THE virtual 2020 Ballarat Youth Awards acknowledged young people achieving excellence throughout the city last Friday.<\/p>\n
Nine young people were awarded for their work and leadership in varying areas, from arts, to sport, to STEM.<\/p>\n
Karissa Cribbes took out three categories as a volunteer for the Centre for Multicultural Youth; the major 18 to 25 award, influential artist sponsored by Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts and positive leader sponsored by Ballarat YMCA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect to win any awards on the night. I was watching at home with my dad…and when they read out my name, I was really confused,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my friends came on and spoke about why I was nominated and why I won. I had no idea it would be me, so I\u2019m really, really grateful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so strange how other people recognise what I\u2019ve done without me recognising it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Cribbes was nominated as an influential artist for 200 paper cranes she created representing women who had died from domestic violence.<\/p>\n
They were exhibited in a show born of the Lead Yourself, Lead Others <\/em>women\u2019s empowerment and gender equality program through CMY.<\/p>\n A community leader, Ms Cribbes is part of the CMY Youth Advisory Group, the Regional Advisory Council for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and Federation University\u2019s Multicultural Student Committee.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything I\u2019m involved in is with a group. Being recognised in the awards is really lovely, but it\u2019s definitely deserved by all the people that I work with. They are their awards as much as they are mine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n