Young Gamechangers Recognised at Council’s Youth Awards
Published on 17 June 2022
A founder of a school-based green initiative club, a key driver in communicating public health orders to the community during the pandemic, and a youth group involved in robotic and coding STEM learnings, are among the winners of the 2022 Fairfield City Mayor’s Youth Achievement Awards.
Held by Fairfield City Council, the awards recognise young individuals and groups who have excelled in the sports, arts, business, humanitarian, and community activism arenas.
Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said it was refreshing to hear how the City’s young people were inspiring community pride, and strengthening community life in Fairfield City.
“It brings us great pleasure each year to recognise local young people making a difference through their demonstration of leadership, passion, commitment and enthusiasm,” Mayor Carbone said.
“By volunteering and leading significant projects in our community, young people are not only making a positive contribution, they are building essential skills and attributes for life.
"Our young people are tomorrow's leaders and innovators. It’s important we shine the light on their achievements to encourage them and show them that we are behind them.”
The winners for each award category are as follows:
First Nations Youth Award - Jade Hill
Jade supports cultural initiatives and programs that promote cultural awareness, and featured in videos to promote Harmony Day, National Reconciliation Week, and NAIDOC Week.
Community Spirit Award - Kimberley Pham
Kimberley has participated in school-run Mental Health Day, Clean Up Australia Day, and 40 Back Pack Challenge activities, and volunteered as Communications Officer for Bonnyrigg Youth Council.
Creating Change Award - Grace Bowen
Grace founded her school’s Green Initiative Club, helping implement more eco-friendly practices such as recycling, and was instrumental in organising a ‘Jersey Day’ to raise money for the White Island Volcano eruption in 2019.
Sportsmanship Award - Valentina Malagon Avila
Valentina is a part of the talented football program at Bossley Park High School and has represented her school in a number of tournaments and competitions, she also plays for Marconi Club and is a football referee.
Leadership Award (joint winners) Jonathan Ou and Alisa Lam
Jonathan is a school captain involved in various support projects for year 11 students and has participated in Toastmasters International, as well as ABC’s limited series ‘Finding Archibald’.
Alisa is also a school captain that has led multiple fundraising efforts at her school including the 2022 prefects Valentine’s Day Rose Drive, Red Cross, and Stewart House.
Creative Arts Award - Fanar Moonee
Fanar is an actor and writer from Fairfield whose HSC drama monologue ‘Suicidal Therapy’ was nominated for OnStage. Her theatre credits include ‘Haunted’ at Spark Youth Theatre and ‘Happy Death Mr Fairfield’ at PYT Fairfield. She is an active member at PYT Fairfield and has also had a stint as assistant director.
New Beginnings Award (newly arrived youth) - Steven Asman
Steven arrived from Iraq in 2018 and is a school ambassador and elected member of the Student Representative Council. He volunteers his time to assist newly arrived Arabic speaking students.
Entrepreneurial Talent Award - George Alkhoury
George has recently started his own candle making business called ‘Flame of love Candles’. His inspiration was his family and started his business to help support them.
Phoenix Award (personal growth) - Laleiah Lakisoe-Mapuna
Laleiah has experienced many adversities and continues to move forward. Her sister has cancer, her father passed away from an aneurysm and she has also lost her grandmother. She recently represented her dance school in Australia’s Got Talent, making it to the final.
Outstanding Youth Group Award - Bossley Park High School Wolfgang Robotics
Bossley Park High School Robotics Club are involved in a multitude of STEM learnings including robotics and coding amongst other skills.
Calm in Crisis Award (COVID-19) - Belinda Hanna
Belinda played an important role in communicating public health orders and attending to concerns during the pandemic. During this time Belinda was also balancing her responsibilities as a school prefect and undertaking her HSC via remote learning.