Celebrating Ballarat’s young people

Ballarat’s extraordinary young people were celebrated at the City of Ballarat Youth Awards on Friday night.  

The annual youth-led initiative pays tribute to young people making valuable contributions in a range of sectors, including sport, equity, diversity and inclusion, and community service.  

The awards are designed and delivered by Youth Services volunteers and City of Ballarat staff.  

The individual contributions of 95 young people were recognised across 10 categories. 

Keeley Johnson and Jasmine Goon were named as the winners of the prestigious major awards for ages 18-25 and 12-17 respectively.  

Winners of the other categories are as follows:  

• Compassion and Care Award – Keeley Johnson  
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award - Albert Mumba
• Group Project Award - Delacombe Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Group
• Influential Adult – Volunteer - Wendy England
• Influential Adult – Worker - Nikki Bell
• Leadership in Sport & Recreation Award - Mitchell Hardman
• Personal Growth Award – Delana Wright
• Positive Leader Award - Gabriel Gervasoni
• Young Creative Award - Jasmine Goon
• Youth Volunteer Award - Noah Quick 

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson, who attended the awards, said it was fantastic to celebrate the contributions of Ballarat’s young people to their community.  

“From the calibre of young people nominated for the youth awards, it’s clear our community’s future is bright,” he said.  

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank every young person, both winners and nominees, for their contributions to our community.”  

The City of Ballarat Youth Awards are supported through a partnership of community agencies including: Ballarat Foundation, Ballarat Tech School, Basketball Ballarat, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Buninyong and District Community Bank, Ballarat Youth Services Network, Committee for Ballarat, Compassionate Ballarat, headspace Ballarat, Highlands LLEN, Western Bulldogs, Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Y Ballarat and the Victorian Government.

For more information about the Youth Awards, visit the City of Ballarat website.