Applications open for 2014 National Youth Awards

Young Australians aged 12 to 25 are being encouraged to nominate for the 2014 National Youth Awards.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education Scott Ryan said the annual awards—part of National Youth Week—recognise the achievements of Australia’s young people.

“Our young people will shape the future of this nation and it’s important that we celebrate them now,” Senator Ryan said.

“The National Youth Awards help promote the important contribution young people make to Australia, and will help encourage more young people to chase their dreams and become more involved in the life of their communities.

“These Awards are the Australian Government’s contribution to the annual National Youth Week celebrations and I look forward to receiving some truly outstanding applications.”

There are seven Award categories—six of which recognise individuals. The other will celebrate positive news reporting about young people in Australia.

The Award categories are:

  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Creating Pathways
  • Community Leadership
  • Safer Communities
  • Personal Courage
  • Cultural Understanding, and
  • The Positive Media Award

The Award categories and prizes were agreed upon through consultation with young people, while the selection panel is also made up exclusively of young Australians.

“Perhaps most importantly, the category winners will walk away knowing the awards were designed and judged by young people, for young people,” Senator Ryan said.

Each of the six individual category winners will receive $2,000, a trophy and a certificate, while the winner of the Positive Media Award will receive a trophy and certificate.

The Awards are for young people aged from 12 to 25 (with the exception of the Positive Media Award) and applicants can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else.

Applications for the 2014 National Youth Awards close on 8 January 2014.

More information on the National Youth Awards, including details of the 2013 winners and finalists, is available at www.youthweek.com/nya.