Nominate someone for a Youth Recognition Award!
Published on 26 February 2025
Nominations are now open for the City of Onkaparinga’s 2025 Youth Recognition Awards, honouring the achievements of the region’s young people aged eight to 25.
If you know someone whose outstanding actions to improve themself and their community, and for securing their future, you can nominate them now by completing an online form before midday on Monday 17 March.
The annual awards, delivered with the assistance of the Onkaparinga Youth Committee, will be presented at the Arts Centre in Port Noarlunga as part of SA Youth Week on Monday 14 April.
There are five awards for young people – including a new category for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander school-aged young person making an impact through their contribution to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture, community or Country – and one award for an Onkaparinga youth sector worker:
Learning Success: A category for young people who have achieved significant academic success whether it be ‘getting the grade’, mentoring other young people to do so or showcased excellence in learning new skills.
Personal Achievement: This category shines a light on those who have overcome adversity and shown resilience through personal hardship to overcome the many challenges life can throw at young people.
Contribution to Community: An award that acknowledges the young people who give extra time back to community groups, schools and other programs that benefit the people of Onkaparinga.
Business, Employment and Social Enterprise: An award to recognise young people who have turned their ideas into business and social enterprise as well as acknowledging those young people who have worked hard to secure employment. This one is for the hard workers, innovative thinkers and change makers!
Onkaparinga Youth Worker of the Year: To be eligible for this award the nominated person can be of any age but must work with young people from the Onkaparinga area. Workers include but are not limited to: police, child protection, health, education, youth work and youth services, including those working with young people in the sports and recreation and arts and cultural sector. You don’t have to be a ‘youth worker’ per se to be nominated in this category!
Neporendi Deadly Achievers Award: Organisers are thrilled to introduce a brand-new award category in collaboration with Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc. This award celebrates an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander school-aged young person living in the City of Onkaparinga who is making an impact through their contribution to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture, community or Country. This deadly achiever uplifts their community and is recognised for keeping culture strong and inspired.
Get your nominations in before midday on Monday 17 March by completing this online form!
You can see the list of 2024 award recipients here.