QUEENSLAND

7NEWS Young Achiever Awards QLD

2025 Finalists

 

360 Degrees Marketing Small Business Achievement Award

By Chloe and Youngpreneur Markets By Chloe highlight innovation, sustainability, and community impact. Chloe launched By Chloe in 2019 at just 13 years old, creating handmade heat packs from wheat, cotton, and dried lavender. Her passion for entrepreneurship led her to establish Youngpreneur Markets, providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their products, gain confidence, and connect with like-minded individuals. Chloe’s accomplishments so far include winning the 2021 National Future Anything Grand Final, being nominated for Young Business Owner of the Year 2023, and receiving the QUT Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship 2025. Congratulations… Chloe Alley – By Chloe and Youngpreneur Markets!

 

Kalinda Salla, founder of Cheeky Winx, launched the brand in 2021 to transform everyday essentials into bold, creative statement pieces. Specialising in ultra-absorbent, quick-drying gym towels and accessories, Cheeky Winx has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with over 100,000 orders and $7M+ in revenue. The brand’s vibrant designs and personalisation options have gained viral attention on TikTok, with 48K+ followers and 2M+ views. Cheeky Winx collaborates with Australian and Indigenous artists, supports children’s hospitals, and empowers local creators, all while promoting self-expression through its unique products…. Congratulations Kalinda and Cheeky Winx!

 

Kymberlee Clift- Bubble‘n’Kick Swim School are the Specialists in Swimming and Water Safety Education, based on the Sunshine Coast. As Founder and Managing Director, Kymberlee is known for her passion to ensure access to quality, progressive and effective aquatic education- regardless of age, background, ability or disability. Bubble’n’Kick not only produces students excelling years ahead of the national benchmarks, but they’re also equipped with emergency response training- the complete approach to water safety! Additionally, over 25% of students are diagnosed with cognitive, behavioural and/or physical challenges that her team work with to ensure positive, personalised, progressive results. Kymberlee is tirelessly committed to growth, sustainability, empowerment and drowning prevention- evident in the success of Bubble’n’Kick!... Congratulations Kymberlee

 

Rob Joseph founder of Anti Ordinary of Ormeau has a mission of reducing preventable brain injuries. Rob founded Anti Ordinary, a brain protection brand dedicated to “Protecting the People We Love.” Sparked by a personal injury in 2018, Rob revolutionised helmet technology with the A2 helmet — now twice patented and packed with over a dozen innovative features. In just its second season, the A2 has been credited with saving lives and has earned the trust of world-renowned athletes, celebrities, and brands. They have sales across 46+ countries and partnerships with icons like Volcom. Rob is a mentor and Young Entrepreneur finalist, an inspiration to the next generation of innovators.… Congratulations Rob

 

Awards Australia Foundation Connecting Communities Award

Dominic de Moura McCarthy of Mackay is bridging social and geographic divides. As Co-CEO and Co-Founder of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA), Dominic is fostering meaningful connections between youth across the Pacific and Australia. Since co-founding PAYA in 2020, Dominic has led three Youth Leadership Summits in New Caledonia, Tonga, and Nauru, engaging over 100 participants from 10 countries, promoting leadership, cultural exchange, and community building. Dominic’s strategic leadership, from securing international sponsorships to managing operations, has been central to PAYA’s success. The Summits tackle critical themes such as sustainability and entrepreneurship while incorporating immersive cultural experiences. Through technology and innovation, Dominic continues to empower Pacific youth… Congratulations Dominic

 

Holly Morton from Central Queensland is a committed & community driven advocate for mental health, domestic violence awareness, and youth empowerment. Holly has over a decade of volunteering and five years of fundraising experience. She has made and continues to make a lasting impact through roles such as Chairperson of Gladstone City Youth Council. She created the “Leslee’s Sunflower” project, promoting suicide prevention in honour of her late best friend Leslee Dinnerville. Holly has received the QATSIF Young Leadership Award, multiple nominations in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards and nominations with the Gladstone Australia Day Awards. Despite personal battles with mental health, domestic violence and homelessness, Holly continues to advocate, raise awareness, and inspire change… Congratulations Holly

 

We are not alone (WRNA) from Toowoomba is a project helping to promote inclusivity and intersectionality for young Australians with disabilities. WRNA emerged from the 2023 ABC Heywire Summit to tackle loneliness among youth with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or neurodivergence in regional Australia. Entirely youth-led, with all members under 21, WRNA held their inaugural event in Toowoomba which featured workshops, lived experience panels, and guest speakers like Dr. Dinesh Palipana OAM, fostering empowerment and meaningful connections. Key achievements include presentations at national conferences, partnerships with prominent organisations, and recognition as an ABC Trailblazers 2025 winner. WRNA co-designs accessible events, leveraging innovative feedback-driven design, and advocating for disability justice.…Congratulations WRNA.

 

Typhoon le Garde of Beaudesert exemplifies leadership and community spirit through music, sport, and volunteering. Just 16, Typhoon is a dedicated community volunteer who supports organisations, including BADCAP, Beaudesert Emergency Services Cadets, and Kooralbyn RSL as their dedicated bugler. He actively promotes youth leadership through programs like RYPEN and the QLD School Sports Student Advisory Committee, championing inclusivity for neurodiverse athletes. Typhoon’s achievements include the Scenic Rim Young Citizen of the Year Award, a Mayoral Award for sporting and academic excellence, and a TransUrban STEM scholarship. Despite financial and environmental challenges, he continues to inspire others with his resilience and passion for helping the community.…Congratulations Typhoon

 

Awards Australia Leadership Award 

Amber Coulton of Aramac boasts exceptional professionalism. At just 25, Amber stands as one of Queensland's youngest acting District Managers, overseeing the towns of Aramac and Muttaburra. Beyond governance, she leads working bees, improves public spaces, volunteers for local groups, and supports community arts. Amber’s ability to inspire collaboration has strengthened community ties and enriched cultural life. Despite the challenges of managing two towns at a young age, she has earned trust through humility and resilience, proving that age is no barrier to meaningful impact. Her legacy is reflected in the empowered individuals and thriving communities she continues to uplift, making her a deserving nominee.…Congratulations Amber

 

Dr Alison Wright of Griffith University has unwavering advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Completing her PhD at 24, Alison has built a respected research portfolio and is an achieved public speaker sharing lived experience as a trans woman in STEM. The youngest and only female facility manager at a Queensland university’s School of Anatomy, Alison is a role model in STEM. She is also a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, through mentoring, organising workshops, and influencing institutional policies. Named an Out for Australia's 30 Under 30 winner in 2023, Alison’s leadership leaves an indelible mark through inspiring future generations and creating more inclusive environments..…Congratulations Dr Alison

 

Scott Blacket of Boulia is committed to generating jobs and mentoring young individuals in the cattle and aviation industries. At just 30 years old, Scott Blacket exemplifies leadership through his multi-faceted entrepreneurial ventures. He operates Blacket Helicopters, S&M Cattle Company, and Boulia Caravan Park while raising a family of four. Scott is a hands-on helicopter pilot, serving 30 cattle station clients across QLD, NT, and South Australia. He personally trains pilots for Blacket Helicopters and Barkly Helicopters, fostering career opportunities for aspiring aviators. Beyond business, Scott supports his community by participating in the Boulia Campdraft and Rodeo and serving as president, contributing time and resources.…Congratulations Scott

 

Typhoon le Garde of Beaudesert is known for his advocacy, community service, and resilience. As a member of the Queensland School Sport Student Advisory Committee (2023–2025), he champions inclusivity for Multiclass and Neurodiverse students. His leadership extends to the Beaudesert Emergency Services Cadets, mentoring roles, and contributions to events like Carols in the Park. Typhoon has earned prestigious accolades, including the Scenic Rim Council Young Citizen of the Year and the Gold Coast Academy of Sport Mayoral Award. Despite personal challenges, including financial hardship, he continues to inspire through music, sports, and community engagement. His dedication is empowering youth, supporting vulnerable communities, and fostering inclusivity.…Congratulations Typhoon

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award

Amanda Martin of Ascot is dedicated to empowering communities. As a member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Board of Advice, she encourages and supports Indigenous students to complete high school. In her role as a Lawyer at MinterEllison, Amanda completed over 400 pro bono hours in a year, securing compensation for victims of serious crimes, supporting Indigenous corporations with safety compliance, and assisting individuals with workplace issues. Overcoming personal and systemic barriers, Amanda has become a role model for aspiring Indigenous lawyers and a voice for marginalised communities. She advocates for positive change through professional leadership, volunteering and community initiatives.…Congratulations Amanda

 

Kirra Muggeridge is a visionary leader, dedicated to empowering future generations to unlock their full potential. As co-founder of Iron Traks, a nonprofit committed to uplifting young women, particularly from Indigenous, Pacifica, and disadvantaged communities, she has pioneered life-changing initiatives like Career Pathways, Well-being Days, and Strong Women Events. Since 2019, Kirra has built strategic partnerships with organisations including; Australian Defence Services, Queensland Police and QLD Fire Services, creating vital career opportunities. Through her work, Iron Traks received the prestigious QLD Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner’s Award for its groundbreaking work with young women. Through relentless mentorship and advocacy, Kirra continues to break barriers and inspire lasting change..…Congratulations Kirra

 

Rikisha Phineasa is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and Litigation Support Officer at Legal Aid Queensland, committed to justice and youth empowerment. She is a Tertiary Leader with Cape York Partnerships and a former JCU Indigenous Ambassador and Cowboys House tutor, helping Indigenous students transition into university. As Secretary of the Townsville First Nations Youth Council, she co-hosted two First Nations Youth Expos, connecting over 150 young people with opportunities. Nationally, she advises on federal youth-focused policy and education. Rikisha has shared her voice through platforms such as NITV and national panels, promoting Blak excellence, leadership, and community-led change… congratulations Rikisha.

 

Ty'a Dynevor of Edge Hill is committed to environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. Ty’a has volunteered with the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre since 2019, notably co-facilitating Climate Action Now workshops and supporting flood-affected communities. As a research assistant for the Traditional Owner COTS project at James Cook University (JCU), she amplified the voices of Reef Traditional Owners, shaping governance conversations with government bodies. Her role evolved into a cadetship program, creating opportunities for Indigenous researchers. Ty’a also mentors Indigenous students as an ambassador and tutor at JCU. She has won the VPG Young Changemakers award and participated in the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.…Congratulations Ty'a

 

Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award

Dr Francesca Oieni has built a dynamic career in spinal injury research, education, and science communication, moving from Italy to the Gold Coast. From Research Assistant to PhD graduate and now Research Fellow at the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, she has contributed to developing innovative 3D cell culture models and presented at international conferences. As the team’s social media manager, she brings science to the community while preparing for a clinical trial. Through volunteering and advocacy with the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, she strengthens community connections and bridges research with real-world impact... Congratulations Fran!

 

Harley Robinson of Indooroopilly has a passion for innovation and collaboration. Harley is a scientist at the forefront of proteomics, revolutionising disease research with groundbreaking tools for prostate cancer, COVID-19, and heart failure. Their discovery of a non-invasive protein biomarker for prostate cancer garnered media attention and research funding. Collaborating with global partners, Harley developed rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tool, sparking international adoption of the concept. Now focusing on heart failure, they work with leading scientists to advance drug discovery using human cardiac organoids and proteomics. Harley also mentors emerging scientists and serves on scientific committees. They are shaping medical research, driving progress across a diverse range of diseases.…Congratulations Harley

 

Jacob Thorstensen of Helensvale is committed to advancing neuroscience for real-world impact. Jacob is a distinguished neuroscientist and Assistant Professor in Neuroscience at Bond University. Featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 (Healthcare & Science) and named a “rising star in physiology,” Jacob pioneers innovative research on brain stimulation and muscle control, with promising applications for movement disorders such as stroke and spinal cord injuries. He has authored influential papers in leading scientific journals and serves on editorial boards. Beyond research, Jacob actively contributes to the scientific community through peer reviews and leadership roles. He has founded a brain stimulation lab and secured research funding.…Congratulations Jacob

 

Tristan Turnbull of South Mackay, based in regional Queensland, is a trusted expert in workplace safety and regulatory compliance. As one of the youngest fully qualified Chemical Coordinators in the mining sector, he has supported major clients like BHP and Anglo American through Chemwatch. Co-owning a chemical safety consultancy, he specialises in SDS management, compliance gap analysis, and tailored storage solutions across mining, construction, and education. Tristan delivers workplace training, mentors emerging professionals, and contributes to site safety teams. With skilled personnel in high demand, he is quickly establishing himself as the go-to solution for chemical safety and compliance challenges..…Congratulations Tristan

 

Queensland Family & Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award (First Nations)

Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw is a proud Aboriginal leader and Youth Support Officer from Cunnamulla, fighting for the safety, dignity, and future of at-risk youth. He founded the Neighbourhood Centre—a lifeline offering food, crisis support, and cultural reconnection to over 200 young people. With compassion and fierce advocacy, Jarib walks beside those facing homelessness, violence, and abandonment, helping them rebuild hope and purpose. He also leads the local Youth Council, giving young people a voice where they’ve long been unheard. His work is changing lives—and changing his community. In 2024, he was named Young citizen of the Year and is a Queensland Youth Ambassador..…Congratulations Jarib

 

Josiah Little of North Lakes is dedicated to improving the health and safety of Queensland's Indigenous communities. A proud Bandjin and Djakunde man, Josiah is an Aboriginal Health Worker and soon-to-be Credentialed Diabetes Educator. He leads transformative initiatives focusing on men’s health, emotional well-being, and health literacy. His efforts have grown men’s groups from three to over 30 participants in 12 months, providing culturally safe spaces that support mental health and strengthen family units. Through clinical work, advocacy, and community engagement, Josiah enhances access to essential services, improves food security, and connects individuals to cultural heritage. His impact is widely felt in Inala, Cherbourg, and beyond.…Congratulations Josiah

 

Kellie McDonald of Thornlands is committed to improving the safety, wellbeing and academic success of First Nations youth. She is currently working towards developing and implementing the Inclusive Practices space within a Flexible Learning School for students with additional needs, as well as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students. Her commitment to providing students with a space to access where they feel accepted and safe underpins her approach. With experience in Special Education, Youth Detention and now Flexible Learning, Kellie focuses on positively reengaging youth back into the classroom, through advocacy and wholistic support. She shares her passion on TikTok by advocating and educating on all things “Inclusive Practices”…Congratulations Kellie

 

Maddie Crothers is championing positive change at state and national levels. Maddie is a 20-year-old Gunggari and Kalkadoon woman dedicated to advocating for First Nations mental health and youth wellbeing. She balances studying Psychology and Justice at Queensland University of Technology with roles in Queensland Youth Parliament, YMCA, and the Queensland Family and Child Commission. As a mentor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Maddie led government consultations, amplifying youth voices on truth-telling and cultural appreciation. She actively raises awareness for mental health, addiction reform, and youth safety. Her advocacy work — both voluntary and paid — reflects her resilience, professionalism, and commitment.…Congratulations Maddie

 

Queensland Family & Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award (non-First Nations)

Jessica Stone of Wavell Heights is dedicated to improving child safety and youth rights, through the lens of her own experiences as a survivor. By transforming her lived experience into impactful policy advocacy, she has contributed to significant legislative efforts. Her work includes contributing to the Youth Bill for First Nations repatriation, and consulting on vaping reform in Queensland. She actively participates in multiple youth advisory councils, particularly within the child protection sector. Her international work with United Nations Youth Australia, SDSN Youth, and the World Economic Forum amplifies youth voices globally. Despite personal challenges, including navigating autism and her LGBTQIA+ identity, Jess continues to inspire systemic change.…Congratulations Jessica

 

Lena Nabizada of Toowoomba is a passionate advocate driven by her personal experiences and dedication to making positive change. She founded Strive Connecting, a youth-led initiative tackling racism through workshops and the Stories Project, amplifying diverse voices to foster empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Lena works nationally and internationally with organizations, serving on advisory groups and boards like DCCEEW council, Plan International Australia and the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network, shaping policy on gender equality, climate change and cultural inclusivity. She has spoken at international forums, engaging decision-makers on systemic youth challenges. Recognized for her leadership, she received the Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Award, received the NCWQ bursary and was named Youth Citizen of the Year. .…Congratulations Lena

Rachael Weatherall of Logan Reserve is a passionate advocate for gender equality and domestic violence prevention. As former Coordinator of R4Respect, she led a peer education program that engaged over 600,000 young people with vital messages on respectful relationships and consent. Rachael has advised governments, served on national boards and mentored youth to challenge harmful behaviours. Rachael’s work has been awarded ‘National Gold’ by the Australian Institute of Criminology. Now a Senior Policy Officer at Our Watch, she continues to champion gender equality, advising governments in implementing respectful relationships education. A Queensland Young Achiever of the Year Finalist, she is a powerful voice for social change. …Congratulations Rachael

 

Ruby Allen of the Gold Coast is helping improve support systems for vulnerable young Australians. Ruby is the 18-year-old founder of Kids of Purple, a not-for-profit initiative supporting young people affected by domestic and family violence. Motivated by a lack of age-appropriate resources, Ruby created a platform providing validation and accessible information. She presented her work at the 2024 QFCC Youth Summit, connecting with key professionals, securing funding for her website, and producing promotional videos. Her advocacy has influenced government training programs, including Queensland Police’s Domestic and Family Violence Training Unit. Ruby also collaborated on child protection videos with the Department of Housing and Queensland Health workshops.…Congratulations Ruby

 

 

Special Event Presentations Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity Award

Alexa Leary embodies resilience and determination. Once an aspiring triathlete, Alexa faced a life-altering cycling accident in 2021, resulting in traumatic brain injury. Despite being told she would never walk or talk again, Alexa defied the odds, relearning basic life skills and ultimately winning two golds and a silver at the Paris Paralympics. Her family’s "moveforlex" campaign raised nearly $300,000 for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Neurosurgery Ward, improving patient care and family support. Alexa inspires through public speaking, fundraising, and supporting individuals with disabilities. She advocates for recovery and mental well-being, proving that with determination, the impossible can be achieved.…Congratulations Alexa

 

Andre Rivett of Woodridge has unwavering passion for athletics. Andre is a Down Syndrome athlete in track and field, competing in discus, shot put, and javelin. Over seven years, he has represented both Queensland and Australia, becoming the first Down Syndrome athlete to compete as a para-athlete for Athletics Australia in 2016. His advocacy has driven the inclusion of the F21 classification, providing a pathway for Down Syndrome athletes at a national level. Despite challenges in finding coaching support and limited funding, Andre’s determination has inspired the Down Syndrome community, proving that anything is possible. He inspires more athletes with Down Syndrome join competitive sports.…Congratulations Andre

 

Dyshart Morgan of Toogoom is inspiring athletes of all abilities with his resilience. Dyshart is a nationally ranked Multiclass swimmer under the S19 classification, holding 22 Queensland records and multiple Australian Swimming Establishment records. Despite being diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition (ARVD), he continues to compete, showcasing resilience and determination at national championships, making A finals, and breaking records even while unknowingly battling a severe heart condition. Dyshart has also faced personal challenges, including ASD, ADHD, and severe bullying, yet remains committed to his Olympic aspirations. Adapting to his diagnosis, he has taken up archery as an alternative competitive sport, demonstrating unwavering dedication.…Congratulations Dyshart

 

Krystal Demaid is a passionate advocate for inclusion and perseverance. Since being wheelchair-bound in 2019, Krystal has rapidly progressed in Wheelchair Basketball, earning multiple medals and recognition for her improvement, with hopes of joining the 2025 Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball team. Krystal became the first woman in Mackay to complete the 21km Marina Run in a wheelchair, despite a mid-race setback. She continues to challenge herself through events like the River to Reef Ride and various fun runs. Krystal also advocates for disability and mental health awareness, participates in national advocacy efforts, and mentors others. She aspires to compete in the Para Olympics.…Congratulations Krystal

 

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award

Alice Ruddell of Mackay is a physiotherapist and entrepreneur, redefining rehabilitation through two innovative businesses and a podcast: Empower Health and Physiotherapy, A Rehab Diary and “A Rehab Diary: The Series”. EHP is renowned for its patient-centered approach, blending advanced therapeutic techniques with personalised care. ARD integrates physical rehabilitation with mental well-being. It empowers active recovery by supporting the psychological components of rehabilitation. The podcast showcases powerful recovery stories and educational content, inspiring a global audience and attracting high-profile collaborations and elite awards. Overcoming personal adversity, Alice aims to create impactful change by integrating technology with holistic care to redefine the future of healthcare...…Congratulations Alice

 

Eloise Dalton of Brisbane is the Director of Working Women Queensland, leading efforts to support vulnerable, non-unionised women facing workplace challenges. A dedicated lawyer and advocate, she champions workplace fairness through legal support, policy reform, and education on gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and pay equity. Her work has expanded legal access, shaped key legislative reforms, and empowered women through grassroots advocacy, legal workshops, and public awareness campaigns. Eloise collaborates with policymakers, community organisations, and legal experts to drive systemic change. Through her leadership, she is building safer, more equitable workplaces where all women can thrive.…Congratulations Eloise

 

Cleanbill is championing affordable healthcare and policy reform nationwide. James Gillespie is the founder and CEO of Cleanbill, an innovative, free healthcare directory that provides transparent pricing for primary and specialist care. Started as a side-project during COVID lockdown, Cleanbill's unique data collection reflects real-life patient experiences, offering invaluable insights not covered by government or private data. Cleanbill’s reporting has now become the driving force behind healthcare reform nationwide, employing dozens of data collectors, generating hundreds of media stories and helping tens of thousands of Australians find affordable, available healthcare options around them… Congratulations James Gillespie and Cleanbill.

 

Scott Millar of Brisbane is preparing young people for the future workforce. Scott founded of BOP Industries. Starting as a high school project, BOP now engages 120,000+ students across six countries, delivering 1,000 hours of workshops annually. Notable initiatives include The Next Gen Awards, celebrating young innovators with 290+ nominations and 2,000 attendees, and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Career & Enterprise Expo, connecting 4,000 students with industry leaders. Scott has also led national conferences such as the Future of Education Summit and EduFest WA. As a keynote speaker and consultant for global organisations like BDO and Westpac, Scott bridges generational gaps, fostering innovation and workforce inclusivity.…Congratulations Scott

 

 

 

 

QLDYAA by Awards Australia

 

 

 

2024 Finalists

 

360 Degrees Marketing Career Achievement Award
Alexander Bell, Toowong is committed to community impact. Alexander’s journey from chemical engineering student to founder of Milton Rum Distillery is marked by resilience and innovation. Reviving a brand lost to history, he introduced the award-winning Spiced Cane Spirit, achieving statewide distribution despite early rejections. He pioneers sustainable distillation technologies through his new venture, Whitestone Industries, securing patents and aiding distillers in Australia and Southeast Asia. Alexander collaborates with Help Enterprises, supporting marginalised workers, and invests in local community initiatives. Despite challenges like floods and economic shifts, his commitment to quality and sustainability drives both his success and positive impact on the craft distilling industry.

 

Anthony (Antonis) Kekkou, Holland Park showcases the power of passion, resilience, and unwavering belief in oneself. Anthony is the founder of Andonis Cafe & Bar. He defied odds, starting with $3,500 to build a cafe empire of 7 outlets by age 27. In 2021, broke a world record when he served 3,000 bacon and egg brioche rolls to the community. From childhood entrepreneurial ventures to rebranding cafes in his early 20s, Anthony's journey exemplifies the transformative power of self-belief and relentless determination. His story inspires others to pursue their dreams with conviction, emphasising the importance of trusting oneself and embracing the journey of self-discovery and growth.

Jeremy Hansen launched GlowBored PR at 16, now a leading agency across Brisbane, Sydney, Hong Kong, and London. Starting in 2012 with just a mobile and laptop, he built the agency on his couch, showcasing a strong work ethic and commitment to clients. Today, Jeremy leads a top-tier team serving local businesses, national brands, and global billion-dollar companies. In 2014, he founded The Talent Assembly to fill a market gap for hands-on creative talent management. The Talent Assembly is now one of Australia's premier digital talent agencies, representing some of the world's most influential creatives.

Natalie Durack, Upper Coomera went from launching a small dog walking service to founding Happy Hounds, — a premier pet care provider offering dog walking, pet sitting, pet taxi, pet wedding concierge, and more. With a background in science and business, Natalie's Happy Hounds now serves over 2000 pet owners with nearly 5000 pets. Her dedication to customer care, innovation, and community impact has fuelled remarkable growth, achieving a turnover exceeding seven figures. Through initiatives like supporting local shelters, environmental activism, and providing flexible employment, Natalie's influence extends beyond business success. She has enriched the lives of pets, their owners, and the broader community in Southeast Queensland.

Samantha Fien, Ooralea has revolutionised mental health research in the lifesaving community. Sam's journey in surf lifesaving spans over 25 years, marked by leadership roles and pioneering national mental health research. As Chair of the Surf LifeSaving Queensland Research Panel and as the Surf Life Saving Australia's National Wellbeing Advisor, she has created policies and fostered research initiatives that are changing the lens on mental health in the surf lifesaving and first responder community. Sam has challenged gender stereotypes, advocated for inclusivity, and brought forth valuable insights into national policies and strategic plans leaving an indelible mark, ensuring safer waters and healthier communities for generations to come.

 

Awards Australia Foundation Diversity and Inclusion Award
Abbie Williams, Varsity Lakes is championing mental health. Abbie founded Letters of Hope, which transforms lives through heartfelt letters, combatting mental health stigma and fostering global community connections. From a personal struggle with anxiety and depression to a worldwide movement, Abbie's initiative has sent over 3,400 letters across 65 countries. Through partnerships and workshops, she empowers volunteers, recipients, and workplaces to prioritise mental well-being. Her dedication, fuelled by the impact of each handwritten note, epitomises the power of kindness and empathy in addressing mental health challenges. Abbie aims to build a kindness ecosystem that supports individuals worldwide on their journey to healing and connection.

Emily Finn, Burpengary East, Giving 8 years of exceptional leadership, driving inclusivity at Sporting Wheelies through Moreton Bay Boccia Club. Her coaching prowess and advocacy efforts, breaks barriers for disabled athletes, promoting Boccia throughout the community. Through serving on boards, coaching on an international platform and volunteering, Emily empowers athletes to achieve their dreams. Her dedication extends beyond coaching, as she organises disability action week events that foster understanding and inclusion. Despite challenges, Emily’s unwavering commitment to Boccia and disabled sports shines through, leaving legacy of empowerment and unity within the community. She embodies values of tenacity, dedication, and compassion, inspiring all who know her. 

Joshua Mitchell, Toowoomba Josh has spent his life, since a very young child involved in advocacy and education of the community about Disability and disability rights and needs. He has been involved in international campaigns, featured in documentaries, run education classes in schools, businesses and churches, being part of a radio show and online show, run events and helped run support groups. He currently sits on a number of committees in hospitals and is part of a number of projects instigating change and awareness. He is passionate about making the community becoming supportive and accepting of everyone

Prince Lo, Dalby has led initiatives that empower Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities for the last 7 years across South East Queensland and the Darling Downs. As a migrant himself, he has been through challenges in settling in Queensland and now he is a champion of promoting social inclusion and actively supporting the multicultural communities. He facilitated over 100 initiatives, including workshops, events, case management, and individualised mentoring. He has supported over 5,000 newly arrived Queenslanders in economic participation, education, and community integration. Prince hopes to set a precedent for migrant youth and continue to contribute back to supporting the multicultural community.

Timothy Lachlan, Holmview is reshaping adaptive sports and occupational therapy. Timothy is the driving force behind WCMX and Adaptive Skate, a groundbreaking initiative that empowers individuals with disabilities, fostering independence, breaking down barriers, and fostering inclusive communities nationwide. His program reaches diverse participants, from children with disabilities gaining mobility skills to neurodivergent individuals enhancing social interactions. He is also the first openly queer WCMX rider. Despite being autistic, living with a progressive disability, and facing discouragement, including bullying and overcoming traumatic brain injuries, Timothy's resilience shines. Through skate therapy, Timothy transforms lives, inspiring confidence and resilience while challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusion.

 

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award
Daniel Rosendale, Cairns is a dedicated advocate and mentor empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. As co-founder of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG), Daniel’s leadership drives community projects, fosters cultural pride, and advocates for health equity. Through initiatives like the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) and roles as Queensland Young Tourism Leader, he amplifies Indigenous voices and champions youth representation. Daniel has been recognised as Cairns Regional Council's Young Person of the Year. He has also completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. His dedication embodies resilience and inspires positive change, reflecting his commitment to creating a brighter future for Indigenous communities.

Gullara Mcinnes, Mareeba exemplifies the transformative power of education and technology in community development. Gullara is a trailblazer in using drone technology to preserve cultural heritage and enhance rural education. An alumna of the Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy and CareerTrackers, she advocates for Aboriginal sciences and mentors youth. Through presentations at national conferences and keynotes, she shares her expertise, empowering communities and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Despite personal loss and challenges, including the passing of her father, she remains resilient, driven by her commitment to bridge educational disparities and safeguard cultural sites using innovative drone solutions. Gullara is currently studying science-law.

Jessy Renouf, Morayfield is a dynamic youth advocate, championing First Nations justice and mental health. Proud of her Gubbi heritage, she works as an engagement support officer. With roles at organizations like the Queensland Family and Child Commission, Orygen, Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, and QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit, she amplifies voices and drives impactful change. Her achievements include delivering a TEDx talk in 2022 on her Aboriginal experience, breaking stereotypes, and empowering others. From mentoring programs to national forums, Jessy’s leadership inspires resilience and representation. Her journey reflects a commitment to community and a vision for a more inclusive future.

Mitchell Harrison-Currie, Coorparoo is empowering youth and preserves Indigenous heritage through dance. Mitchell founded Nalingurrie Projects in 2021, fostering collaboration for self-determined artistic works. In 2019, Mitchell collaborated with Yugumbeh Elder Uncle Lionel Foggarty to share the Warrajum (Rainbow Serpent) Dreaming story through dance. He revitalises cultural narratives, earning accolades like the Russell Page Graduate Award and the Order of Australia Association 2015 Queensland Secondary Schools Citizenship Award. Mitchell's journey exemplifies resilience and dedication, overcoming barriers to advance Indigenous culture in the performing arts. With a vision for community vibrancy and cultural pride, he continues to inspire the next generation of artists and leaders.

Tahlulah Tillett, Cairnes epitomises leadership and community impact. Tahlulah is a dynamic Torres Strait Islander and National Rugby League Women’s Premiership (NRLW) star. As a Cowboys ambassador and NRLW Indigenous All Star, she amplifies cultural awareness and educational opportunities for Indigenous youth. Tahlulah's dedication extends to NRL Cowboys House, where she mentors boarding students, fostering confidence and resilience. Through programs like Try for 5!, she champions school attendance and academic achievement, nurturing young minds across North Queensland. Tahlulah's accolades include the prestigious Veronica White Medal, recognising her exceptional community contributions. She continues to inspire as a role model, breaking barriers and empowering future generations.

 

Queensland Family and Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award
Amelia Ayris, Greenbank is a passionate Child Safety Advocate. She became the youth ambassador for Bravehearts at 12, performing and speaking at fundraising events generating over $200,000. Amelia was the only Gen Z representative at the annual National Child Protection Forum in Darwin, where she was a keynote speaker to decision makers on ways the system can improve. Amelia gave evidence to the QLD Government Legal Affairs and Safety Committee regarding the amendment of the Family Violence Bill. She is an award winning filmmaker on youth mental health and is writing a series of books around child safety. Amelia won the 2023 Logan Young Citizen of the Year.

Aurora Iler, Coomera is pioneering change through her powerful films. Aurora created, directed, produced and starred in her short film called "Grape" to discourage teens from vaping. Her work has not only been embraced by Queensland schools but has also received global acclaim, earning recognition at prestigious film festivals in Beverly Hills and Mammoth. Aurora's work transcends borders, saving lives and promoting dialogue on vital health issues. Supported by government backing, she ensures fair compensation for her team while prioritising the film's impact over financial gain. Aurora remains steadfast, using her platform to advocate for positive change and inspire others to join the cause.

Christopher Stan of Greenbank has transformed disability services through BEST Disability Support since July 2020. He has offered group-based supports at work skill centres in Slacks Creek and Greenbank. From mentoring young talents like 'DJ Trent' to securing funding for transitioning youth, he is dedicated to empowering individuals! Through partnerships with local businesses and schools, Chris has created programs, work experience opportunities and constructed custom facilities including an onsite recording studio, barbershop, art space, and sports training hub. Chris also facilitates the BEST Basketball League which has over 100 players competing weekly in the Logan region. Under his leadership, BEST Disability Support serves 100 families and employs over 35 staff members.

You Are Not Alone (Tom Price) is helping combat youth mental health challenges. Tom Price is the driving force behind You Are Not Alone (YRNA), launched the organisation in 2021. Partnered with 35 schools and engaging 50,000 young individuals, YRNA promotes open dialogue and support networks. Tom's initiatives range from organising fun runs, addressing thousands in schools and forums, to spearheading online awareness campaigns. His dedication and advocacy led to prestigious recognitions, including the 2023 Brisbane youth citizen of the year and the 2023 QBank young hero award. Through Tom's leadership, YRNA continues to empower youth, ensuring they know they are not alone in their struggles.

Charlie Lacey, Pullenvale is an 11-year-old boy who has demonstrated extraordinary compassion and dedication to his community. From organising donations for flood-affected families and Indigenous communities to supporting women impacted by domestic violence, Charlie's voluntary efforts have touched many lives. He has been heavily involved in baking ANZAC Day biscuits and has donated over 450 blankets for the homeless in Brisbane. His work has earned him awards and inspired others to join in his mission of helping those in need. Despite facing communication challenges due to his age, Charlie's determination to bridge generational gaps exemplifies the power of youth in making a difference.

 

Queensland Family and Child Commission First Nations Youth Advocacy Award
Daniel Rosendale, Cairns is a tireless advocate for First Nations youth, embodying pride and resilience. Daniel is a proud Gugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji man. As co-founder of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good, he empowers Indigenous youth through education, leadership, and health initiatives. From his role as Co-Chair of the Roadmap for Adolescent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health to his advisory work for the Yes23 Campaign, Daniel's contributions have been instrumental in advancing the rights and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through mentorship and advocacy, Daniel continues to inspire positive change, amplifying voices and fostering cultural pride within communities.

Kaiden Ratcliff, Gayndah is a community hero whose selflessness knows no bounds. Through his dedication to teaching swimming and showcasing his artistic talents, Kaiden enriches his community with physical, emotional, and cultural well-being. As a lifeguard and swimming coach, he empowers individuals with life-saving skills, regardless of their financial means. Kaiden's First Nations Art Exhibition not only celebrates cultural heritage but also fosters understanding and appreciation within the community. His commitment to Christian service and volunteering further strengthens community bonds, leaving a legacy of unity and inspiration. Kaiden's contributions showcase the transformative power of service and cultural pride, inspiring others to follow his lead.

Kellie McDonald, Thornlands is an inspiring educator committed to fostering inclusion and support for Indigenous youth. With eight years of teaching experience, Kellie has spearheaded initiatives to create safe spaces for vulnerable students, prioritising personal connections and holistic well-being. Her advocacy efforts as Indigenous Coordinator led to the graduation of a homeless Aboriginal student facing exclusion, highlighting her dedication to individual student success. As the youngest member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Board of Advice, Kellie shares her journey of resilience. Overcoming severe depression and confronting racial bias, Kellie remains steadfast in her mission to empower and uplift her community.

Seleena Blackley, is a dynamic Indigenous leader committed to nurturing the potential of First Nations youth in Mount Isa. Through her roles as a Youth Specialist and Cultural Facilitator, she champions cultural resilience and educational empowerment. Seleena's impactful work extends beyond her community, as she actively engages in truth and treaty initiatives statewide, advocating for Indigenous voices to be heard. Despite facing age-related stereotypes, Seleena's dedication and resilience shine through, inspiring positive change and bridging generational divides. With a deep-rooted passion for preserving Indigenous culture, Seleena continues to pave the way for a brighter future for her community and beyond.

Tahlulah Tillett, Cairns is a beacon of inspiration for Indigenous youth. Tahlulah is the National Rugby League (NRL) Women’s Premiership halfback for North Queensland Cowboys. Tahlulah is a proud Torres Strait Islander. Through her role as NRL Cowboys House ambassador, she mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boarding students, fostering cultural pride and academic achievement. Tahlulah's dedication extends beyond the field as she champions school attendance, rewards academic excellence, and promotes grassroots rugby league participation. Despite balancing her professional rugby career with her extensive community engagements, including recovering from injuries, Tahlulah's unwavering commitment to empowering Indigenous youth and promoting cultural understanding reflects her remarkable leadership and passion.

 

Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award
Ally Zlatar, Toowoomba is championing diversity as she breaks barriers. Ally is the visionary behind "The Starving Artist," an innovative art initiative aimed at revolutionising approaches to mental well-being, climate change, and migrant identity. Ally's commitment has reached over 100,000 lives, with notable achievements like publishing four impactful books, reaching over 500 copies globally. Her exhibitions, including "Voices Above Water," transcend borders, engaging over 900 attendees worldwide. Recognised with prestigious awards like Princess Diana's Legacy Award and the Lifelong Learning Awards, Ally's transformative work continues to inspire, empower, and amplify marginalised voices on a global scale, leaving an indelible mark on communities and individuals alike.

Ebony (Benny) Nielsen, Kingaroy is a trailblazer in motorsports, inspiring women in off-road dirt biking. Benny has been riding dirt bikes for 20 years. In 2022, she represented Australia in France at the International Six Day Enduro where she had a podium finish. As a coach, Ebony empowers novice riders, fostering inclusivity and confidence. Her partnership with FemPro Armour and involvement in female-only tours demonstrate her commitment to advancing women in the sport. Ebony's achievements not only break barriers but also promote safety and recognition for female riders. She's a shining example and ambassador, encouraging more women and girls to pursue their passion for motorsports.

Emily Martin, Collingwood Park pioneers gender equality. Emily is the CEO and Managing Director of Dundies, a female-founded business with a vision to help reduce gender pay gap and provide an opportunity to recruit older women who have left the workforce. Her initiative, the Infant at Work Program, encourages mums to return to work with an option to bring their babies to work. Another initiative, Adversity Award, supports women facing challenges like domestic violence. Emily's leadership has created a diverse workforce, with all-female team members empowered to work from home. Her commitment to women empowerment has earned Emily recognition, including the Women in Business Awards 2020.

Priya Virdee-Hero is an intersectional youth advocate and law student, empowering her community through her roles as Development Director for UN Youth Queensland, Youth Advocate at the Queensland Family & Child Commission, Youth Advisory Council Member at Headspace and Bravehearts, surf lifesaver, Parkrun Director, and Women’s Legal Service volunteer. She was the 2023 Youth Member for Southport within YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, is currently founding the Southport Youth Advisory Council, and was selected as the 2023 Gold Coast Bulletin Young Woman of the Year. Priya is highly passionate about gender equity and diversity, uplifting and supporting other young women to succeed.

 

Sara Diana Faraj, Pialba is leading initiatives, empowering women across diverse platforms. Sara is the youngest Zonta President globally. As a Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Awardee and Fraser Coast Young Citizen of the Year, she advocates for gender equity and community welfare. Sara's leadership extends to her roles as Youth Mayor and President of the Fraser Coast Young Professionals, aiming to amplify women's voices in local governance and business. Despite facing personal challenges and discrimination, Sara perseveres, driven by her family's refugee journey and cultural heritage. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, she uplifts women locally, nationally, and internationally, embodying resilience and empowerment.

 

Special Event Presentations Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity Award
Katja Dedekind has unwavering dedication. Born with a visual impairment, Katja’s para-swimming journey is highlighted by three Paralympic bronze medals and a groundbreaking gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Positioned to lead the Australian Para Team into Paris 2024 and eyeing participation in her hometown at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, Katja's impact extends far beyond the pool. Her achievements are a testament to the transformative power of sports and the resilience of the human spirit. Katja champions inclusivity in sports, advocating for awareness of endometriosis and inspiring community health and well-being. She is an ambassador for Fight4Balance and Swimming Australia’s education program.

Nai'a Coyle, Eleanor exemplifies resilience and dedication in his tennis journey. At just 16, Nai’a has an impressive record of five tournament wins and seven runner-up trophies in 2022 alone, representing the Gold Coast. Despite significant adversities, including his mother's health struggles and his own severe dyslexia, ADHD and chronic asthma, he perseveres, showcasing remarkable strength. Nai'a also volunteers his time coaching young players, organises fundraisers for his tennis club, and raises funds for marine conservation efforts. He has created and sold viking swords, shields and axes at a market at school, raising $1,500 for the Sea Shepherd to help protect marine wildlife.

Natascha Tennent, Carindale defies expectations and inspires others with her unwavering spirit. Overcoming autism, Tourette’s, and the loss of her father, Natascha has risen to become Australia's top female All Abilities player. She has won gold at the Special Olympics and has represented Australia at international events like the World Games. Through her advocacy for disability golf and community engagement, Natascha is empowering individuals facing similar challenges. Her motto, "You don't know until you try," resonates deeply, urging others to pursue their dreams against all odds. Natascha has been selected to play in Portugal in 2024, the only Australian in the All-Abilities Championship.

Timothy Lachlan, Holmview is inspiring inclusion worldwide. Timothy’s initiative, WCMX and Adaptive Skate, reshapes perceptions of adaptive sports and therapy. Overcoming personal challenges such as bullying, suicide attempts and his own autism, Timothy empowers individuals with disabilities, fostering confidence, independence, and inclusion. Through skate sessions, participants gain life-changing mobility skills, breaking down physical and attitudinal barriers. Timothy's resilience and commitment to inclusivity have led to hundreds benefiting from this transformative program across Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland. Their efforts inspire change, demonstrating that with the right support, everyone can achieve their goals and thrive in an inclusive world.

 

Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award
Abbie Williams, Varsity Lakes is championing mental health. Abbie founded Letters of Hope, which transforms lives through heartfelt letters, combatting mental health stigma and fostering global community connections. From a personal struggle with anxiety and depression to a worldwide movement, Abbie's initiative has sent over 3,400 letters across 65 countries. Through partnerships and workshops, she empowers volunteers, recipients, and workplaces to prioritise mental well-being. Her dedication, fuelled by the impact of each handwritten note, epitomises the power of kindness and empathy in addressing mental health challenges. Abbie aims to build a kindness ecosystem that supports individuals worldwide on their journey to healing and connection.

Ally Zlatar, Toowoomba is championing diversity and creativity. Ally’s "The Starving Artist" initiative has empowered lives globally through transformative art initiatives, publications, and exhibitions. Her advocacy for diversity and inclusion breaks barriers, fostering empathy, understanding, and societal change. Ally's publications, featuring over 40 international emerging artists, have reached 500 copies and 30 universities worldwide, reducing stigma and encouraging empathy. Through artist residencies and over 20 exhibitions, including engagements with prestigious institutions like The British Museum, she amplifies creative voices. Ally's innovative approach cultivates a global community that values and celebrates the transformative power of art. In 2021, she received the Princess Diana’s Legacy Award.

Edward Ross, Toowoomba is committed to changing the culture regarding mental health among the blue collar community. Ed is the co-founder of TradeMutt Workwear and TIACS.org, a social enterprise and a mental health telehealth counselling service, respectively. TradeMutt's bold workwear designs serve as conversation starters, raising awareness around mental health. TIACS offers free, accessible mental health support via text and calls, specifically tailored to blue-collar workers' needs. Ed's leadership has propelled TradeMutt's growth, providing funding for over 4557 clients and a market value of $809,300 in services. His profound impact is helping address critical needs in the mental health landscape.

Elijah Richardson, Bargara has a love and passion for the natural world. Hailing from the Great Barrier Reef, Elijah is an 11-year-old eco-warrior who is on a mission to protect marine life and promote environmental awareness. His efforts span beach clean-ups, presentations, and social media campaigns, earning recognition from local councils to international media outlets like ABC's 'War on Waste.' Notably, his advocacy inspired CoralWatch to establish a Youth Ambassador Program. Elijah's message resonates globally: every action counts. Through his CoralWatch and Tangaroa Blue ambassadorships, he champions tangible change, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference in our world's sustainability journey.

Kurt Jones, Kings Beach is creating lasting change for the wellbeing of both people and the planet. At just 20 years old, Kurt has spearheaded Co-Exist Australia, a non-profit that empowers youth to lead environmental conservation efforts. Through initiatives like clean-ups and tree plantings, Co-Exist has already made significant strides, engaging hundreds of young volunteers nationwide. Kurt's journey from high school dreamer to founder showcases his resilience in overcoming challenges, from securing funding to building a dedicated leadership team. Despite initial scepticism, Kurt's vision has flourished. In 2023, he launched nine collectives/teams across Australia. He will launch four more collectives in 2024.

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award
Edward Ross, Toowoomba is committed to changing the culture regarding mental health among the blue collar community. Ed is the co-founder of TradeMutt Workwear and TIACS.org, a social enterprise and a mental health telehealth counselling service, respectively. TradeMutt's bold workwear designs serve as conversation starters, raising awareness around mental health. TIACS offers free, accessible mental health support via text and calls, specifically tailored to blue-collar workers' needs. Ed's leadership has propelled TradeMutt's growth, providing funding for over 4557 clients and a market value of $809,300 in services. His profound impact is helping address critical needs in the mental health landscape.

Exam Insights, Ashmore, is an educational platform tailored for senior secondary students and educators, founded by self-taught software developers Bradley Cox and Jason Zhong. Born out of their struggles in 2023, during their final year of schooling, Exam Insights addresses the challenges faced by Year 11 and 12 students and educators in accessing subject-related resources. The platform offers a comprehensive question database, insights into past exam trends, and the ability to create custom exams seamlessly, saving users hours of time. Today, Exam Insights has evolved to encompass 18 subjects, and, through word-of-mouth, has grown to over 300 schools, benefitting thousands of students and educators in Queensland.

Milly Bannister, Victoria Point is the Founder and Managing Director of ALLKND, Australia’s first digital, peer-to-peer mental health first aid training, impacting thousands of youths. ALLKND has raised over $500,000 for youth mental health and forms strategic partnerships, expanding its reach nationwide. Amelia, an ambassador for Animal Welfare League, QLD, also volunteers in regional Cairns, delivering entrepreneurial keynotes. Inspired by her own challenging and isolating experiences, she champions youth mental health, aiming to impact 1 million and 1 young Australians by 2025. With a dynamic leadership style and an impressive track record, Amelia is a beacon of hope, breaking stigma and saving lives, one Good Mate at a time.

Oliver Barr-David, Gold Coast is a trailblazer in Queensland's educational landscape. Oliver founded the Queensland Study Hub (QSH), a revolutionary academic support platform for ATAR students. Initiated during his final year at Robina State High School, the QSH quickly evolved into a dynamic online platform, engaging thousands of senior students across Queensland. Praised by Professor Tim Kastelle [Kass Tell] and endorsed by schools, the QSH mitigates exam stress and fosters collaboration. Oliver's grassroots marketing approach, overcoming resource constraints, underscores his determination. Through media releases and word of mouth, he amplifies the QSH's reach, overcoming barriers with resilience. Oliver's academic journey and leadership skills converge in his commitment to reshaping education.

Scott Millar, Brisbane is a business leader, keynote speaker, and generational consultant on a mission to help prepare our next generation for the ever changing future of work. Launching his business in early high school, Scott has spent the past 10 years working with over 100,000 young professionals and business leaders around the world to explore how technology and innovation are changing the way we live, work, and learn. As one of Australia's top 30 business leaders under 30 years of age, Queensland’s Young Small Business Leader, APAC's Inspiring Youth Leader, two-time TEDx Speaker, and LGBT advocate, Scott is passionate about inspiring others to seize opportunities in their digital world.

 

2023 Finalists

 

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Entrepreneurship Award

 

Bailey Page is passionate about inventing innovative solutions. Bailey is the Inventor, Founder and Director of Zip Zap Chargers, a unique cableless portable 3-in-1 charger that is capable of charging iPhones, Air Pods and iPads. Since September 2021, Bailey has sold over 6,500 units across Australia and New Zealand in 14 just months. The business turned over six figures in its first five weeks.

Liam Millward developed Instant Checkout in 2021 when he was 17 years old as a solution to abandoned carts for merchants and a seamless checkout experience for consumers. Within 6 months, Instant Checkout was live on online stores and Liam secured $2.2 million in pre-seed funding. Instant Checkout won the 2022 Gold Finder Award, Best Payment Innovation category. In March 2023, Liam represented Australia’s Start-Up Technology Industry at the SXSW Conference in Texas.

 

Luke Strochnetter is committed to learning and growing. Luke began an events and marketing business but lost all his clients when Covid-19 hit. After upskilling himself and continuing to adapt, his agency 360 Degrees Marketing, has thrived and continued to expand now managing major events and brands. In 2021, Luke started a premium pop-up picnic business called Occasions by the Bay and is also a member of multiple local committees.

 

Milly Bannister is delivering a strong impact in the mental health space. Milly is the founder and CEO of ALLKND, a youth-led charity delivering peer-to-peer mental health training programs around Australia. She has built content and research partnership with the University of Queensland’s Social Science Research and School of Psychology. In 2022, ALLKND has grown its digital community by 55% and its revenue by 2200%.

 

Awards Australia Volunteering Award

Breanna Medcalfe is a Health Consumer Representative and Disability Advocate, passionately engaging with the community to create positive change in the health system for young people. She strives to be a voice for those with disability, as she has lived with a spinal cord injury since birth. Breanna helped raise over $160,000 for Make-A-Wish through her journey as a “Wish” recipient. Breanna is in her 4th year studying Law part time.

 

Ehlana Kelly is passionate about disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Ehlana is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has been a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Rural Fire Service Queensland since 2011. She has since become an operational firefighter and volunteer community educator. Ehlana has attended to 300 emergency responses. In 2019, she spent three weeks in rescue efforts for the Townsville floods.

 

Kobe Chun Tie held Townsville's first #RockTheChop event through his Ponytail Project campaign. It began with an endorsement from the Community Engagement officers from the Cancer Council Queensland and later a successful grant application. Local businesses also supported and sponsored the event, which saw around 500 attendees. Kobe raised around $16,373 for the Cancer Council Queensland Rotary Lodge, after donations and raffle ticket sales at the event.

 

Samantha Fien is a volunteer surf lifesaver. She started as a Nipper at the age of 5 and has progressed to become a patrol captain. Dr Sam is the current National Member Wellbeing Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia and Chair of the State Research Panel for Surf Life Saving Queensland. She is a senior lecturer in Exercise and Sport Science at CQUniversity.

 

First National Real Estate Leadership Award

Isabel Natividad is advocating for inclusivity. Isabel is a young LGBTIA+ Aboriginal woman. She took the Inclusivity Leadership position and worked with school leadership. Introduced the celebration of NAIDOC and other Indigenous celebrations, Pride Month and more. In 2021, she was chosen to attend the University of Queensland Young Changemakers program, where she won Best Pitch. She is studying a Bachelor of Science in Physics at the University of Melbourne .

 

Jack Growden has an enduring passion. Jack founded and spearheaded LiteHaus International, a not-for-profit organisation that has provided digital learning opportunities to over 110,000 students across Australia, Papua New Guinea and beyond. He is a Program Advisor to Humanitarian Affairs Asia, where he mentors other founders around the world. In 2020, Jack was named in Courier-Mail’s Top 10 Most Inspiring Queenslanders of the Year.

 

Jeremy Hunt is the Founder and CEO of The VacSeen Project, which provides preventative health solutions, mental health support and primary care to those experiencing disadvantage, particularly homelessness. He leads a team of over 70 volunteers across seven cities, and works with government bodies to improve care models. Jeremy is a non-executive director at the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition and was the 2022 Brisbane Young Citizen of the Year.

 

Mason Hope-Kassulke has been a Headspace national Ambassador and committee member from age 12, joining the national high energy youth engagement committee at 17. Training in suicide prevention and peer support. Mason is a Stories of Hope Ambassador Mental health author and speaker, using his platform as a songwriter to highlight mental health awareness. Mason was a delegate to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy conference.

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award

Atahnee Simpson is a proud Wakka Wakka and Jinibara woman. She works at the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and has recently completed her Certificate IV in Business Operations. She plays a central role in integrating Indigenous culture into the Department, providing insights into how to approach and connect with an Indigenous community respectfully. Atahnee was the 2022 Queensland Indigenous Trainee of the Year.

 

Blake Jones has enriched the wider medical and Australian Indigenous community through research and analytical discourse. In August 2022, he co-authored a published article that promoted the need for continual improvement of self-assessment tests to facilitate the integral safety, care, and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Last December, Blake joined the Queensland Health ‘Patient Safety and Quality’ Informed Consent Advisory Panel.

 

Kaiden Ratcliff is an Aboriginal and Islander artist, swimmer, and all-around sports person. He offers his assistance to teach younger students about Aboriginal Art. He has raised over $2,000 in the ‘Laps for Life’ since 2019, which will go towards “Reach Out” to help kids with mental anguish. Kaiden hopes to teach for free less fortunate young Indigenous up-and-coming swimming stars.

 

Myiesha Yoelu has engaged with young people to strategically plan how the government can approach youth. Myiesha was Chair of the Gudang Yadhaykenu Aboriginal Corporation, where she advocated and transferred eight unallocated islands traditionally owned from Department of Resources back to their rightful owners. She was also part of the Negotiation Committee that fought 362,000 hectares of Traditional Owned Land from Jardine National Parks which were handed back in September 2022.

 

Multicultural Australia Spirit of Resilience Award

Fardowsa Yussuf is a Youth Mentor for the African Youth Support Council, to support youth and the communities. She was the Chair of the Future Leaders Advisory Group and is elected as a Women Convenor for Queensland Young Labor. She is the youngest council member to advise the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard. Fardowsa hopes to create social changes that positively impact her community in Logan both in political and community levels

 

Khin Khin Soe is passionate about empowering and supporting the community. Khin Khin fled Myanmar with her 5-year-old sister when Khin Khin was just 8. She now works as a Teacher Aide, particularly supporting migrant and refugee children with their English. She also empowers refugee women to gain driver’s licences, employment and citizenship. Khin Khin is currently completing a degree in Nursing.

 

Maynah and Jozef Borja Erece are organisers of The Grand Autumn Festival in Springfield, formerly the Philippines-Australia Autumn Festival. They advocate for a world where everyone is treated like family. Maynah has a double degree in Arts and Science with Distinction, and Jozef was once history’s youngest lawyer. Despite Maynah’s severe hearing disability, and Jozef’s tribulations against ageism and racism, they aim to be voices for people whose stories will never be told.

 

Sara Diana Faraj aspires to empower women locally and globally. Sara is a proud Lebanese Kurdish woman and holds the world record as the Youngest Zonta President. She endured racist bullying from an early age from peers, and even a teacher. Sara is also the President of the Fraser Coast Young Professionals Group, Youth Mayor of the Fraser Coast Youth Advisory Council, and was the Fraser Coast Young Citizen of the Year in 2022.

 

Queensland Small Business Commissioner's Small Business Achiever Award

Brothers Support Network - Max Gow is committed to helping young males with disability. Max founded Brothers Support Network to create a community built on the idea that feeling part of something and having mentors and role models are important. He took his first client in February 2022. After just 11 months, he has employed 26 people and helped 22 young males to have a better life.

 

Jazmyn Produces - Jazmyn Smith has directed, shot and produced over 40 music videos and 55 photography sessions since launching in 2021, with clients ranging from The Wiggles' Murray Cook, to Lee Kernaghan. Jazmyn has been flown to Hollywood, Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee for her music videography. Jazmyn employs six young regional locals as Production Assistants, and simultaneously runs a sister brand 'Calamity Jane Music Management' dealing in music marketing and industry mentorship."

 

Maddison Taylor – Little Moves was founded in 2010, offering children with varied backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to learn ballet in a nurturing, creative, and engaging environment. This unique program is led by imagination, movement, storytelling, and play. Little Moves has expanded, teaching nearly 500 children weekly, in both studio and school settings.

 

Yellow Card Builders Pty Ltd - Ryan Dadd Specialises in disability and aged care home modifications. Ryan, Director of Yellow Card Builders Pty Ltd is a licenced carpenter and builder with over 11 years of experience in the building and construction industry. Yellow Card Builders has nine full time employees and had a turnover of over $1.4 million last financial year. They have helped over 4,500 clients to achieve independent living.

 

Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award

Heidi Walkden is a neuroscientist and science policy fellow within the Australian Government. She has worked on “That’s RAD! Science”, a STEM engagement outreach project focused on producing engaging children’s books to promote women in science. Since 2017, they have produced four books and distributed 6,000 copies. Dr Heidi promotes science and women in STEM on radio, events and marketing campaigns.

 

Katura Halleday worked with the United Nations on UN75, engaging local youth in the SDGs through workshops focusing on female education. She met with Ambassadors from Russia, Australia and Mozambique in New York to discuss barriers girls face in accessing education. In 2019, she started a social enterprise 8x8 to educate (pronounced 8 by 8 to Educate) providing scholarships for girls unable to attend school due to poverty and in 2022 expanded to literacy and period poverty programs.

 

Nargis Mardani, a Women's Resilience Event panellist, is starting a youth organization for Afghan refugees. It will provide resources to overcome displacement, language barriers, and social isolation. Nargis previously organized protests to raise awareness about the Afghan crisis. The new initiative aids young refugees and promotes women's solidarity. It seeks to strengthen connections and overcome challenges faced by Afghan refugees.

 

Barbara Armstrong is an award-winning founder and passionate driver of conversations around miscarriage and pregnancy loss. After experiencing her own miscarriage in 2019 and finding gaps in support, she founded her own organisation named in honour of her baby, Sweet Peanuts. Sweet Peanuts is a social enterprise that enables meaningful conversations between friends and family, and reinvests 100% of it's profits to fund and donate miscarriage care packages to hospitals.

 

Special Event Presentations Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity Award

Karen Messmer is an equestrian. After winning gold and two silvers at the Invitational Games, Karen was selected for Team Australia to participate in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin, June 2023. Karen weighed 1lb13oz after being born at 25wks. She has Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD, severe dyslexia, 3 heart surgeries and other complications from birth. Karen’s mother has complex PTSD while her father was tragically murdered in Nov 2021.

 

Nai'a Coyle is a tennis player. His resilience, determination, courage and hard work helped him in overcoming his adversities to achieve his goals to represent the Gold Coast at the teams Carnival and become a finalist in 14 events including the State Teams Leagues Final. His mother was hospitalised with heart surgeries so Nai'a excelled in Distance Education schooling, cooking and tennis training. With extreme dyslexia Nai'a also completed Emerging Leaders Programme and Certificate 3 in fitness.

 

Natascha Tennent is a golfer who has autism and Tourette’s. At four her father passed away and recently her mother had breast cancer. In 2022 Natascha was Australia’s top Female All-Abilities Player and second in the world for under 21 females with intellectual disability. Natascha promotes disability golf by raising awareness with her story. In June 2023, she will represent Australia in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin.

 

Rosie Scarlett is passionate about sports. Rosie has Down Syndrome and Thalassemia, a blood disorder. She plays for the Toowoomba Bears Modified Rugby Team and is one of the first to complete the mentoring course for training newcomers to modified rugby. She is also on the All-Abilities Touch Team. Her team made it to the National Touch League Carnival and placed second.

 

Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award

Aurora Iler is passionate about creating change. Aurora initiated to make a film to help raise awareness among kids and adults not wearing helmets when riding their bikes and scooters, resulting in deaths. The movie created jobs and opportunities for 50+ people. While filming, Aurora brought other children to step into crew roles and be mentored by adults who work in the field.

 

Hoedowns for Country Towns - Claire Harris and Kate Strong embarked on a bootscooting road trip around Australia in 2022 teaching line dancing, putting events back on the calendar for rural communities, and raising money for seven rural charities. Across nine months, the duo ran 75 hoedowns in halls, pubs, schools, outback stations and everything in between, danced with nearly 3000 people from all walks of life, and raised $38,250.

 

Kobe Chun Tie held Townsville's first #RockTheChop event through his Ponytail Project campaign. It began with an endorsement from the Community Engagement officers from the Cancer Council Queensland and later a successful grant application. Local businesses also supported and sponsored the event, which saw around 500 attendees. Kobe raised around $16,373 for the Cancer Council Queensland Gluyas Rotary Lodge, after donations and raffle ticket sales at the event.

 

Rheanca Lincoln is always looking to improve her community. Rhea founded “itchY”, a support group for young people with eczema. The group aimed to support young people going through the journey and work together and tackle other equality issues within the skin disorders such as racial bias in treating skin disease. The group has had three peer-to-peer support meetings so far.

 

 

The Coffee Club Hospitality and Customer Service Award

Anthony (Antonis) Kekkou has a never-give-up attitude. Antonis started Andonis Cafe and Bar in 2018, funded by $3,500 in the trading account. By 2022, the Adonis Cafe group has grown to have seven outlets and surpassed $10m in turnover. In 2021, they broke the world record by delivering 3,000 bacon and egg brioche rolls to the community as a form of thank you.

 

Connor Shore is passionate about bringing people together to enjoy themselves. Connor is the Head Chef of City Winery Brisbane, which provides space for private functions, events, modern restaurant, and private dining. He leads a team of chefs in making memorable food experiences that create positive emotions. Connor earned a Bachelor of Culinary Arts from Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, New Zealand.

 

Gabrielle Inwood is committed to her craft. Gabby is a Demi pastry chef at Cucina Vivo, a 5-star dining venue at The Star Gold Coast, a tourism and entertainment destination. She is responsible for ensuring every dessert is of the highest standard. She has created signature dishes and will soon release Instagrammable desserts. Gabby is part of the Queensland Government’s Apprenticeship Advisory Reference Group.

 

Hammy's Cupcakes - Hamish Brown uses his business as a force for good. Hamish founded Hammy’s Cupcakes in 2019. Within the past 10 months, sales have increased by 300% after shifting sales online. Hamish has raised over $20,000 for charities. He won the 2022 Australian Small Business Champion Young Entrepreneur. He was named one of Toowoomba’s Top 30 under 30 Influential People and a Triple M Local Legend along with Toowoomba Chamber awards.

 

Luke Strochnetter boasts of entrepreneurial spirit, next-level customer service and passion. In 2021, Luke started Occasions by the Bay, a pop-up picnic business that sets up Premium Picnics on the stunning Fraser Coast. In the first year of operation, he had set up 150 picnics / events and was a part of four weddings. Occasions by the Bay has been awarded Highly Commended for Best New Business at the Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards.

 

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award

Charlie Erlewein is a passionate and driven 11-year-old who is inciting change for the future of Turtles and marine life. A member of the Straw No More organisation, Charlie has lobbied three councils across Australia on their single-use plastic straw and plastics policy. Charlie is a volunteer and educator at Team Turtle CQ, Hatchlings Team Turtle CQ and Great Keppel Island Turtle Fund. Charlie was named 2023 Young Citizen of the Year, Livingston Shire Council.

 

Dylan Conway is committed to changing the culture of education. Dylan started a charity that has donated over 6,000 books and $140,000 to veteran charities. He has established over 23 community libraries in police stations, veteran centres, hospitals and military units. Dylan has been an Infantry Officer in the Australian Army for 11 years. He has overcome nine surgical operations.

 

Katura Halleday advocates worldwide for educational equality in developing nations, addressing the United Nations in 2019. Katura founded 8x8 to Educate, a social enterprise with three income streams, book sales, art exhibitions and speaking engagements. 100% of the profits are used to fund her scholarship program in Mozambique and Tanzania. In 2022, Katura expanding to include literacy programs and a micro-business in Mozambique that produces reusable pads and menstrual health education.

 

Milly Bannister is helping remove barriers to mental health literacy education. Milly is the founder and CEO of ALLKND, a youth-led charity delivering digital, peer-to-peer mental health first aid training programs in high schools, workplaces, universities and youth services for anyone under 30. ALLKND has raised over $500,000. They aim to educate one million and one by the end of 2025.

 

 

 

 

2022 Finalists

 

First National Leadership Award

Jack Growden 24 of Townsville founded LiteHaus International, a not-for-profit that has provided digital learning opportunities to over 40,000 students across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Pakistan. Jack also volunteers as Program Advisor to Humanitarian Affairs Asia, where he mentors other founders. He is a QLD Finalist in the Young Australian of the Year 2022 and was named 2020 Emerging Philanthropist of the Year.

 

Dr Tahnee Bridson, 29 of Mareeba founded Hand-n-Hand Peer Support Inc. in 2020. The bi-national organisation provides peer support to all healthcare workers in Australia and New Zealand who may be experiencing wellbeing or mental health difficulties. What began as a small WhatsApp chat is now a group with over 2000 healthcare workers on social media. Dr Tahnee was awarded 2022 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland.

 

Renee Cremer, 27 of Miles is a proud Yuin woman. In 2019, Renee represented Australia at the OECD Forum in Paris as a national scholar for Global Voices, where she researched and wrote about improving outcomes for migrant women. In 2021, she became the first Australian delegate to the G7 Youth Engagement Forum (G7). Renee was also selected as one of the 2020 REDxYouth Activators.

 

 

Englander Davis Online Achiever Award

Edward Bailey, 23 of Toowong created the online initiative Veteran Mindfulness Australia which is helping combat PTSD and mental health issues in the veteran community. His program has over 4,000 Aussie veterans receiving weekly assistance and continues to grow daily. The free program combines the traditional approach of regular psychologist calls with the holistic support of online mindfulness activities to help improve veterans mental wellbeing.

 

Jordi Kitto - #blockit, 25 of Brisbane created the app #blockit to help people stay focused, productive, and happier without having to remove the good that the internet can bring. The app can block distractions on social media, YouTube, and Reddit while still allowing notifications, chat and joining groups. Jordi innovated on ad blocker technology. His app is available for iPhone, iPad and Mac via blockit.app.

 

Jack Bloomfield - Disputify, 19 of Brisbane started Disputify at age 17 to solve his own personal problems in eCommerce and help make the internet a safer place. Disputify helps merchants identify and reward trustworthy customers. They now have over 400 live merchants and profiles on 2m customers globally. Jack has raised $3.8m from global investors and works with a small team based in Brisbane.

 

 

Leveraged Solutions Entrepreneurship Award

Emily Martin, 23 of Collingwood Park founded Dundies, an Australian-made, eco-friendly and reusable pet nappy business on a mission to reduce animal euthanasia rates globally. Emily was inspired by Sophie, her mischievous but super cuddly pup whom she saved from scheduled euthanasia. Emily started with 12 months of research and development, working alongside veterinarians and pet health professionals. Dundies company turnover increased 93% in 2021.

 

Our Pixie Friends Pty Ltd, 12 of Victoria Point is a website created by Siobhan Wilson, where children with medical needs can have fun exploring the fantasy world, Sprizzletania. The website also enables listening to stories about being kind and inclusive. Siobhan sells a range of merchandise, including her book, and donates 10% of her sales to medical research to benefit children. She hopes to raise $1m for medical research.

 

Conquer Pty Ltd, 26 of Kingaroy was founded by Christian Sutton, who currently runs two 24/7 fitness facilities. He expanded to engage a team of Allied Health professionals, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, psychologists, nurses and more to provide services to their clientele as well as to an ageing population and disability clients. Christian has grown his business to a team of 20 and a ten times turnover.

 

 

Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award

Amy Tobin, 27 of Burleigh Heads runs ‘Now I Can Run’, an Australia-wide not-for-profit organisation to raise money for children and adults with disabilities to purchase race runners and fund the costs o sending them to events and training them in race running. Amy has a diagnosed disability of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She is dedicated to allowing others the opportunity to reach for the starts.

 

Mary Pearson, 29 of Townsville is an Accredited Domestic and Family Violence Social Worker. From 2019, she co-developed and ran support programs for victim-survivors of domestic and family abuse. Mary facilitated community mental health workshops and performed counselling for a psychology clinic and other local service providers. She was instrumental in forming Iron Heart Warriors Inc, a peer support group for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.

 

Fardowsa Mohamed Yussuf, 23 or Regent Park is a Youth Mentor for the African Youth Support Council, delivering programs to engage youth in schools, youth Detention Centres, family, and communities. She joined many forums with Human right Commission to discuss and find ways to support our communities. She was chairwoman for FLAG in Multicultural Australia and elected for policy for Queensland Young Labor. Fardowsa wants real changes.

 

Amelia Ayris, 15 of Greenbank writes and produces award-winning films and documentaries to raise awareness about depression, self-harm, anxiety, assault and sexual abuse and empowering young people to speak out. She also writes and records songs about these issues. She is also involved in child protection education with Bravehearts. In 2021, she was invited as guest and speaker at the National Child Protection Forum in Darwin.

 

 

Soroptimist Women Empowering Others Award

Natasha Smith, 24 of Limestone Ridges was the face of the ‘Pump the brakes’ project, an article targeting career choices based on gender tradition. Natasha was also part of the ‘Girls on Track’ initiative, which holds events for school girls to help grow interest in STEM subjects. In 2019, Natasha won the Toyota national skills competition as a technician, the first female in Australia and globally to win.

 

Mimi Robinson, 27 of Beenleigh created Reform Recovery, inspired by her own experience of trauma and drug addiction in her past. Reform Recovery provides educational presentations to other organisations and individuals to identify at-risk behaviours that might require support from professionals. Mimi also partnered with Nightlight Outreach, where she offers support to anyone needing assistance on everyday life skills, mental health and prevention and relapse plans.

 

Amber-Lee Buendicho, 29 of Ormeau Hills created The Power of Birth, a community where women can share their stories and connect with each other. Amber-Lee works to provide support and conversations about all experiences in pregnancy, birth and motherhood through social media, podcasts and a website. In 2020, she planned and managed the event called “Big Talk, Small Changes” and raised $6330 for Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia.

 

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award

Ashlei Major, 23 of Belgian Gardens is a proud Waluwarra woman who uses her art to connect with her ancestry and culture. She shares her creations online, with some videos reaching over 1.4m views. Ashlei recently graduated from Huxley School of Makeup. Between working at a local beauty salon and her personal clients, she also managed to land content creator jobs with brands like Mecca and Sephora.

 

Jakob Hearn, 19 of Worongary founded Smaller Smiles. This volunteer organisation strives to educate younger members of the community on the importance of oral health. They work with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation to achieve this goal. Jakob is also a Team Leader for Clinics for Kids, a volunteer organisation that provides free dental care to underserviced, underprivileged communities around the world.

 

Daniel Rosendale, 23 of Cairns is a proud Gugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanjii man, who at 18 y/o co-founded Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good, a youth organisation that inspires, equips and empowers the next generation. He is actively involved the Queensland Youth Leadership Program and was appointed lead mentor for the program in 2021. He was selected as one of Queensland’s 2022 Young Tourism Leaders.

 

 

Bendigo Bank Community Volunteer Award

Amber Stewart, 25 of Dirranbandi has been an executive on the Dirranbandi Progress Association, which represents the voice of the Dirranbandi community directly to the local council. She recently took the role of secretary of the Dirranbandi Local Youth Agriculture Pathways subcommittee, which raised $260,000 to support youth studying agriculture. At 21, Amber took the role of President of the P&C while working as teacher aide.

 

Harrison Vale, 20 of Alexandra Headlands started Blokes Prosper, a not-for-profit aimed at breaking the stigma around men with mental health issues and creating a place to talk and connect. Harrison founded the organisation after a friend committed suicide following a long battle with mental health issues. He raised around $40,000 in its first year. Harrison posts daily on Instagram and has engaged with many young men.

 

Cody Schaeffer, 28 of Alexandra Hills has been volunteering since he was 15, planning and running events to benefit youth across Queensland. Cody started his own charity, Borderline Australia. He runs the popular Borderline Youth Camps program. In 2022, his focus is largely on youth mental health and helping young people through their darkest days via free programs that Cody himself created. He volunteers around 50 hours weekly.

 

 

Qoin Small Business Achiever Award

Katie, founder of Sabbia Co, 27 of Burleigh Heads creates facial kits out of sustainable, biodegradable, reusable and chemical-free tools. Katie also works with 3 Australian labs to create sustainably sourced and packaged skincare. They now have over 25 skin tools and skincare products. Katie has grown Sabbia Co from a $5,000 investment to a 6-figure business in just three months. They have one full-time, one part-time employee and two interns.

 

Tyler Small, 27 of Paddington founded Ritual HQ (RHQ), a community-focused gym with two locations. RHQ has become a local hub for those who want to engage in quality coaching and training and be part of a community of like-minded individuals. When Covid hit in 2020, the team pivoted online and implemented new systems. They recently implemented an apprenticeship program and an annual education bond for their staff.

 

Milton Rum Distillery, 27 of East Brisbane a historic Brisbane brand revived by 27 year-old, Alexander Bell in 2018. Their first product, the Spiced Cane Spirit, is an award-winning spirit that utilises an innovative vapour infusion process and fresh Australian botanicals. From humble beginnings, they have achieved state-wide distribution in Dan Murphy’s and First Choice, and will be exporting their rum to several countries in East Africa.

 

 

Special Event Presentation Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity Award

Anthony-Jonathon Goldsmith, 18 of Westlake is the only competitor representing Queensland in youth and open categories for lead, speed and boulder rock climbing. Despite being homelessness in 2015 and facing economic hardships, AJ never missed training. In 2018, he contracted glandular fever and ongoing chronic-fatigue, while still training twice daily. AJ works as a climbing coach. His goal is to make the worlds and Olympic rock-climbing teams.

 

Sean Kendrick, 17 of Westlake plays blind cricket at international level and is the youngest person to join the Australian training squad. Sean plays at national level in goalball, and previously swimming and cross country. Sean has competed at a state level for athletics, and participated in triathlons. Sean was born with bilateral anophthalmia (no eyes). He hopes to represent Australia in the Paralympics 2032.

 

Amy Tobin, 27 of Burleigh Heads is the first person with profound disabilities to complete the Honolulu Marathon in 2018. She completed the 2019 Melbourne and Noose triathlon and the 2020 Honolulu and Gold Coast virtual marathons. Amy was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Between 2017 and 2022, Amy has walked multiple times with the help of her walker for 5kms to fundraise money for kids with disabilities.

 

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award

Daniel & William Clarke, 25 & 23 of Thornlands are passionate conservationists who have raised over $967,000 for critically endangered orangutan rescue, rehabilitation and release programs. The brothers’ literary work on orangutan conservation has been incorporated into the NSW Department of Education curriculum. They have spoken to at least 93 schools and 81,000 students Australia-wide. Daniel has cerebral palsy but believes it is not a barrier to achieving goals.

 

Ned Heaton, 14 of Sherwood founded The Turtle Tribe at the age of 11, with the mission of reducing ocean plastics by educating people about the global threat of plastic pollution. Calling for a ban on plastic toothbrushes, The Turtle Tribe is now one of Australia's largest suppliers of bamboo toothbrushes. Ned’s latest project is crowd-funding his educational children’s picture book, ‘Say No to Plastic!’

 

Rachael Pascua, 24 of Kingston is a Program Coordinator who has helped evolve and grow R4Respect, a peer-to-peer education program at YFS. R4Respect is an education and prevention strategy led by young people in Logan and surrounds to prevent domestic and family violence. Rachael also helped establish the companion Men4Respect program. Her team has interacted with over 600,000 young people through face-to-face sessions and online activities.

 

Leveraged Solutions Innovation Award

Cam Martin, 25 of Brisbane is the founder and creator of Work Window, the first Australian-made, virtual reality-based careers exploration app. Through interactive virtual reality experiences, they transport students to the workplaces of their interest so they can make informed decisions and build confidence. Work Window’s mission is to provide equitable access to career information, regardless of location, socio-economic status, or the school they attend.

 

Sian Murray, 29 of Sunshine Beach is the co-founder of Pleasant State, a start-up that has developed Australia’s first just-add-water cleaning bars. The plant-based cleaning bar helps reduce toxic chemicals and plastics in homes. Pleasant State has helped 12,491 homes make the switch to better cleaning products. They have generated 25,363 litres of toxin-free cleaning products and has donated $10,053 to Take 3 for the Sea.

 

 

 

 

2021 Finalists

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award

 

• Letitia Smith, 21 of The Range advocates on behalf of people who don’t have a voice for themselves. Letitia is a proud Goreng Goreng /Bunjulung woman. She works with disengaged kids in care to ensure they remain connected to their culture. She has delivered key issues to Director Generals and Ministers and has sat on the Board of the National Healing Foundation and spoken with community members and elders on issues and how to heal as one. In 2018, Letitia entered the Miss NAIDOC Competition, where she mentored other participants and won the Miss Leadership Award. She has attended the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

 

• Ella Ceolin, 22 of Rockhampton is fighting against cultural inequities in the health and education sectors. Ella is a proud Aboriginal woman with cultural connections to the Djabugay and Wulguruka groups. She has been involved in outreach at the University of Queensland (UQ) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, encouraging young Indigenous students to finish high school and consider tertiary education. She has worked as a tutor, offering free government tutoring for Indigenous university students. Currently a medical student, Ella has served as Indigenous Officer for the UQ Medical Society and as UQ representative on the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, where she is also a Board Member

 

• Jed Fraser, 24 of Kelvin Grove is committed to inspiring his people and promoting Indigenous voices. As Student Ambassador with the Oodergoo Unit (Queensland University of Technology’s Indigenous Support Unit), Jed went to communities, schools and events to promote tertiary education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. He became a member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, which worked to build partnerships between universities and Indigenous allied health students and eliminate racism. Jed co-founded Indigoso, QUT’s Indigenous Student Society. He has completed a Masters of Public Health and Bachelor of Exercise Movement Science. Jed hopes to either take Postdoctoral Fellowship or get into Community Control health management

 

• Kyle Ryan, 21 of Inala has a passion for the Indigenous Community. Kyle is on the Inala Wangarra Board, who support local Indigenous events and people to ensure culture is being practised and oversee programs providing legal support for juvenile offenders. Kyle is an ambassador at Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation, where he shares his story and provides information about life after high school. As part of the ATSI Studies Unit at University of Queensland, Kyle mentors at domestic outreach camps. He is part of the Queensland Australian Indigenous Health Council’s Indigenous Youth Health Committee, which develops the QLD ATSI Health Strategy for 2020-2023

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award

 

• Angelique Hallett, 17 of Sippy Creek is making a change in the lives of children affected by domestic violence. Angelique started Loving Hope Bears, a social enterprise that allows customers the opportunity to support children in local domestic violence shelters by giving them a new teddy bear. Her goal is to dramatically decrease the long-lasting effects of domestic violence on children by providing them with comfort. To develop her entrepreneurial skills, Angelique completed programs for young entrepreneurs and has earned Diplomas in Business and Event Management. Angelique was awarded the 2021 Young Citizen of the Year for the Sunshine Coast

 

• Ned Heaton, 13 of Sherwood is an advocate for ocean conservation. At age 11, Ned founded The Turtle Tribe, which manufactures bamboo toothbrushes and helps educate and empower Australians to reduce plastic waste and reduce ocean plastics. They have pledged to give away 1 million bamboo toothbrushes. Ned has appeared in media, spoken at public and business events, visited suppliers, participated in beach clean-ups and networked with other ocean conservation organisations. He is currently undertaking International Baccalaureate studies at the Queensland Academy for Science, Math and Technology, graduating Magna Cum Laude in his first year. He aspires to take Marine Science or Engineering at UQ

 

• Nina Sackprasith, 29 of Holland Park is empowering young girls from impoverished communities. Nina founded Vivre Co Australia, a social enterprise providing education to African girls living in poverty through her beauty and dance initiatives. Nina has partnered with Bikema Academic Centre in Malawi, Africa, to resolve systematic issues around education, poverty and gender equality by funding the tuition fee of girls and placing them into the “Girls Scholarship Program.” She is sponsoring 40 students into school, providing 4300 days of education. Nina studied social entrepreneurship whilst at Business at Queensland University of Technology. She has been awarded the UQ Employability Award and is a UQ Future Leader

 

• Nathan Kinch, 29 of Burleigh Heads is changing the way people around the world interact with digital services. Nathan is the co-founder and CEO of Greater Than X, data ethics and Trust by Design services. They have helped contribute to more privacy-enhancing, ethical and trustworthy services around the world. Their models and methods have become the foundation of consent-based data sharing in Australia’s Consumer Data Right and the UK’s Open Banking. Nathan also co-founded Greater Than Learning, a dedicated community and social learning platform for ethical change-makers. They help people learn and apply new skills that help them make meaningful change through their work

 

Qoin Small Business Achiever Award

 

• Connor McKay, 23 of Townsville is the Director of the North QLD branch of The Physio Movement (TPM). Born in 2015, TPM has grown from just one Physiotherapist and one Exercise Physiologist to six Physiotherapists, two Chiropractors, an Exercise Physiologist, a Massage Therapist and a Dietician. TPM focuses on each individual patient, devising treatment plans to suit their unique activity. They recorded a first-year revenue totalling over $1 million and financial growth of over 51% from 2020 to 2021. During Covid-19, Connor worked to ensure practitioners were able to continue practising through telehealth appointments and helped manage the mental health of his staff members

 

• Scott Millar, 20 of Newstead turned a school business project into a thriving education company. Scott co-launched BOP Industries, with a mission to inspire the next generation of digital creators. They deliver programs teaching primary and high school students 21st-century skills around entrepreneurship, innovation and STEM. Their programs were backed by the knowledge and expertise of their educators and industry partners. Since 2018, they have worked with 50,000 students in over 36 locations worldwide. They have received a $30,000 investment from Queensland University of Technology and a $50,000 investment from Rio Tinto. Scott previously founded a holographic entertainment company while he was a Year 12 student

 

• Tammy Fit, 26 of Robina is inspiring women to be the best versions of themselves mentally and physically. Founded in 2015, Tammy Hembrow Fitness began as Tammy’s personal brand, which evolved to become the product company for the Tammy Fit app’s success. They now have over 12 million fans worldwide. The company is partnering with other fitness brands to create a holistic product offering. Tammy Fit features regular updates to keep content current and relevant, including home workouts for users who found their gyms suddenly closed due to Covid-19. Tammy Fit recently held its first-ever 8-week challenge, allowing them to donate to a chosen charity each week

 

• Connor Marriott, 25 of Merrimac founded Instinct Education, an online education platform helping business owners develop, implement and optimise business growth principles, including client generation strategies, online advertising, sales and marketing and more. From a Done-For-You marketing company, Instinct Education transitioned to a Done-With-You online education model, to lower cost solutions and reach more people. Connor developed an online course and training program that grew his business from $0 to $1 million in annual revenue. Connor also started Eternum Labs, an online supplement company providing health and nutritional supplements to help entrepreneurs perform at their peak. Connor’s companies employ seven full-time employees and dozens of contractors

 

Leveraged Solutions Health and Wellbeing Award

 

• Dr Mikaela Seymour, 28 of Hamilton is committed to rural health outcomes in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Mikaela is a medical doctor who works in Middle Fly, PNG as an Aerial Health Patrol team member, providing essential public and preventative medical care. Dr Seymour founded the Project Yumi Bush Dokta Initiative, after realising many rural health clinics were not receiving essential equipment and supplies. Through the Initiative, Mikaela has assisted rural health care workers on the frontline in supporting their communities. Throughout 2019, she was able to transport donations to hospitals. Mikaela has committed to further study a Masters of Public Health to improve the Initiative’s effectiveness

 

• Paige Preston, 27 of Fortitude Valley takes an evidence-based approach to keeping Queenslanders safe from skin cancer. Paige is the Chair of Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee, leading the development of programs, policies and activities in the fight against skin cancer. Some of her work includes coordinating practical programs to protect young people from harmful UV exposure, launching a cancer prevention program specifically targeting educators, using social media to inform the community about the importance of being “SunSmart”, and advocating for the government to invest in mass media skin cancer prevention campaign. Paige is a leading member of the QLD Skin Cancer Prevention Collaborative

 

• James Gillespie, 23 of Cannon Hill is committed to helping people access affordable healthcare. James founded and singlehandedly built MindTheGap, a healthcare comparison directory in Australia, after seeing firsthand how complex medical accessibility could be. Over the last four years, he has spent hours researching, calling and compiling data on medical and dental practices to upload to MindTheGap. They now list over 8,000 doctors and dentists, making it easier for the community to access critical primary and specialist healthcare. Over 130,000 Australians have now used MindTheGap. This was accomplished whilst studying Commerce/Law full-time, working part-time as teacher aide, and volunteering as rowing and handball coach

 

• Summer Farrelly, 13 of Kalkie is an autistic advocate, public speaker and innovator. Summer created “Chickens To Love”, a program that helps autistic and neurodivergent people develop their understanding of social dynamics and their own and others’ emotions and perspectives, identifying consent touch, building resilience, fostering self-acceptance and empowering others. She has shared her personal insight and the benefits of animal connection. She has become a recognised and valued contributor within the Animal Assisted Learning and Therapy platforms. As a teen with autism, Summer often steps out of her comfort zone to share vulnerable, raw and real moments of life challenges faced by those with autism

 

Awards Australia Community Volunteer Award

 

• Aimee Segal, 15 of Townsville is committed to helping MS sufferers live independent and fulfilling lives. Aimee has raised $30,000 for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Queensland in the last seven years. Despite having been diagnosed with MS on Christmas Eve 2020, Aimee has accepted the challenge head-on. She is working with MS Queensland to develop some information services and work through ways to help young people try and navigate school and teenage life. As Covid-19 cancelled MS swimathons, Aimee organised a personal fundraiser, contacted local politicians and friends and organised a flash mob with the school dance team. She raised over $2,100 during the lockdown

 

• Manny Findlay, 19 of Algester is a community crusader in waste management, known as “Manny the Bin Man”. As a community volunteer, he cleans the community, recycles thousands of bottles and cans yearly and offers a professional wheelie bin cleaning service. As a young man growing up with autism, Manny has been bullied and ridiculed. Raised to be kind, with good values and a love of nature, he works hard to ignore those who disrespect him. He actively promotes recycling and green waste on his social media page. Manny has received the Spirit of Brisbane Award and the Local Legends Award

 

• Clancy and Harry Taske, 10 and 13 of Redland Bay are committed to making life-long impacts on people. Each year, the brothers choose an organisation who help people in need and organise a donation to help that group. They put the call out to their schools, friends, family members and extra-curricular groups. They collect the items such as blankets for the homeless, food hampers, backpacks for children who are victims of domestic violence and second-hand sporting goods for drought-affected areas of outback Queensland. They most recently collected items for RizeUp, an organisation that rehomes women and families who fled domestic violence situations. The boys set themselves a goal every year

 

• Layne Utz, 17 of Thornlands has a passion for the environment. Layne started Litter Legends, a volunteer organisation that conducts weekly clean-ups and remove litter and illegal dumping from roadsides and bushland in Redland City. Layne posts on social media to raise awareness and inspire others. Litter Legends has hosted a total of 77 volunteer clean-ups, removed 324 bags of litter and encouraged 69 community members to volunteer. Layne also volunteers with Ocean Crusaders, Redlands Rugby League Club, Foodbank Queensland, Sea Shepherd: marine debris clean-ups, and Keep Queensland Beautiful clean-ups. He was a finalist for the Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards in 2019 and 2020

 

First National Real Estate Leadership Award

 

• Letitia Smith, 21 of The Range is a proud Goreng Goreng/ Bunjulung woman and domestic violence survivor. Letitia has sat on the Board of the National Healing Foundation and spoken with community members and elders on key issues and how to heal as one. She has taken key issues from communities and delivered them to Director Generals and Ministers. She has worked with Deadly Choices to help Indigenous People maintain a healthy lifestyle and ran programs to keep children in school. At the 2018 Miss NAIDOC competition, she proactively mentored participants and engaged with younger youth. Letitia has attended the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program three times

 

• Majella Ritchie, 28 of Aspley is working towards supporting disengaged youth and closing the gap in Indigenous Education. In 2017, Majella became the youngest principal in Australia and helped increase her school’s average attendance rate to 98%. She mentors beginning teachers on the importance of understanding Aboriginal and Torres Islander cultural links and embedding them in the classroom. Majella led a petition and contacted Unilever to discuss issues associated with young people using Rexona cans as inhalant. She communicated with Queensland Police to strategize ways to prevent children from chroming. Majella has a Post Graduate in Special Needs Education and Diploma of Criminal Psychology and Justice

 

• Liam Millward, 17 of Victoria Point has a passion for improving the world for all. Liam successfully helped set up a youth council after noticing that decisions about kids were being made without actually talking to the kids. He became Chair of the Youth Council for the Redlands in 2019. Liam set up his first business at age 13, which evolved and led to creating an online e-magazine called Navigate Australia. The magazine highlights places to visit and promoted tourism within Australia. Liam has completed a Double Diploma in Business/Communication and Marketing. He is currently formulating a new business direction, with support from investors and qualified people

 

• Ella Ceolin, 22 of Rockhampton is championing the fight against cultural inequities in the health and education sectors. A proud Aboriginal woman, Ella has been involved in the outreach as the University of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, where she encourages Indigenous students to pursue education – finish high school and consider tertiary education – and offers free government tutoring for Indigenous university students. Ella is a medical student who is currently a Board Member and Student Director at the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association. She was the 2020 Indigenous Officer within the UQ Medical Society. Ella aspires to be an Indigenous doctor for Indigenous People

 

BB Print Regional Achiever Award

 

• Allycia Staples, 25 of Glasshouse Mountains is an artist and disability advocate. She was a member of the Co-Design Committee for Australia’s first National Youth Disability Summit. Conducted entirely online, the Summit was attended by over 250 young people and 400 guests, providing a platform for young people under 30 with a disability to come together, connect and talk about their lived experience and ideas in a safe environment. Allycia has also created a video for The Women of the World Festival, sharing her story as a young performing artist with disability. She works for Bush Kids, a disability service organisation supporting children under six years old

 

• Brody Allison, 17 of Meadowvale is a regional cyclist and role model. Brody has competed in his first state Track Championships at Anna Mears Velodrome, picking up one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. He has been selected in the Queensland Junior Track Team to compete at the National Track Cycling and National Road Cycling Championships. He was crowned Bundaberg Junior Road Cyclist of the Year and competed at the Bundaberg International Track Carnival, getting seven first-prize wins. Brody is a member of the Bundaberg Cycling Club, where he helps other junior riders get warmed up and organised, and provides encouragement and advice

 

• Aimee Segal, 15 of Townsville is community-focused. Aimee has been a major supporter and fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Queensland, raising over $30,000 alone. Her passion started when she swam in her first MS Swimathon at age seven years old and has since made it her mission to work hard to raise funds to enable those with MS to have the most independent and fulfilling life possible. She holds speeches at school assemblies, speaks to the local newspaper, and has gone to visit a new MS Wellbeing Centre in Brisbane. In December 2020, Aimee was diagnosed with MS and has only recently regained her full speech

 

• Carla Schesser, 26 of Gold Coast has worked hard to overcome incredible odds. Carla worked her way up to become CEO of Five By Five, a $3 million revenue digital agency. Despite Covid-19, she was able to keep all of their staff employed and steered the company to a 48% profit growth. Carla published her first book, “#Success: Mastering the Basics to a Happy, Healthy and Wealthy Life”, at age 19. Carla is a Rare Disease Day Ambassador, having first-hand experience of being born with a rare and undiagnosed disease that has left her physically weak and told she would never walk – something that she has proven wrong. Carla won the 2017 Cairns Regional Council Young Women of the Year

 

Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award

 

• Amelia Ayris, 14 of Greenbank uses her platform to give voice to those who have none. Amelia has worked in theatre, film and television and sings professionally. Amelia started AHA Pictures Pty. Ltd., a production company where Amelia writes and produces films to educate, empower and encourage her peers. Her short film, “Short Sleeves”, is about self-harm and mental health issues in teens and won Best Student Film at a film festival in the United States. Amelia is a junior ambassador for Bravehearts, a child protection organisation; Restitch, an organisation promoting clothes recycling and; Blue Hope, a charity tackling mental health issues

 

• Summer Farrelly, 13 of Kalkie is promoting the benefits of human and animal connection. Summer has created “Chickens To Love”, a program designed to help autistic and neurodivergent people develop their understanding of social dynamics and their own emotions, build resilience and empower others. The program is written in a way that it gives neurotypicals a bird’s eye view from an autistic perspective. As a teen with autism, Summer faces daily challenges of self-regulation of emotions in a rational way, heightened anxiety and depression, self-harm and more. Summer is a public speaker, consultant and Animal Therapies LTD ambassador. She has over 17,000 followers on Facebook

 

• Katie Norbury, 25 of Newmarket is ending the stigma around vaginal health. Katie runs an Instagram called Get Papped, aiming to normalise women’s health and make people accountable for getting a pap smear. Katie has cards for 25th birthdays to be gifted to friends which come with a promise that the giver would attend the pap smear if the recipient is scared to go alone. She has done podcasts to promote women’s health, answer questions and recommend friendly, approachable doctors. She encourages other women to get their pap smear and stop it from being taboo subject. Katie has a degree in Communication and Marketing

 

• Katura Halleday, 16 of Tallai advocates for educational equality both locally and internationally. Katura travelled to Africa and featured in a documentary “Katura’s Story”, highlighting her fundraising and the importance of education in the developing world. She was invited to presented the documentary at the United Nations in New York in February 2020. Katura started 8X8 to Educate, a social enterprise where they raise funds through sales of a published novel that she illustrated, annual Art Competition, sponsorships and speaking engagements, donating all profits to education in the developing world. Currently a Year 10 student, Katura obtained academic honors in 2020.

 

2020 Finalists

BB Print Regional Achiever Award

Amber Stewart, 23 of Dirranbandi is passionate about giving back to her community. Amber lives in Dirranbandi, a remote rural community that has been in drought for seven years and is active in committees, fundraisers and community events. She is a youth representative at Community Advisory Network Committee and was President of the Parents and Citizen’s Association in 2017 and 2018. As Treasurer of Dirrabandi Progress Association, she co-created a Dirranbandi Lighting Project that won a $60,000 grant to implement tree lights along the main street River and Rail Precinct. Amber won Dirranbandi Miss Showgirl 2015 and 2016 and was nominated for Balonne Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards 2020 – Citizen of the Year.

Cory Towner, 28 of Blacks Beach is committed to sustainability. As head of development at Seta Industries, Cory developed an operation to substantially reduce waste plastic in the agricultural and horticultural industry, reduce operational expenses of struggling growers and recycle or reuse plastics that would likely end up in landfill or ocean. He has engaged the local council and orchestrated monthly meetings with Bowen Growers Association, State and Federal members, Department of Infrastructure and Development Fund representatives, local growers, local contractors, leading plastic manufacturers and environmental consultants. Cory and Seta Industries hope to develop a plastics recycling facility to recycle “end of life” products into renewable energy.

Isabella Gosling, 25 of Glenvale is empowering rural women. Isabella is the Secretary of QENDO, a not-for-profit that provides support, education and awareness to anyone affected by endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or infertility. She launched QENDO’s Endomeets into rural Queensland to raise awareness, reduce misinformation and create a support network for women and girls and is working to deliver education sessions in rural areas. Isabella restructured and streamlined the EndoSister program, a peer-to-peer support service, to support more women. Suffering from both endometriosis and adenomyosis, Isabella has undergone three operations. She was recently nominated for the Telstra Business Women Award and the Emerging Leader Award.

Samantha Harrison, 24 of Coolum Beach advocates for self-confidence. Sam has been running her hair extension salon since she was 17. Inspired by a close friend who felt embarrassed and withdrawn after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Sam established “Hats with Hair” in 2019. Hand-made by Sam herself, Hats with Hair gives an illusion that a person has a head full of hair. The hats have ethically sourced European double drawn hair that look natural. Sam has created many hats and donated them to local hospitals and young girls going through chemotherapy. She uses fundraisers to help cover costs so she can donate to those with Alopecia.

 

First National Real Estate Leadership Award

Jessica Taylor, 26 of Alexandra Hills is passionate about empowering women. Jessica is the President and Director of QENDO, a not-for-profit that supports women and girls affected with endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or infertility. She picked up the 30-year-old charity to connect with the new generation and grew the team from three to 59 volunteers. Jessica has improved operations by rebranding the organisation, securing sustainable income and establishing key relationships with government, workplaces, schools and rural communities. She helped develop a National Action Plan for Endometriosis, a Queensland Government-funded app, and successful school programs. Jessica was the Gold Winner at the Aus Mumpreneur Awards’ Making a Difference Award.

Anja Christoffersen, 21 of Newmarket is a motivational speaker and healthcare advocate. Anja is the first Youth Ambassador for the Continence Foundation of Australia. Despite being born with VACTERL, a congenital yet invisible disability, Anja transformed her struggles into passion by mentoring people with complex health issues of all ages internationally. She encourages people to pursue advocacy and overcome adversity through positivity and self-awareness. Due to declining health, Anja pursued an alternative educational pathway where she achieved DUX, graduating with a 6.63/7 GPA. Anja is the first disabled person to place in Grand Slam pageantry, achieving 2nd at Miss Grand Australia in 2019.

Krystal White, 28 of Ormeau Hills believes that leadership is a way of living. Krystal has been a volunteer with Hair Aid Inc. since 2013, helping disengaged youth and homeless people. She has attended four International Aid Projects to the Philippines as Project Leader, managing a team of international volunteers are they worked in slum communities. As Gold Coast/Tweed Coordinator for Hair Aid Community Cuts, she partners with community organisations and coordinates volunteer hairstylists/barbers to offer haircutting services in eight locations. Krystal helps fundraise for charities and promote awareness. As an educator, she was inspired to create a Community Closet at YMCA for students needing interview clothing.

Michael Adams, 27 of Aspley is an extremely passionate coach. Michael is a full-time Strength and Rehab Coach for kids and adults with special needs. He started by volunteering to help a Special School’s Grade 12 students who needed assistance in losing weight and gaining confidence. He has since helped clients with special needs to move better and live healthier lives. Michael paved the way for the Special Olympic Powerlifting take off in Australia, initiated the Flying Kiwi Cup, and was appointed as Coordinator of Powerlifting by Special Olympics Australia. He established Strong Hearts Foundation to give financial aid to families of kids with special needs.

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award

Amily Phineasa, 18 of Kirwan is devoted to serving her community. As elected Indigenous School Captain in 2015 and 2018 at Kirwan State High School, Amily helped organise NAIDOC week activities and represented her school in the Cut for a Cure fundraiser. She participated in the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament program and received an Indigenous scholarship. Amily completed her Certificate II in Business through a two-year Indigenous School Based Traineeship and helped improve the financial wellbeing of community members. Amily aspires to become a cardiovascular surgeon and open a GP clinic to give back. She has been accepted to study Medicine at James Cook University.

Cheyanne Conroy, 25 of Coomera hopes to make an impact. Cheyanne is a proud Wurundjeri woman, primary school teacher and Indigenous leader. She introduced a school-wide program allowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Coomera Rivers State School to identify with and connect with their culture. As leader of the Indigenous Champions Team, she coordinates with AIME to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with a focus on learning the Yugambeh language. Cheyanne was the first Aboriginal to receive the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship at Griffith University where she completed Bachelor of Primary Education and Bachelor in Child and Family Studies, both with Distinction.

Juliet Biemann, 17 of Redcliffe is enthusiastic about engaging her community. Juliet has been volunteering at The Breakfast Club, a local charity organisation that serves breakfast to the homeless. She has also initiated ‘Keep Redcliffe Warm’, a clothing drive for homeless. As student leader at Grace Lutheran College, she initiated and led the March against Modern Slavery and reforms to the school’s Relationships and Sexuality Education program. She regularly presents Acknowledgement of Country at assemblies and chapels and has volunteered at NAIDOC week celebrations. She was also the Aboriginal representative at the ‘Childsafe’ fundraising dinner. Juliet has been accepted to study Law at University of Queensland.

Miiesha Young, 19 of Woorabinda is inspiring her community through music. Miiesha is a singer-songwriter who travelled back to her community to record her music videos for Drowning and Black Privilege. Her community performance brought together the whole of Woorabinda for a barbeque celebration. She takes any chance to speak positively of her community in interviews and educate people on what it means to be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman. Miiesha has helped another Woorabinda woman pursue music by making her backup vocalist. She also helped one Elder have his music recorded with top musicians. In 2019, Miiesha signed her first record deal with EMI.

 

University of Queensland Create Change Award

Charlie Johnstone, 15 of Bahrs Scrub is passionate about helping others. Charlie founded CEJ and initiated ‘Kid to Kid’, which focusses on building the entrepreneurial capabilities of young people. Other initiatives include an eco-friendly granular furnace dual processor which repurposes PET bottles into 3D Printer Spools. Charlie won the national Origin’s ‘LittleBIGideas’ competition and as the prize, he flew to NASA to have lunch with an astronaut. He was shortlisted for the Premier’s Climate Change Ambassador Position and will meet and pitch to Al Gore. A Gold Medal winner in the International World Scholars Cup, Charlie received the 2019 Young Citizen of the Year Award for Logan.

Cory Towner, 28 of Blacks Beach is committed to sustainable change. Cory is head of development at Seth Industries, a company dedicated to developing a plastics recycling facility to recycle “end of life” products into renewable energy like Biodiesel. The project aims to address environmental and operational issues and will create up to 10 full-time jobs in the region. Recycling the products is at no cost to local growers and will save up to $5M in operational expenses. Cory has received support from growers, government representatives and commercial companies. Seth Industries is looking to engage James Cook University and Central Queensland University to carry out research and development.

Matt Boyce, 27 of Greenslopes hopes to address mental health challenges through human connection. Recognising the role of food in giving a sense of community and connection, Matt established “The Connection Project” which has four pillars. ‘Your Prep’ is a cooked meal kit delivery business designed to get families together. ‘How Good’s Living’ organises events that bring communities together. ‘Life’s Warriors’ is a charity program teaching kid’s resilience. Lastly, the “The Connection Project” App aims to bring connections online and has impacted over 200,000 lives. A carpenter by profession, Matt has been accepted into the ‘Seeds of Change’ accelerator program by Mars Food Australia.

Sabrina Chakori, 27 of Highgate Hill advocates for a sustainable economy. Sabrina started the social enterprise Brisbane Tool Library (BTL) which operates from the State Library and enables people to borrow a range of hand and power tools, camping gear, sports equipment and other items rescued from landfill and the community. The practical circular economy model expands and maximises the use of goods that would have otherwise been underutilised. Sabrina is a Board Member of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council. A graduate of MSc in Environmental Economics, Sabrina is undertaking a PhD research at the University of Queensland looking at solutions to transition to zero-packaging food systems.

 

iFly Online Achievement Award

Dr Alayna Cole, 26 of Maroochydore advocates for a safer online space. Alayna is a game developer who is the founder and managing director of Queerly Represent Me, a charity dedicated to research around representation of queer people and other marginalised communities in the videogame industry. They have a comprehensive online database of games featuring queer representation and provide online resources free for developers and interested parties and paid consultation services. “Queerly Represent Me” aims to provide safer online spaces and promote diversity. Alayna contributes to several online game publications, holds a doctorate in Creative Writing and teaches at University of the Sunshine Coast.

Jessica Taylor, 26 of Alexandra Hills is passionate about supporting, empowering and making a difference in the lives of women. She has engaged with communities and businesses to seek out gaps and create new innovative ways to meet the needs for those suffering with chronic illnesses. Jessica has designed and developed websites for local and community businesses in Queensland. Jessica envisions Australia as a connected nation where access to information and innovative applications and websites help and support people. Jessica is President and Director of QENDO and is responsible for developing a mobile app for people with chronic conditions such as endometriosis.

Ariel Beninca, 24 of Windsor hopes to drive the future of digital experience. Ariel is a senior software designer and front end developer who is currently self-employed, working with clients in improving their digital experiences. She has worked with many businesses and has designed solutions to diverse problems in the online space. She successfully re-designed the Citibeach website experience, which led to a 70% increase in sales. Despite struggling as a woman in the industry and coming from a disadvantaged and poor background, Ariel is motivated to become better. She teaches front end web development at Queensland University of Technology and enjoys inspiring the next generation.

Tasmin Trezise, 27 of Brisbane co-founded the SaaS startup ‘Tanda’ in 2012 whilst studying at the Queensland University of Technology. Along with three colleagues, they were tasked with handling QUT’s commercial outlets that employed more than 100 staff. Tanda helped solve scheduling issues such as inaccurate employee attendance and tampered shifts. With a starting capital of just $4, they released the software to a broader audience and recorded over 1 million employee check-ins in its third month. Tanda is now a fully-integrated system with HR software, offering total workforce success, giving businesses labour insights on wages, rostering, and attendance. They have four offices worldwide.

 

Awards Australia Small Business Achiever Award

Matt Boyce, 27 of Greenslopes believes in the power of human connection. After overcoming depression, Matt established The Connection Project to address mental health challenges and social disconnection across Australia. The Project has different components, such as ‘YourPrep’, a meal preparation delivery service designed to get families cooking together. Matt started a clothing line called ‘How Good’s Living’ to generate income for The Connection Project. He also developed ‘Life Warriors’, an educational charity program that teaches kids about resilience. Matt also organises community events like Walk and Talk, a meet-ups directed at men. The Connection Project has far impacted 200,000 lives in just two years.

Trent Faunt, 25 of Kingaroy has a passion for real estate. Trent overcame being broke and established a real estate company when he was 21. His team has grown from one to four members and has rebranded to Faunt & Emmett Real Estate. They purchased a local agencies’ rent roll in 2018 and another local agency in 2019. They have since sold over 70 properties in Kingaroy and have opened a second office in the South Burnett region. In 2016, Trent published a real estate book, “The Real Deal by Trent Faunt”. In 2017, their company helped fund and build a primary school in Kenya.

Mike Kellett, 28 of Burleigh Heads is promoting health and fitness. In 2017, Mike launched Macro Mike, a unique protein and health food brand that offers food using 100% natural ingredients. A personal trainer, Mike decided to travel the world at 22 and spend three years working in commission-based sales roles. While training bodybuilding in Gold Coast, Mike started making healthy brownies, waffles and more. Other athletes became interested and Macro Mike was born. They are now in hundreds of stores across Australia and hire only local employees. Mike won the 2019 Young Small Business Champion Entrepreneur award. In October 2019, they had over $450,000 in sales.

Trent Miles, 29 of Yeppoon is committed to continuous improvement. Trent co-founded All Industries Group with a mission to add value to the supply chain network. Their core business is the design and manufacture of Rollover Protection Systems for trucks, cars and mobile plant equipment plus Falling Object Protective Systems shipped locally and internationally. Trent is responsible for shaping company culture and establishing a set core of management values. All Industries Group has secured ISO 9001 compliance and successfully received a Research and Development grant and six education grants to support apprenticeships. They won the 2019 Capricorn Coast Business Award, Industry Engineering Mechanical Award category.

 

Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award

Kathryn Lyons, 27 of Loganholme is passionate about inclusiveness. Born with microcephaly and diagnosed with progressive degenerative disorder, Kathryn was inspired to establish Accessibili-t, with a mission of inclusive awareness and advocacy. She delivers motivational talks and workshops, sharing her belief that everyone has abilities and strengths and sanitary needs that should be recognised. Kathryn has approached the Government and corporate groups to enable real inclusion and access. She spoke with senators and MPs on limited access to toilet and sanitary bins for homeless women. Kathryn showcased her solution designs at QUT Foundry and was keynote speaker at the 2019 World Toilet Summit on Human Rights.

Katura Halleday, 15 of Tallai advocates for education of young women. Katura started 8X8 to Educate, a social enterprise donating profits to education in Mozambique through three income streams: a novel she illustrated - Rina’s Story, Art Competitions, and sponsorships. In 2018 Katura featured in the documentary ‘Katura’s Story’ which achieved international awards at the LAMPA Film Festival in Russia. Katura was then invited to speak at the 2018 Perm International Volunteers Forum and was interviewed by the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. She represented Australia in the International Charter for Compassion – Golden Rule Day.

Madison Birtchnell, 19 of Willow Vale is determined to be a catalyst for change. Madison represented Australia in the Class of Women Deliver Young Leaders Program where she helped shape programs and policies that affect the lives of young girls and women. She undertakes consultation to effectively implement Sustainable Development Goals. Madison volunteers with the National Council of Women of Queensland as social media manager. She presents empowering workshops to marginalised young people in Multicultural Communities Gold Coast and has devised a free International Women’s Week Conference with a Queensland Government grant. A business student at QUT, Madison has raised over $20,000 to deliver initiatives.

Yasmin Ildes, 24 of Greenslopes is redefining beauty through empowerment. In 2014 while studying Law at the Queensland University of Technology, Yasmin established Glamourzonians, a not-for-profit that conducts empowerment workshops in girls’ schools about the impact of social media on confidence and self-worth. The aim of the workshops is to redefine the meaning of glamourous and create a space for discussion on topics like negative body image, inner beauty and contributing to bigger world issues. All funds raised are donated to addressing girls’ access to education. Yasmin was admitted to the Bar in 2019 and is a 2020 Miss Universe Australia Queensland State finalist.

 

LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award

Bre Redsell, 24 of Warner is committed to making a positive impact. Bre volunteers with A Brave Life, a not-for-profit organisation that helps alleviate poverty, misfortune and helplessness experienced by teenage and young mothers. She provides mentoring and tutoring to teenage mums who are completing their high school education so they develop healthy choices and live a positive lifestyle. She delivers Baby Bundles to maternity hospitals, young parent programs and community centres. Bre was inspired by her mother who was a teenage mother herself. She has a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences and Diploma in Health Science, works part-time as registered counsellor and runs a tutoring business.

Jez Harris, 18 of Cootharaba has a passion for community service. Jez has been a PCYC Emergency Services Cadet for five years and has volunteered for events such as Clean Up Australia Day, Noosa Triathlon and King of the Mountain in Pomona. Jez has joined the Rural Fire Service and has attended twelve fire activations and several land searches. He has completed two levels of leadership training with the Police Citizens Youth Club’s State Youth Leadership Program. Jez works two jobs to fund his schooling to become a pilot. He has completed his Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation and has gained State Emergency Services qualifications.

Jye Parkinson, 16 of Yaroomba is an advocate of sustainability. Jye is a brand ambassador for Patagonia Australia. In 2015, he travelled to Papua New Guinea to work on a sustainability program and deliver it to children in PNG and then to his classmates. He promotes Plastic-Free Wednesday to raise positive awareness about single-use plastics. In 2017, he attended the International Sea Turtle Symposium and was awarded the honourary title of “International Sea Turtle Champion” by SEA LIFE Mooloolaba. He received the 2018 Coolum Beach Lions Youth of the Year Award on Australia Day and the 2019 Environmental and Sustainability Award from Coolum State High School.

Tani Bloudell, 23 of Merrimac gives utmost importance to education. Tani has been volunteering since she was 12, starting with Riding for the Disabled at Tallebudgera and Homeless Connect. In 2014, she raised over $1M for Tupou High School in Tonga, a school with 800 students and no desks or chairs. She also initiated a school exchange program and Clean Up Tonga campaign. Tani founded E.D.G.E. (Everyone Deserves Global Education), a foundation that establishes a network of educational resources for the less fortunate. A YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Member for Mudgeeraba, she won Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year in the 2015 Australia Day Awards.

  

2019 Finalists

LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award
Michael Morgan, 25 of Sippy Downs has been a dedicated volunteer since he was a teen. Despite having a rare and debilitating auto immune disease that makes it physically challenging for him, Michael remains committed as an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He is a passionate motivational speaker, fundraiser and performer who believes in the impact that a wish can have on the life of a child. He travels nationally to perform in remote hospitals to spread his message of hope and love to children with chronic illness. He also helps raise funds for the charity’s wish-granting program by donating artworks he personally makes.

 

Alexandra Wells, 19 of Ormeau established the Gold Coast Inclusive Sports Program for children with disabilities and additional needs when she was just 15 years old. Despite her young age, she met with leaders and spread the word about the club. She was involved in creating the program, promoting and running it, and training the volunteers. What started with 30 athletes and 30 volunteers, now has 90 athletes and 100 volunteers. The program focuses on coaching fine motor skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership whilst having fun in a safe and inclusive environment. Alexandra currently juggles her university studies with her commitment to the club.

 

Jessica Taylor, 25 of Alexandra Hills is passionate about improving women’s health. She is the president of Endometriosis Association (QENDO), a not-for-profit organisation that provides education and support to women affected by endometriosis. Jessica continued the 30-year-old support line, renewing and rebranding it to connect with a younger generation. She grew the team of volunteers from 3 to 59, secured sustainable income, launched an online store and increased social media reach. Jessica is delivering a schools pilot program this year and collaborated with local celebrities to create awareness. She dedicates at least 4 hours each day in volunteer work for QENDO while working full time.

 

Aiden Meldrum, 22 of North Isis dedicates his life to inspiring people with disabilities, like himself. Aiden has a brain tumour, which impacts the use of one of his hands. He is also walking-impaired and clinically blind. Despite these challenges, he actively volunteers 5 days a week in a soup kitchen, serving for and engaging with homeless people. He also helps bring sports to the disadvantaged in the community and contributed directly to the success of Reclink Street Games in Bundaberg. Aiden has a YouTube channel where he teaches kids how to play games with one hand. His incredible will, empowers the disabled community.

 

Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award
Samara Welbourne, 18 of Minyama overcame her poor reading and writing skills to become one of Australia’s youngest social entrepreneurs. At 13, her children’s book “How to Build Fairy Houses” was first published. A year later, she established a small business called Enchanted Fairy Houses, the earnings of which were used to build a library in a remote village in Bali. The library currently provides services to 20 villages and is changing the lives of many girls and women. Recognising the importance of English skills to gain employment in Bali, Samara also taught English to young girls during her stay in the island.

 

Emily Smith, 18 of Millbank is passionate about the education and empowerment of marginalised social groups on sustainable development. She represented QLD and CQUniversity in Vietnam before the United Nations where she and her teammates developed several prototypes of a prospective drain and rubbish system. This environmentally sustainable project is concerned with responsible production and consumption, life on land and life below water. Emily is an academic achiever and was elected as student representative of the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce. She was also actively involved in discussions surrounding the #loveBundy campaign which reaffirms the message that the community needs to support local businesses.

 

Madina Mohmood, 22 of Redland Bay is dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of cultural diversity and empowering young women. She helped establish the Afghan Student Association and the Muslimah Student Society at the University of Queensland. Madina was directly involved in creating the Queensland Afghan Community Association youth committee. As a result, many young Afghans and Muslim women gained confidence to contribute in public discussions. In 2017, Madina was chosen as university delegate to visit New York for the National Model United Nations. She secured a state leadership position as part of the QLD Vision Generation and was a keynote speaker at the International Women’s Day Breakfast.

 

Angel Dixon, 28 of Miami is a passionate activist for disability inclusion and human rights and is dedicated to challenging society’s perception of disability. She is the first agency signed model with a physical impairment to be featured in a national television campaign. Angel is the advocacy manager for Starting with Julius and the CEO of Attitude Foundation. Both organisations seek to accelerate the inclusion of people with disability through media and education. She is a member of the steering committee for NOW Australia, which deals with workplace sexual harassment issues. Angel is also a public speaker, a blogger and designs fashionable walking canes.

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award
Emily Wells, 28 of Yandina Creek is a proud Kamilaroi woman. She is a fervent performer and producer, helping to design and facilitate programs which explore and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Her work with Digi Youth Arts allows her to empower young aboriginal people to connect with their culture and explore their identity. At Queensland University of Technology, she represented the Oodgeroo Unit at the 2018 Indigenous Peoples Conference in Canada and delivered a presentation showcasing the importance of indigenous role models in higher education. She was assistant producer of the Indigenous Engagement and Programming initiative, which was a Queensland Reconciliation Awards Finalist.

 

Zane Ratcliff, 18 of Everton Park is a mentor for young Indigenous students. He volunteers for not-for-profit organisations to teach traditional dance, help with homework and teach sporting skills and acting on stage. He has participated in swimming and rugby league. Zane was the first Indigenous School Captain at Burnett State College in 54 years. He performed as Indigenous dancer at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and taught traditional dance to students during NAIDOC Day Celebrations. In 2018, he was recognised as Young Citizen of the Year at the Gayndah Australia Day Awards. He will also be dancing at the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation celebration.

 

Mikayla-Haze Adams-Queary, 17 of Dunwich is dedicated to spreading awareness about cultural sensitivities. She is a proud Quandamooka woman from Minjerribah who showcases the rich culture through poetry, productions and plays, and comedy nights. She conducts traditional tours as an Indigenous Educator who takes part in Kunjiel, Jandai and traditional painting. She taught traditional Indigenous dance to local Primary and High Schools. Mikayla-Haze was among the top three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and was chosen as candidate for the National Schools Constitutional Convention. She was also a 2018 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation’s, Young Indigenous Leader awardee.

 

Lisa Rapley, 29 of Upper Mount Gravatt is from Gumbaynggirr country in Northern NSW and is committed to empowering Indigenous communities. She co-founded Yuludaria Karulbo, bringing together Indigenous and Non- Indigenous community members through the development and deliverance of cultural capability workshops for schools and workplaces delivered by local Indigenous youth and communities. They have reached over 1,200 young people and have enabled them to create pathways and connections for reconciliation. Lisa won the 2017 Young Social Pioneers Indigenous Focus Stream and received a $10,000 business grant. Lisa has a certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership and her aim for 2019 is to commence a law degree.

 

iFly Online Achievement Award
Tara Baker, 29 of Currumbin Waters is an inspiring LGBTQ+ advocate and influencer. Her website, Dancing With Her, celebrates LGBTQ+ women in love and has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram. This helps her engage with people who are often underrepresented. With little online experience, Tara learned to build and adapt a website, run social media and social media campaigns and work with influencers. She recently worked with Facebook on their Annual Gift Guide where Dancing With Her made an appearance, along with 29 other Australian businesses. Tara was awarded the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 award for her achievements in marketing and advertising online.

 

Nathaniel Anthony, 28 of Coorparoo is an online entrepreneur and fitness advocate. He founded three online businesses, all of which have earned more than a million dollars in revenue. Muscle Box is a subscription box service for fitness enthusiasts. FitAdvertising provides advertising services to large companies and has over 10 million followers. Muscle Nation Gym Apparel is an active wear company that ships worldwide and was a finalist at the Optus My Business awards. Nathaniel has been featured on Forbes and on the Shopify blog for his outstanding marketing. He has recently been invited to be a speaker at a Gold Coast Shopify event.

 

Dr Alayna Cole, 25 of Maroochydore is a champion for queer representation in the online games industry. She founded and is currently Managing Director of Queerly Represent Me. The charity is dedicated to research around representation of queer people and other marginalised communities in the videogame industry. Alayna is a game developer whose games make social comment about women, the queer community, mental health and self-care. She has a doctorate in Creative Arts (Creative Writing) and teaches budding game designers at the University of Sunshine Coast. Alayna was featured in the 2016 and 2017 MCV Pacific 30 under 30 and the 2017 Women in Games list.

 

Michelle Barnes, 24 of Carrara is dedicated to inspiring the youth to live a fulfilling and successful life through video blogging. Her YouTube channel has a community of more than 150,000 young women and is dedicated to helping people figure out how to live an intentional life. She also founded Channel Notes, a video blog that helps aspiring video content creators to create content that provides value to the world. Her videos have been viewed over 8 million times. She works fulltime for the City of Gold Coast, creating innovative and interactive online learning solutions for over 3,000 employees within the organisation.

 

BB Print Regional Achiever Award
Nicholas Thompson, 11 of Gracemere is committed to promoting sustainable fishing. He began by facilitating games to teach children to admire and learn to respect fish. His initiative, NickFish Vacation Care Experience, brought the joy of fishing to kids in Rockhampton who weren’t able to go fishing. Nick is the youngest recipient of the Viv McCristal Sports Fishing Journalism Scholarship and was commissioned to write Fishing the Fitzroy for Kids. After his interview with ABC Radio Capricornia, he was given a segment called Nick’s Fishing Adventures where he promotes the Central Queensland waterways. He also volunteered at the first Fishing for Therapy Program for the disabled.

 

Ethan Laval & Flynn Bushell, 14 of Slade Point advocate for community connection through facility improvement. They founded ProjectSk8Park in 2016 to help enhance the existing facilities in their suburb. They proactively petitioned and raised $4 million dollars to be used for constructing a multi-functional recreational park with two separate youth facilities. They also re-introduced regular learn-to-skateboard classes and workshops to develop skater’s skills. The ProjectSk8Park project helped introduce qualifying competitions for existing local skate board riders to participate in qualifications towards the 2018 State championships. Ethan and Flynn have provided a safe environment for participation, reconnection and networking between organisations and youth.

 

Imaan Ashraf, 17 of Mackay is a powerful speaker and ambassador of Islam. Imaan wants to create awareness that wearing a hijab should not hold her back from contributing to her community. She organised "Let's Talk About," a forum attended by prominent Muslim speakers which raised $2,800. Imaan was the emcee at the Mackay Mosque Open Day. She organised the medical chapter of the Mackay Homeless Expo where GPs provided free healthcare. Imaan was nominated for Outstanding Young Achiever at Queensland Government Multicultural Awards. She received the Australian Defence Force Youth Leadership Award, Rats of Tobruk Roll of Honour Award and CQU Change Maker Award.

 

Robert McLellan, 21 of Bundaberg East utilises performing arts to share Indigenous Arts and culture. He has produced shows that engage audiences in the Bundaberg region and gave local performers and students an opportunity to develop their skills. He is a proud Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang man who has taken an active and lead role in reclaiming the Taribelang Language, the First Nation's language which was once made illegal. Robert also initiated the Yuwarr Dance Project, establishing the Yuwarr Dancers. He created their own Welcome song and dance for the Traditional Custodians to perform, and an Acknowledgment song and dance for everyone in the community.

 

First National Real Estate Leadership Award
Evie Marshall, 13 of Palmwoods successfully campaigned for Australians with cystic fibrosis, to have access to a life-extending medication called Orkambi. Costing $250,000 per patient per year, the medication was rejected by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Evie became a key driver in gathering national support while managing her own CF. She talked to politicians and wrote letters to the Minister of Health and the manufacturers of Orkambi. After three years of campaigning, the medication was finally recommended and is now sold at $39 per patient per month. As a result, over 1,300 Australians with CF can now live up to 20 years longer.

 

Madison Birtchnell, 18 of Willow Vale advocates for equality, social justice, women empowerment and youth engagement. A volunteer since the age of 6, Madison devised an International Women's Week Conference with help from a Queensland State Government Grant. As guest speaker at the International Women's Day Early Riser's Breakfast, she used the platform to discuss the #pressforchange movement. She was awarded the 2018 Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year, shortlisted as 2019 Queensland Young Australian of the Year and was a finalist in the Australian Human Rights Awards. Madison will represent Australia in this year’s Class of Women Deliver Young Leaders Global Program in Canada.

 

Candice Jones, 25 of Toowong is passionate about developing leaders. Despite being born vision-impaired and battling anxiety, she has shown great leadership. She led groups at Pacific Lutheran College, was a GirlGuides patrol leader and a youth leader at CityEdge Church. As residential assistant at Cromwell College, she mentored young women transitioning into adulthood. Partnering with RedFrogs and UniImpact she promoted inclusive alcohol-free events. She has developed leaders in Cambodia and Thailand. She continues to mentor women at Christ Community Church. As a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland she engages future scientists through tutoring and Wonder of Science.

 

Kaitlin Barwick, 17 of Robina inspires others to 'be the best they can be.' She is the founder and president of Squad Eleven, a youth community group created to allow local youth to express their ideas as a way to help them grow and succeed. She regularly attends community meetings held by the local council. Kaitlin is a member of the Police Citizens Youth Club, Youth Leadership Team and represented them at the State Youth Leadership Summit. She also represented Australia in the ITU World Triathlon Championships and coaches and inspires young athletes. Kaitlin has received both the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award
Nina Sackprasith, 27 of Ipswich founded Vivre Co., a social enterprise that aims to empower and educate young girls from impoverished communities. Vivre Co. is an eyelash beauty business where every service provided, helps fund her campaign. Nina is currently sponsoring 37 African girls and has provided an equivalent of over 2442 days’ worth of education. Nina partnered with Malawi's Bikema Academic Centre to resolve systematic issues around education, poverty and gender inequality. Nina advocated for multicultural youth and refugees and was selected as a youth representative for Queensland. She also began a charity project in Cambodia to help young orphans with disabilities.

 

Mathew Townsend, 27 of South Brisbane is providing opportunities for persons with disabilities. He founded Nature Freedom, a not-for-profit social enterprise that promotes inclusive and accessible employment and social opportunities with environmental and outdoor adventure organisations. With support from Landcare and local communities, he has provided paid employment for young people with disabilities. He participated in Foundation for Young Australians' Young Social Pioneers program and secured a $10,000 tax free grant for Nature Freedom. Mathew also won the Healthy Land & Water's 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award for his work in partnering with young people with disabilities at the Clean Up Australia Day event.

 

Tamara Richardson, 25 of Rockhampton is passionate about cultural education. She is the founder and director of Promoting Access to Cultural Education 48. PACE 48 is a global education organisation delivering cultural education to young people and their communities across 43 countries in Africa and Asia-Pacific to promote understanding and mutual respect. PACE 48 has partnered with UNESCO, Oxford University Press and several governments. It has offices in Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Pakistan, Cameroon and Australia and has reached over two million youth across the world. Tamara is an appointed associate of UNESCO, representing Australia in multilateral meetings such as G20, Commonwealth and the UN Summit.

 

Navdeep Pasricha, 22 of Carrara is seeking to improve child education in rural and regional Australia. He is the CEO of iYouth Global which offers iYouth on Demand, the Netflix for Teacher’s professional development. The online platform Teachflix, allows teachers even in remote areas to get the best training any time, any day. The content is provided by professional development providers and existing teachers. The organisation has trained almost 20,000 people in 10 countries. Navdeep sits on board Queensland's second largest school, serving in an advisory team for the Department of Education. He also has a Bachelor's degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

 

Awards Australia Small Business Achiever Award

 

Sheridan Vigers, 28 of West End advocates for environmentally friendly makeup products. Her brand, ‘MakeUp Weapons’, offers 100% handcrafted makeup brushes made from synthetic hair and sustainable bamboo. The brand was accepted into PETA's Beauty without Bunnies program, which means the range is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The products also received the approval of Four Paws Australia. In 2018, Sheridan was named Best Independent Business Thinker of the Year and MakeUp Weapons was awarded Best Independent Beauty Brand. As a beauty expert, she attends Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane beauty expos as guest speaker. BuzzFeed also named Sheridan as among "The Coolest Make-Up Artists to Follow" on Instagram.

 

Daniel Proctor, 24 of Sippy Downs is a young and innovative entrepreneur. He studied aircraft engineering but was inspired to do something else after realising airlines weren't hiring. He founded three businesses, including Student Wow Deals, which connects students to more than 300 businesses that advertise and offer cheap deals. Deals include food, gym, entertainment venues, and travel tours. With 70,000 members, it's Queensland's biggest student discount platform and is soon to be launched nationwide along with a new App. In 2016, Daniel was recognised as the Sunshine Coast’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Student Wow Deals was a finalist in the 2017 Australia's Cool Company Awards.

 

ROCKIT Productions was created by Shaun, George and Danielle in 2011. ROCKIT Productions is a theatre production company and educational institution that offers Youth Musical Theatre training for children from Prep to Grade 12 and beyond. They have produced over 30 musicals, cabarets, concerts and undertake at least seven shows a year! In 2017, their Year 12 students received eleven offers from full-time musical training institutions in both Australia and New York. In 2018, they were included in the list of "100 Faces of Small Business" in Queensland. ROCKIT was also shortlisted for a Redland City Australia Day Award.

 

Joshua Apitz, 16 of Mudgeeraba is a passionate entrepreneur and an eager problem solver. As a surfer, he wanted to find an alternative to popular sunscreens which he found to be dangerously slippery, contain harsh chemicals and impact his surfing ability. This led him to develop Seagull Milk, a sunscreen that has a non-slip formulation, is reef-safe and made in Australia. To market Seagull Milk, he designed his own website, Indiegogo campaign and product tube. To date, he has pre-sold over $10,000 worth of products. Joshua has also been invited to speak at The Youth in Business and to participate at Australian Vegan Day 2019.

 

 

 

2018 Finalists

The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award

Chris Tamwoy, 21 of Daisy Hill is a self-taught guitar player, famous for his guitar-tap style. He made it into the top five for Australia’s Got Talent in 2016. He has toured internationally, supported artists such as Dan Sultan, and performed at many festivals. Releasing his first EP in 2015, he has since performed at the Australian of the Year Awards. Chris gives back to the community by appearing at local schools and community events.

Claudia Moodoonuthi, 22 of Lota is a painter renowned for her bold imagery and vibrant colours. She won the Gold Coast Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island Art Award at the age of 17. Claudia held her first solo exhibition at Wooloongabba Art Gallery and has since sold out another at Alcaston Gallery in Melbourne. She held an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria last year, featuring at the Ian Potter Centre.

Madeline Stuart, 21 of Mount Crosby is the world’s most famous super model with Down Syndrome. She went viral after posting before and after photos, from her efforts to lose twenty kilograms and break into the fashion industry. With seven million views, the photo and Madeline hit international headlines. She has featured in Vogue, Woman’s Day and the New York Times among many others. She has appeared at Fashion weeks in New York, Paris, China and Birmingham.

Talia Fidra, 16 of Middle Park began the Dance Ballet Syllabus at the age of five, completing every level at distinction level since. She performed Swan Lake with the Queensland Ballet in 2017. She won silver at the Genée International Ballet Competition the year before. Talia has played Dorothy in the Brisbane City Youth Ballet’s production of Wizard of Oz. She recently appeared as a guest artist at the Queensland POPS New Year’s Eve Gala concert.

 

The University of Queensland Create Change Award

Alastair Blenkin, 26 of Wilston quit his job as a lawyer to begin his start-up technology company HyraIQ'. HyraIQ' uses software that automates high-volume, high-value contract negotiation for institutional landlords and their lawyers, using artificial intelligence algorithms. The contracting process is accelerated, improving outcomes, reducing costs whilst mitigating risk. Alastair has won many innovation and start-up awards. HyraIQ' is finalising discussions with several major Australian law firms and institutional landlords for its 2018 platform launch.

Charles Rolls, 26 of Mooloolaba created a mental health program for high schools called Y2K. Over 30,000 students are informed about the dangers of illegal substances and encouraged to make healthy choices. They learn how the brain works, then examine 3D brain scans of drug users, to learn about the neurological damage that drugs have on the brain. Charles is an ambassador for Oxfam Australia and was accepted into the Young Social Pioneers program.

Kathryn Lyons, 25 of Loganholme is an award-winning innovator, mentor and advocate for everyone’s Right to Toilet with Dignity. Through her experiences of poor access design of disabled toilets, Kathryn created Accessibili-t. Accessibili-t works with governments and corporations to achieve real access, sanitation and hygiene for the disabled, complex medical conditions and frail aged when toileting. Kathryn delivers motivational talks and workshops and challenged leaders to act when speaking at the World Toilet Summit 2017.

Tasman Bain, 24 of Toowong co-founded ‘Meri Toksave’ a charity for gender-justice and human rights in the Pacific region. Tasman created and distributed over 5,000 directory of services, for survivors of domestic violence in Papua New Guinea. He is the Chair of the Australian Red Cross Queensland Youth Advisory Committee. Tasman mentors school students in debating, is a Fellow of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.

 

BB Print Regional Achiever Award

Jye Leet, 19 of Kepnock has won Gold Cultural awards five years in a row. He has led an Acknowledge to Country dance. Jye advocates against domestic violence and has spoken about the importance of women’s health and safety. He received an award for his indigenous design for the school’s rugby jersey. Jye has visited many schools teaching about indigenous history and culture. He was his school’s indigenous leader three years in a row.

Prudence Melom, 22 of Kearneys Spring fights racism through storytelling with her co-founded project, E-raced. She draws from her time escaping war with her family. E-raced teaches young people the importance of cultural acceptance in Australia. Triple J recognised her in their 2015, 25 under 25 list. She has recruited many refugees and migrants to provide rural school workshops. In 2015 these workshops won a national Human Rights award. Prudence manages the project whilst studying law.

Keely Johnson, 19 of Ayr raised $700,000 for childhood cancer through her charity, The Golden Octopus Foundation. Keely has been a voice for childhood cancer whilst undergoing her own journey. A young girl recently asked to meet Keely through Make a Wish. Keely paid for the flight to Perth to sing for Kyra without her using her Wish. Keely was invited to join the Australian Adolescent Health Organisation’s board after presenting at their 2017 Conference.

Maxine Ottowa, 24 of Rural View founded the design studio, ‘Spaces for Maxine’ during her Bachelor of Design and Certificate III in community service studies. Maxine also works part time as a personal carer for spinal injury patients. She relaunched her design business upon moving from Sydney to Mackay. Maxine was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia as a child, and works ten hours a month for the ADHD support group she founded in Mackay.

 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award

Claudia Moodoonuthi, 22 of Lota is a painter renowned for her bold imagery and vibrant colours and she honours her heritage and culture through her art. Claudia received a scholarship to attend Clayfield College and has now completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art. Claudia has won many art prizes and held several exhibitions. She was commissioned to have her painting projected onto the William Jolly Bridge, as part of the 2017 Brisbane Festival.

James Mundy Moreland, 27 of Rockhampton established the ‘Deadly Families Festival’, challenging stereotypes by sharing culture, traditional food, entertainment and indigenous workshops. He organised the ‘Dharumbal Dash’, providing students with an appreciation of culture, healthy eating and education. He secured $24,000 to mentor 29 children of the State throughout a ten-week program. James receives annual funding from the government to deliver Cultural Connection Programs. He coordinated the Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival, attracting 4000 attendees.

Sharee Yamashita, 26 of Nanum was 2017’s National NAIDOC Apprentice of the Year. After completing a four-year Electrical Apprenticeship, Rio Tinto Weipa offered Sharee full-time work. In her final year, she received the Electrical Apprentice of the Year Encouragement Award. She volunteers at a local school, talking to students about her journey to inspire young people about their studies and careers. She raises money for the Cancer Council through community events such as the Relay for Life.

Joshua Loyd, 27 of New Farm is a GradConnection Top 100 Future Leader. Last year he won a Queensland University of Technology Student Leader of the Year award. He has supported students as a Peer Career Ambassador for those at risk of disengaging from their studies. Joshua tutors undergraduate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and is an Indigenous Student Ambassador. He is an Advisory Board Member for Employability and e-Learning and a CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship alumnus.

 

iFly Online Achievement Award

Michael Kelly, 23 of Palm beach started his first company at 18. He has since filmed 350 videos for many high profile clients. He has employed ten contractors and is currently building a team as Head of Cinematography for a new videography company. Michael won a Gold Award at the 2017 Australian Video Producer Awards. His YouTube videos have twelve million views and he has collaborated with YouTube personalities, celebrities and over twenty brands.

Samantha Davies, 26 of Southport ‘Unforgettable Proposals’ where packages are tailored to suit individual requests, to provide the type of marriage proposal they dream of! To date, over 500 successful marriage proposals have been created. Using her skills as a marketing consultant, Samantha uses her online space to build a unique brand in a niche market. Samantha wishes to augment her service by providing customers with a virtual reality example of how their experiences will look.

Michelle Barnes, 23 of Carrara founded a YouTube channel that focuses on living intentionally. With almost 200,000 subscribers, her videos have been viewed over 8 million times. Michelle has created a thirty-day challenge for her community and a self-development book club of 3,000 members. She also maintains another channel with 45,000 subscribers. Michelle works full time for the City of Gold Coast where she creates interactive learning solutions for the over 3,000 employees.

Thomas Newby, 24 of Greenslopes is the co-founder of DingoPM, an issue tracking application. DingoPM solved a problem that Thomas had noticed, that clients and project managers lacked the ability to track issues. He taught himself programming at the age of 12 and began his career as a web developer at a digital agency. He works as a Technical Product Manager for the start-up, RedEye. He has launched other projects such as PiggyBike and RedEyeWFM.

 

LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award

Emily Ireland, 17 of Robina hiked the Kokoda Track with double the recommended pack weight, to take gifts to locals. She encouraged team mates to bring an additional 300kg of gifts in total. She received a Gold Community Service Award for 1,000 hours of community service in a year. Emily travelled overseas for the Premier’s ANZAC Prize program and for her self-funded volunteer trips. She received the Gold Coast Women in Business Rising Star Award.

Jasraaj Singh, 19 of Diddillibah volunteered in Kenya. He worked in orphanages and taught communities methods to mitigate commonly fatal but easily preventable disease. She regularly volunteers with Rotary, Wishlist and the children’s ward of Nambour Hospital. In 2014 Jasraaj was elected as the Queensland Youth Parliament Member for Nicklin. She made the most of this by consulting local youths and her local parliament member. She is also a UN Youth Ambassador.

Mykeala Campanini, 21 of Indooroopilly founded the animal rescue charity ‘Happy Tails’ to re-house pets that would otherwise be impounded and euthanised. Mykeala manages 170 volunteers and has saved 200 animals in her first six months of operation. She volunteers several hours each day managing and fundraising to save animals from rural pounds. Mykeala has secured government funding to deliver Queensland's first purpose-built facility to provide safety for pets when families flee domestic violence.

Madison Birtchnell, 17 of Willow Vale has been volunteering for eleven years. She raised $1,000 for Ovarian Cancer Australia by organising an International Women’s Week Conference for 150 people. She sourced thousands of dollars to organise a youth mental health day for 500 students at her school. Each student received a show bag worth $50, and the event raised $1,200 for Headspace and Beyond Blue. She volunteers at Ormiston House and supports many social justice initiatives.

 

WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Award

Nicole Manns - The Empire Post, 28 of Fortitude Valley provides post production services to high profile clients including Ebay and MTV. The Empire now employs twenty staff and at any given time provides three internships. Nicole studied a Bachelor of Film and Screen Media, teaching herself the skills required for business. The Empire donates $100 from every project to various charities, totalling $5,400 so far. They have donated $70,000 worth of production to The Cerebral Palsy League.

Daniel Proctor - Student Wow Deals, 23 of Sippy Downs saves the money of 60,000 students and provides local businesses with direct access to young customers. The Student Wow Card is available to any student and provides weekly offers. Daniel has eight employees and has worked with 300 clients, including Grill’d, and Subway. These clients praise the businesses multi-platform advertising and the business it attracts. Daniel was named the 2016 Sunshine Coast Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Jordan Mcgregor - Bare and Boho, 26 of Riverview operates a modern cloth nappy business. Founded with money from paper-deliveries, the business generated $75,000 revenue in its first seven months. Jordan designed the nappies using organic hemp and bamboo inserts, saving parents thousands of dollars and reducing the environmental impact of disposables. Jordan was named PETA's 2017 Vegan Next Door. Jordan exhibits alongside leading brands at baby and natural health shows. International investors have requested partnerships with Bare and Boho.

Nick and Anita Blanch - NB Inspirations Department Store & Jacaranda Tearooms, 28 of Proston provide their community with a wide-range of products. The business won regional council awards and supports local groups including the Car Rally Club and Lions. Visitors to Proston reduced when its bakery closed, so Nick and Anita opened Jacaranda Team Rooms, increasing traffic and local business. NB Inspirations works with large companies such as Pacific Brands and RipCurl. The business recently gained government funding to employ and train a school-leaver.

 

First National Real Estate Leadership Award

Gabrielle Hunt, 23 of Nudgee Beach has represented Queensland in many sports but captained the Queensland Indoor Hockey Team. Gabrielle was born severely deaf and uses sport to connect with her community. She achieved Second Class Honours in her Bachelor of Medical Engineering. She has spoken at Mater Hospital events and volunteered for years at Meals on Wheels. Gabrielle recently raised $24,000 for a men’s health charity. She tutors across many subjects and coached hockey.

Ruby Sethi, 21 of Biggera Waters founded the Griffith University A Cappella Choir. The once small group of amateur singers has since won the Australian National Championships and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. Ruby captains 20 choir members, manages training, music arrangement and funding. The choir volunteers at many charity events. Her grades place her in the top 5% at Griffith. Ruby represented Australia in Bangkok at the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Competition.

Keely Johnson, 19 of Ayr has raised $700,000 for childhood cancer through her charity, The Golden Octopus Foundation. Undergoing her own journey she wants to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer. The Foundation aims to upgrade Paediatric Oncology facilities and implement childhood cancer nurses in regional areas. Keely has received many awards for her work. She aims to make the country recognise gold like we do pink and gain increased funding.

Tasman Bain, 24 of Toowong co-founded Meri Toksave, a Women’s rights NGO. Tasman created the first directory of services for survivors of domestic violence in Papua New Guinea, distributing 11,000 copies. UN Women, Oxfam and the Australian Government praised the publication. He reached 25,000 people with the “They Say We Say” campaign, raising awareness about domestic violence in PNG. Tasman is Chair of the Queensland Youth Advisory Committee of the Australian Red Cross.

  

2017 Finalists

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award
• James Mundy Moreland, 26 of Rockhampton 
• Chern’ee Sutton, 20 of Calavos 
• Benjamin Morriss, 24 of Strathpine  

iFly Online Achievement Award
• Luke Maguire, 27 of Broadbeach Waters 
• Jennifer Stockwell, 24 of Mermaid Beach 
• Aleksandar Svetski, 29 of Fortitude Valley 
• Kim Allom, 26 of Ashgrove  

The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
• Edda Hamar, 27 of New Farm 
• Kate Glover, 28 of Mount Isa 
• Samantha Mansfield, 25 of Merrimac  

LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award
• Claire Kelly, 18 of Mackay
• Keely Johnson, 18 of Ayr 
• Tani Stubbs, 20 of Mudgeeraba  

Access Community Services – Multicultural Youth Queensland (MyQ) Cultural Diversity Award
• Prudence Melom, 21 of Kearneys Spring 
• Tamara Richardson, 23 of Herston
• James Mundy Moreland, 26 of Rockhampton 
• Tulsa Gautam, 23 of Cairns  

BB Print Leadership Award
• Madison Dyer, 18 of Alton Downs
• Jade Demnar, 26 of Toowong 
• Zoie Carroll, 28 of Sunshine Beach  

The University of Queensland Create Change Award
• Jarred Turner, 21 of Toowong 
• Nicole Gibson, 23 of Surfers Paradise 
• William Smith-Stubbs, 29 of Paddington 

 

2016 Finalists

The University of Queensland Create Change Award
• Nicholas Marchesi & Lucas Patchett, 21 of Herston 
• Sean Roche, 27 of McDowall
• Chris Raine, 29 of Surrey Hills 
• Nicole Gibson, 22 of Miami 

Access Community Services – Multicultural Youth Queensland (MyQ) Cultural Diversity Award
• Exodus Lale, 10 of Stretton 
• Terry-Ann Eason, 16 of Eagleby 
• Jye Leet,17 of Kepnock 

Wade Sawmill Environment & Sustainability Award
• Emma Dale, 21 of Chapel Hill 
• Patrick Brabant, 12 of Elanora 
• Max Burns, 27 of North Ward 

iFly Online Achievement Award
• Nicolas Jenkins, 23 of Indooroopilly
• Matthew Kelly, 28 of Brisbane 
• Sarah Timmerman, 29 of West End 
• Holly Tattersall, 29 of Anstead 

Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award
• Justice King, 17 of Mount Isa 
• Jyi Lawton, 25 of Newtown 
• Chern'ee Sutton, 19 of Calavos 

AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award
• Annabel Pike, 24 of South Brisbane 
• Christopher Jansen, 29 of Camp Hill 
• Chris Raine, 29 of Surrey Hills 
• Travis Farinelli, 18 of Mourilyan 

The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
• Exodus Lale, 10 of Stretton 
• Allycia Staples, 20 of Flaxton 
• Jimmy Patch, 29 of Stafford 
• Connor O'Grady, 15 of Bridgeman Downs 

BB Print Leadership Award
• Emma McIntosh, 27 of The Gap 
• Chris Eigeland, 25 of Birkdale 
• Nicole Gibson, 22 of Miami 
• Rowan Anderson, 25 of Theodore