Acknowledging the youth of today for a better tomorrow

YOUNG environmental activists will this year be acknowledged in the Surf Coast Shire’s Youth Awards, with the council including an environment category for the first time.

The Environment Award – which is one of four – recognises young people who have made a significant contribution to improving the health of the environment through actions and advocating in environmental matters in either a leadership or volunteer position.

It also acknowledges the importance of raising awareness and inspiring local action, such as the shire’s declaration of a climate emergency last year.

Cr Martin Duke said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate young people and recognise their “often unheralded” contributions to the community.

“From year to year the profiles and achievements of all of our nominees never fail to impress and inspire. I urge people to consider making a nomination and giving individuals the recognition they deserve. Just being nominated is an honour.

“We have had some outstanding young environmental achievers feature in the community category in previous years. It will be great to see them being recognised in a category of their own.”

Nominations for the 2020 Youth Awards are now open and close at midnight on March 8. Other categories include community, arts and sports.

Candidates must be aged between 12 and 25 and live, work, study or participate in recreation in the shire.

A young person can either nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Collectives of people, including a band, community group, group art project or sporting team, can also be nominated.

The Youth Awards will be presented in the council chambers on March 28 at a ceremony presented by former youth award recipient Emily Ross and local Kaye Pulido.

Award recipients also qualify for the shire’s Australia Day Awards. To complete a nomination form, head to surveymonkey.com/r/2020youthawards.