Nominations are now open for the City of Onkaparinga Youth Recognition Awards 2022.
These annual awards recognise, celebrate and honour young people for their outstanding actions in improving themselves, their future and their community.
This year council has four youth award categories and one sector award:
- Learning Success: 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.
- Contribution to Community: acknowledges the young people who give extra time back to community groups, schools and other programs that benefit the people of Onkaparinga.
- Personal Achievement: shines light on those who have overcome adversity, shown resilience through personal hardship to overcome the many challenges life can throw at young people.
- Business & Social Enterprise: recognises young people who have turned their ideas into business and social enterprise. Recognises young people who are innovative thinkers and change makers.
- Youth Worker of the Year: a brand-new category this 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 (Onkaparinga Council employees are not eligible).
Winner of the 2021 Personal Achievement Award, Darcy Schaaf encouraged the community to nominate someone worthy for this year’s Youth Recognition Awards.
“I joined Expressway Arts at Carclew in North Adelaide when I was 15 years of age and had been a bit of a delinquent up until then. Becoming part of the Expressway family got me onto the right path and stimulated my interest in film making.
I was humbled and really chuffed when I found out the Creative Producer for Expressway Arts, Tamara Collins had nominated me for the 2021 Youth Recognition Awards. When I saw all the other nominations for this category I realised just how lucky I was to be included in this talented bunch of young nominees.
Winning the Personal Achievement Award has validated my life decisions and I am now in my second year of a Bachelor of Creative Arts – Screen at Flinders Uni. I have just finished my second year working on Fringe film and theatre events and I now call myself an ‘artist’.
I will be forever grateful to Tamara for nominating me in the Youth Recognition Awards, by doing this she instilled confidence in me which has been life-changing”, Darcy said.
If you know a young person who deserves recognition for their achievements or an individual in the youth sector who supports young people to reach their full potential, why not nominate them for this year’s awards.
Nominations close Thursday 21 April at 5pm and the awards will be presented on Monday 16 May at Port Noarlunga Art Centre.
These awards are organised by the Onkaparinga Youth Committee and are part of the City of Onkaparinga’s SA Youth Week celebrations .
For more information visit the website or contact Joshua Stokes on youth@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au or 0468 552 891.