WESTERN AUSTRALIA

7NEWS Young Achiever Awards WA

2026 Winners 

 

 

Overall Winner - 2026 WA Winner of the Year - Luca Muir Anderson

 

The Hon Hannah Beazley, Minister for Youth & Overall WA Young Achiever of the Year Winner Luca Muir Anderson (represented by his mum, Kathleen Anderson)

 

Department of CommunitiesYoung Women Leader Award

Isabella Chalker of Dalyellup hopes to improve opportunities for women, girls, and regional communities. Isabella is the founder of the Manea Senior College Z Club and former President of the Kingia Z Club. She has led projects supporting vulnerable women and girls’ education, while also coordinating the assembly of 100 birthing kits to support safer childbirth in developing countries. As one of only two Western Australian representatives in the Country to Canberra Leadership Program, Isabella has contributed to discussions on gender equality, education, and healthcare access. She also successfully led the Regional Ambulance Service Bill as WA Youth Minister for Health and Mental Health.

 

Insurance Commission of Western Australia Road Safety Advocate Award

Zoey Portilla of Karawara is an emerging leader in road safety communication. Motivated by her personal experiences with road trauma, Zoey is a graphic designer dedicated to creating engaging campaigns that resonate with young people and encourage safer behaviours. She co-developed the ‘Same Safety’ campaign through the Re Road Safety Behaviour Change Program, helping reach approximately 400,000 people while challenging misconceptions about vehicle safety. She has facilitated youth engagement workshops, contributed to major road safety campaigns, and represented Australia as a youth delegate at the 3rd World Youth Assembly on Road Safety in Morocco. Through her work, Zoey is helping shape more effective road safety messaging.

 

Aroha Services Health & Wellbeing Award

Dr Rachael Wu of of Nollamara is a dentist committed to breaking barriers and improving oral healthcare access for vulnerable communities. As Clinic Coordinator with Tzu Chi International Medical Association, she leads pro bono clinics, providing over $239,000 in dental treatment to vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness and victims of domestic violence. Rachael played a key role in establishing and expanding the Kalgoorlie outreach clinic, helping deliver a culturally safe dental service for Indigenous and remote communities. She promotes oral health education for long-term prevention and also works as an emergency night dentist and committee member of the Australian Dental Association WA. 

 

Garlett Group Create Change Award

Beth Cusack of Bentley is committed to advancing inclusive education. As Program Lead for Curtin University’s Generative AI Bootcamp, Beth has guided the development and delivery of an initiative that has engaged more than 150 autistic students across metropolitan and regional Western Australia. Using her background in Mechatronic Engineering, Beth has designed accessible AI learning programs that build technical capability, confidence, social connection, and career awareness, while creating meaningful opportunities for neurodiverse young people. Through partnerships with educators, industry leaders, and the WA Data Science Innovation Hub, she is expanding the program’s impact into schools. Her work helps shape a more equitable digital future.

 

Masonic Care WA/Freemasons WA Community Service and Volunteering Award

Luca Muir Anderson of Shenton Park is a passionate community serviceman. As Founder and Director of the 44th Australian Battalion Memorial, Luca has raised $45,000, established a charity, coordinated major commemorative events, launched overseas surveying expeditions and led the development of soldiers' biographies. His leadership has revitalised the legacy of the 44th as one of WA’s most significant army battalions. Luca serves in the Australian Army, including experience on deployment, volunteers with Surf Life Saving, Disaster Relief, the State Emergency Service, Riding Disabled and several veterans’ organisations. He has been recognised with the King’s Birthday Award for Outstanding Community Service.

 

The Rinehart Young Leader Award

Antigone Rogers is committed to meaningful leadership. Tiggy works at Hancock Iron Ore, where she has played a significant role the growth of the Roy Hill company 2012. Beginning her career in the graduate engineering program and now managing the Future of Energy workstream, she has led initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce diesel consumption, and support practical energy solutions across large-scale mining operations. Tiggy is also recognised for her inclusive leadership and industry engagement. She founded a Women in Energy network, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional connection. She is also a respected speaker at industry forums, where she promotes evidence-based approaches to energy and operational challenges.

 

 

Awards Australia Outstanding School Student Award

Elevare Education of Subiaco was founded by Year 11 students, Diya Sanjay and Sara Rajwani. The innovative social impact initiative aims to help migrant students navigate academic and social challenges in new educational environments. Through mentoring, mindset coaching, and transition support programs, Diya and Sara have directly assisted hundreds of students, built a growing online community, and reached thousands through digital engagement. Their work has been formally recognised in the Western Australian Parliament and selected as a finalist in the 2025 WA Innovator of the Year Awards. Beyond Elevare Education, they are developing Career IRL, a career-focused podcast introducing students to diverse and unconventional career pathways.

 

 

Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award

Alex Rumens of Narrogin is a passionate agricultural professional and the current Farm Manager at one of the WA Colleges of Agriculture. Beginning as a poultry farm hand, he progressed to overseeing two of Western Australia’s largest egg farms, managing daily production of 450,000 eggs and leading a team of 20 staff. In his early twenties, Alex is a young Farm Manager who is committed to developing future agricultural leaders through practical, industry focused education. He is also working toward more sustainable farming operations across the ag school. A three time Young Achiever finalist, Alex remains active in regional communities through volunteering, coaching, and local initiatives.

 

 

Awards Australia Tertiary Education Achievement Award

Fatima Merchant of Tapping is committed to creating positive social change. Fatima is completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Western Australia as a Winthrop Scholar. She is a High Distinction student and recipient of the Sir Harold Bailey Memorial Prize. Her work spans government, academia, youth advocacy, and international engagement, including authoring policy recommendations for the WA Parliament, serving as a Policy Officer in the WA State Government, and representing UWA at various international competitions. She has held leadership roles with United Nations Youth WA and the WA Debating League.