The annual Boroondara Youth Awards recognise the important role young people and organisations play in contributing to a safer and more resilient community.
Boroondara Youth Parliament member, Chloe McCormick, hosted the 2024 Boroondara Youth Awards presentation ceremony. Guest speakers included:
- Brenton Ponza, the 2024 Boroondara Citizen of the Year
- Henry Shirrefs, the 2024 Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year
- Kim Rennie, AFLW North Melbourne Football Club ruck player.
There was a musical performance by young person Zak Gully.
Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 finalists and winners.
Left to right: Environment and Sustainability: Saria Ratnam, Youth Professional: Lara Malachowski, Leadership (Senior): Oscar Liu and Inclusive Youth Program: Swinburne Student Life
Absent: Leadership (Junior): Leo Puglisi, Creative Arts: Zeta Hamilton-Durkin, Youth Volunteer: Amelia Chuah
Leadership (Junior): Leo Puglisi
Leo was awarded for the founding of Channel 6 News (established in 2019) focusing on local news. It has since expanded to include coverage of state and federal news. Leo has led the development of this service, recruiting a range of young people to run the channel.
Leadership (Senior): Oscar Liu
Oscar was awarded for his support of young people at Holy Trinity Kew, being both the team leader of the Parish Office and a leadership figure within the Kew Philharmonic Society. He recently began the role of creating a youth group in the internationally recognised and longest-serving military order, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller.
Creative Arts: Zeta Hamilton-Durkin
Zeta was awarded for creating Trajectoire, an exhibition which aims to highlight the work of young people and “celebrate their interconnecting web of identities and passions”. Trajectroire has included bands, short films and artworks of different mediums.
Environment and Sustainability: Saria Ratnam
Saria was awarded for leading environmental projects at her school, Fintona. This has included earning 4 stars through the resource smart schools program, leading an inter-school sustainability group for more than 30 young people. Her work included planning in-person and online events such as school tours, planting events, platypus surveying and leading an eco-festival.
Youth Volunteer: Amelia Chuah
Amelia was awarded for volunteering with The Pied Piper Toy Library, Regis Shenley Manor Aged Care, and STEPtember, a charity that raises money to support those with cerebral palsy.
Youth Professional: Lara Malachowski
Lara was awarded for their work as a local dance teacher providing dance training to students, creating choreography for competitions and VCE dance, and empowering young people to express their creativity.
Inclusive Youth Program: Swinburne Student Life
Awarded for programs that engage and support a diverse student body with particular attention to enhancing inclusivity and support for under-represented groups.