WA Youth Awards Winners

Jackson is a proud Knaarla Karla Booja, Ballardong and Wilman athlete, student, and leader making a strong impact in his school, sporting and cultural communities. He has represented WA at six National Indigenous Tennis Carnivals, and competes in Men's Division 2 tennis. Jackson is a valued member of his tennis club as a trainee coach, empowering younger athletes to build confidence. Beyond formal coaching, Jackson arrives early before his own training sessions to support young family members and juniors with extra practice. Jackson is already seen as a role model among younger players.

Elissa challenges misconceptions about chronic illness and disability by openly sharing her lived experience of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, POTS, scoliosis, and other invisible disabilities. She travelled to complete her Occupational Therapy Honours degree while managing chronic illness and caring for her mum. During this time, she self‑published a children’s book promoting early scoliosis detection and owner‑trained her assistance dog, Evie, who became WA’s first scent‑trained POTS alert dog. She also supported the development of BioPaws Detection. Elissa continues to support peers navigating diagnosis and discrimination, helping them feel validated and less alone.

Maeson, a WhyNot editor/journalist and yourtown Youth Network member, helps build and contribute to platforms that amplify authentic youth stories and policy perspectives. He is also the founder of Maesons Soapbox, a Community Development Officer, and a volunteer with the local Fire & Rescue Service. Travelling out of Pannawonica vast distances, he brings literature and independent stories to regional communities. Maeson hopes to model to his peers that creating change is not about waiting for the perfect opportunity or location - it's about having the courage to start exactly where you are.

Alexander has a passion for STEM, community service, and sustainability, and has designed a satellite, app and website with a team that calculates bushfire risk as part of NASA’s Space Apps Challenge. He also competed in First Lego League, designing a drone system that aims to reduce coral bleaching. Beyond this, Alexander regularly organises local park cleanups, and has taken part in tree planting initiatives. Alexander volunteers as a tutor, was part of the 2026 Youth Fest planning committee, and represented the Central Wheatbelt in Youth Parliament this year.

Hannah is passionate about creating positive change through advocacy, connection and community. Inspired by her lived experience with Multiple Sclerosis and as a neurodivergent woman, she is committed to challenging the systems that exclude young people. Through her roles in education and youth programming, she champions the strengths and leadership of young people with disability and neurodivergence. Her fundraising and advocacy for Multiple Sclerosis research have raised thousands of dollars while challenging misconceptions about invisible illness and chronic conditions. As a tutor, Special Needs Education Assistant and coordinator of the ECU CoderDojo program, Hannah creates inclusive learning environments where every young person can thrive.

Brandyn is a youth worker with more than 15 years' experience creating opportunities for young people across local government and the community sector. As Youth Program and Engagement Officer at the City of Wanneroo's Dordaak Kepup Youth Innovation Hub, he leads Third Space and Youth Club Days programs and has embedded youth-led, place-based approaches that strengthen leadership and belonging. Brandyn has developed innovative volunteering and engagement pathways, mentored emerging youth workers, and championed collaboration across the sector. His work is shaping contemporary youth practice and creating systems that empower young people and strengthen communities.

Ellie is an emerging leader, and has independently developed the Criminal Injuries Compensation handbook. Ellie also contributes to activism through YACWA’s All It Takes program, the YEP Youth Reference Group and The STOP Campaigns Safe Response Toolkit, while creating accessibility resources for people living with disability through Lightbulb Skills. Ellie platforms the voices of others to create practical, sustainable change so that people can live more fulfilling hopeful lives.

Prince is an award-winning performance maker, playwright, director and musician whose work amplifies the voices of young queer and BIPOC communities. Guided by a decolonial practice and their lived experience as a mixed-race, transgender artist, they create bold, socially engaged theatre that explores identity, racism, belonging and generational trauma. Alongside developing new works and founding BikeLock Art House, Prince mentors emerging artists, facilitates community conversations and creates opportunities for underrepresented creatives. Their practice uses performance to inspire dialogue, build community and drive meaningful social change.

Youth Disability Advocacy Network is WA's peak body for young people with disability and Australia’s only constitutionally youth-led Disabled People’s Organisation. Founded and run by young Disabled people, YDAN exists to ensure Disabled young people's voices are included in the decisions that impact their lives. Through co-design, programs, advocacy, leadership development, employment pathways and systems change, YDAN amplifies the voices of more than 40,000 young Disabled Western Australians. With 100% Disabled staffing and governance led by lived experience, YDAN transforms exclusion into opportunity, creating a generation of connected, confident young leaders reshaping communities, services and public policy.

The City of Swan’s Ballajura Youth Outreach Project is a place-based initiative improving youth wellbeing, safety and connection through outreach, co-design and community partnerships. Delivered with Kids First Australia, the project engaged young people in schools, parks and community spaces, creating pathways to support, leadership and participation. Young people were central to decision-making through the Ballajura Youth Committee, which co-designed programs, resources and events. Achieving hundreds of engagements and a 94% reduction in antisocial behaviour at the Ballajura Hub, the project demonstrates the power of early intervention and youth-led solutions.