographers and published an eBook that became the number one photography best seller on Amazon and iTunes. Ashley has her name alongside patents for online publishing processes, and her and her team has made some significant breakthroughs in the publishing technology space.
General Manager for Bartercard, Bruce Manson presented Ashley Davies with the Online Achievement Award
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Sheree Rubinstein, 28 of St Kilda East is the co-founder of non-profit organisation, ‘Think Big’, a women’s networking group with the mission to inspire Gen Y women. Sheree has driven Think Big, which has hosted events with celebrity speakers and over 200 participants. Sheree is also the co-founder and CEO of social enterprise ‘One Roof’, which offers business coaching, mentorship, advice and opportunities to network with a like-minded community, and access to affordable and targeted professional services. One Roof has hosted hundreds of events and workshops, granted scholarships to six social enterprises, and connected many women to legal advice and business connections. One Roof supports a women’s accelerator program called SHE in South Africa, which offers skills training to women and girls with disabilities and integrating them into the workforce. Sheree was selected as the only Australian of 60 social entrepreneurs to attend REALITY Global leadership program in Israel.
Director of First National Real Estate L J Whorlow, Sharon Wharlow presented Sheree Rubinstein with the Leadership Award
Victorian Government Small Business Award
Aimee Marks - TOM Organic, 29 of St Kilda created TOM’s Organic, a range of feminine hygiene products using Australian Certified Organic cotton. In 2012 and 2013, TOM Organic was stocked in Woolworths and Coles and is now available in all major supermarkets, being the first time an Australian Organic feminine hygiene product has been ranged in supermarkets across Australia. TOM Organic often donates products to charities and is aligned with a number of not for profits focused on women’s health and wellbeing. Aimee was awarded the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year and won the Australian Certified Organic Young Leader Award in 2014; TOM Organic also won the product wellbeing category in the Green Lifestyle Awards in 2012.
Minister for Families & Children, Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos presented Aimee Marks with the Small Business Award
2015 Winners of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards
Overall Winner - Premier's Young Achiever of the Year
Georgia Retallick, 23 of Elsternwick founded The Y-House Foundation in 2010. It is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing support and options for young people forced to live in, or at risk of, entering care. Named as one of the Women’s Weekly Women of the Future, she met with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to discuss her work. Georgia’s goal is to build a “Y-House”, a $3.5 million rehabilitation facility for young people who have degenerative disease and serious brain and spinal injuries. Through fundraising, Georgia has already acquired $500,000 in donations for the building and a further $150,000 has been raised for the Foundation.
AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award
Kate McLean, 25 of Reservoir has a passion for flowers. After completing a Diploma of Commercial Floristry in 2013, she launched her floristry business "Mary Mary Millinery" creating a niche market for fresh floral headpieces. Rebranding and relaunching as Mary Mary Studio last year, services were extended to include weddings, events, and special occasions. Mary Mary Studio has been featured on Frankie Magazine, and Kate regularly collaborates and networks with other industry creatives to expand her business. Kate’s business has flourished with a loyal customer base and wedding bookings from some of Melbourne’s most prestigious venues.
Victorian Government Innovation Award
Alastair Pryor, 25 of North Fitzroy was completing his Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship and Innovation when he had the concept of “Compact Shelters”, a collapsible shelter for the homeless. With a grant from Oxfam Great Britain, Alastair designed immediate response shelters for refugees as well as collapsible water tanks and water containers. He also developed the first collapsible latrine shelter and anti-bacterial mobile surgery room. Alastair is working with charities all over the world to provide innovative aid relief solutions focused on reducing logistics so that aid can be supplied to disaster environments much faster.
BASF Science & Technology Award
Dr David Riglar, 28 of Melbourne completed his PhD on the development and application of new imaging methods. He used a combination of electron, light and super-resolution microscopy, to understand how malaria-causing parasites infect human blood cells so as to better treat the disease. David has contributed to 14 publications and presented at international forums. He has been awarded the University of Melbourne's Chancellor's Prize, the Dean's Award for Excellence in a PhD Thesis, and a commendation for the Victorian Premier's Award for Health and Medical Research 2014. David has won two prestigious fellowships that will allow him to pursue postdoctoral training overseas.
The Coffee Club Arts Award
Rebecca Clark, 28 of Collingwood completed a Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Costume at NIDA, gaining experience in theatrical costuming, draping, tailoring and millinery corsetry. She works extensively within the circus and puppetry communities and collaborates with internationally renowned circus and sideshow performer, Lilikoi Kaos. Rebecca is touring with Circus Oz to develop three unique costumes for her Trapeze, Hula Hoop and Escape Routine acts. Her costumes have been seen on stages around the world and her film and television credits include Me and My Monsters, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and most recently The Dressmaker.
Victorian Government Small Business Achievement Award
Paul O’Shea, 28 of Glen Iris has built CS Town Planning Services from the ground up. Paul combined his qualification as a town planner together with local experience to begin work as a private consultant to help developers obtain application approval. Initial business growth was by referrals and through his website and a Google ads campaign. A notable success has been securing corporate clients such as Lend Lease and NAB. CS Town Planning Services currently employs three full time staff and recorded a gross net profit margin of 54% in the first quarter of this financial year.
Saward Dawson Community Service and Volunteering Award
Mark Green, 24 of Wodonga is passionate about celebrating diversity, equality and social justice. He co-created ‘Equal Love on the Border’, an advocacy for the LGBTI, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community with information on health and wellbeing, education and marriage equality. Mark organises large scale events, writes a newsletter and uses Social Media to increase awareness. He is volunteer leader and mentor at Hume Phoenix, a social support and advocacy group for LGBTI youth, the WayOut Wodonga project at Gateway Health and the WoW Youth Action Group.
Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
Jessi McEwan, 21 of Morwell was selected to be Australia’s first Young Chef Ambassador and represented Australia in the 2014 World Chefs Forum in Norway. Jessi helps build young chef programs in Australia and collaborates with other Ambassadors, whilst keeping the World Association of Chefs Society informed of her progress. She is an active member of the Young Chefs Club, the Australian Culinary Federation and supports her community through fundraising initiatives. Jessi was named State Apprentice of the Year in 2013 and enjoys conducting cooking classes and inspirational talks to high school students.
Bartercard Online Achievement Award
Andrew Armstrong & Long Zheng, 27 of Melbourne co-founded 121CAST in 2012 to change the way people listen to radio around the world. The aim was to enable listeners to edit and create radio stations. Both Andrew and Long were awarded entrepreneurial fellowships by the University of Melbourne. They have built online products that millions of people use every day, including SoundGecko, Omny, Metrowit, Metro Trains Google Glass and Bigpond Movies and Music. In 2008, Long was one of four co-founders awarded first place in the Microsoft Imagine Cup chosen from 220,000 student entrants across 100 countries.
First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Georgia Retallick, 23 of Elsternwick founded The Y-House Foundation in 2010. It is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing support and options for young people forced to live in, or at risk of, entering care. Named as one of the Women’s Weekly Women of the Future, she met with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to discuss her work. Georgia’s goal is to build a “Y-House”, a $3.5 million rehabilitation facility for young people who have degenerative disease and serious brain and spinal injuries. Through fundraising, Georgia has already acquired $500,000 in donations for the building and a further $150,000 has been raised for the Foundation.
2014 Winners
Overall Winner - Premier's Young Achiever of the Year
Matthew Calleja, 24 of Lilydale has a love and passion for cars and for community. Leaving school in year 10 to start a mechanical apprenticeship, he soon realised that it was not for him. At only 17 years of age he created his own business; MRC Performance - Performance Parts and Fabrication. Commencing as an online home business, MRC is now a well-known, well established performance shop in Lilydale with six staff specialising in high performance parts for Australian cars. The business has expanded into Design and Fabrication and has recently added the Kamacarzi Car Care product range. Matthew provides significant support for local charities and holds regular car events and BBQ’s at his factory to raise funds for the local CFA.
Academy Graphics Regional Achiever Award
Tom Whitty, 26 of Princes Hill has made a significant contribution to changing the agricultural landscape through pioneering social media initiatives AgChatOZ and Rural Mental Health. AgChatOz uses social media to help give farmers access to ongoing discussions about Agricultural related matters. Rural Mental Health is a social media initiative aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues in rural Australia. Tom was instrumental in obtaining a $240,000 funding grant for an agricultural careers advisor and was named the 2013 Emerging Leader in Victorian Agriculture. This year Tom will present to more than 2,000 delegates at the AgChat Conference in Texas.
BASF Science and Technology Award
Lori Ferrins, 27 of Templestowe is currently completing her PhD with a focus on the complex research and design of new drugs to treat Human African Trypanosomiasis, known as African sleeping sickness. It is a debilitating parasitic disease affecting tens of thousands of people annually. Publishing several articles including in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and Future Medicinal Chemistry, Lori was the first to publish findings on a new class of compounds active against the parasite. Lori has presented the findings at local and national conferences. These compounds have previously shown potent activity as agents in diseases such as cancer making the project exciting in its potential.
Saward Dawson Community Service and Volunteering Award
Maddison Parker, 11 of Caroline Springs runs a campaign to raise awareness for the debilitating disability Ehlers Danlos syndrome. She is determined to see state wide clinics established across Australia for those that suffer from connective tissue disorders, and for Ehlers Danlos syndrome to be a recognised and understood condition. Maddison has raised over $10,000 to help those with CTDs, and a further $2,000 for the YMCA open doors program. Despite constant chronic pain, daily dislocations and fatigue, she is determined to improve the lives of those living with the illness.
AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award
Hayden Layton, 19 of Roxburgh Park started working at Youthworx Media, completed his accredited media training and was employed by two Production companies by the time he was 16. Last year Hayden completed his traineeship and was instantly promoted to Producer! He won a Film Award from the Oasis short film competition where he was presented with his award by Cate Blanchett. Hayden has secured funding by writing successful funding applications for new initiatives and projects such as “North” and “Live Up” and he is currently working on multiple short films and music videos.
The Coffee Club Arts Award
Lesley & Patrick Francis, 24 and 22 of Keilor East collaborate as “Absolutely Awetistic Arts”. Patrick is a special needs artist and prolific painter using acrylic on paper as his chosen medium. He has won numerous arts awards, exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and has been included in every Arts Project Gala Exhibition since 2009. Patrick was showcased as a prominent “Melbourne Now” artist and is exhibiting at Safari 2014 and the Melbourne Art Fair. Lesley is an exceptional author, curator, arts writer and dynamic young entrepreneur who assists her brother. “Absolutely Awetistic Arts” have produced several books with Lesley as author and Patrick the artist, which are sold online. Profits are used for global awareness and research of autism and intellectual disability.
Minister for Youth Affairs Sustainability Award
Catherine Payne, 24 of Brunswick is a conservation biologist who is passionate about conserving wildlife and natural ecosystems. She has conducted research into human disturbance of birds, urban microbat roosting behaviour, and also invasive species ecology. Catherine has volunteered with conservation organisations in Australia and the UK, and in 2012 formed the now 800 member strong Deakin University Ecology Volunteer Register to help undergraduate ecology students keen to volunteer and get practical experience. A keen wildlife photographer, her photographs have been used in the media and on banners and websites to promote conservation.
Victorian Government’s Small Business Achievement Award
Matthew Calleja, 24 of Lilydale has a love and passion for cars and for community. Leaving school in year 10 to start a mechanical apprenticeship, he soon realised that it was not for him. At only 17 years of age he created his own business; MRC Performance - Performance Parts and Fabrication. Commencing as an online home business, MRC is now a well-known, well established performance shop in Lilydale with six staff specialising in high performance parts for Australian cars. The business has expanded into Design and Fabrication and has recently added the Kamacarzi Car Care product range. Matthew provides significant support for local charities and holds regular car events and BBQ’s at his factory to raise funds