Wollongong Youth Week Awards

For the last seven years, Bharathi (19) has consistently and tirelessly been volunteering for a diverse range of causes which she's been equally passionate about.

Through her volunteering, Bharathi has contributed to various sectors of society in a holistic and meaningful way. Areas she's volunteered in include environmental, educational and humanitarian causes, mental health and wellbeing, and aged care.

On a community level, Bharathi has volunteered providing music relief for aged care residents. This includes playing the violin and music therapy by playing music from each resident's childhood to help against memory degradation.

Bharathi volunteers as an Executive Member for the Philosophy Forum club, facilitating discussions and providing an inclusive space for students to learn critical thinking and communication skills through discussion.

Bharathai has volunteered with Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Fisher's Ghost Community Orchestra, Interact Club and as a Peer Support Leader assisting Year 7s to transition into high school socially, emotionally and academically.

Lucy Brannigan (16) actively works within her school and local community to represent, to lead and be an advocate for her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture.

Lucy's vibrant and energetic personality has a positive impact on everyone she meets. As she follows her own journey of self-discovery, she also contributes to social action and positive change in both her local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and the wider community.

At her school, Lucy regularly runs workshops with non-Indigenous students and performs Acknowledgement of Country at school functions and assemblies. She also works to support students with disability at her local primary school one day a week, and teaches gymnastics at 'My First Gym'.

Lucy dances with the Yanga Garaba Dance Company for Southern Stars. She also works with the NRL as part of the Youth Summit Leadership Team for Indigenous students, teaching young athletes cheerleading. She recently won the National Cheerleading Championship for the second time.

Sarah is a resilient and courageous young trans artist who has been a positive role model for other young LGBTIQ+, gender questioning and trans young people.

Sarah's artistic practice features reflects his experience through major themes of acceptance, belonging and connection.

As a participant in Wollongong Youth Service's Young Artist in Residency 2023 program, Sarah successfully ran Paint n Sip workshops for local young people to develop skills in painting and self-expression. He also took part in the Artist Talks series with the Youth Centre's Rainbow League program participants.

During his residency, Sarah painted two major art works which were exhibited at the Youth Centre, portraying themes of warmth and connection, in response to the isolation experienced by local young people, post-COVID.

Sarah was also invited to exhibit as part of Wollongong Art Gallery's Here + Now exhibition.

Sarah's contribution to the community includes co-managing the annual Trans and Friends Festival at the University of Wollongong.

Saskia (17) is a dedicated musician who works to inspire others’ love of music and pursuit of the performing arts.

She studies saxophone at Wollongong Conservatorium and is working very hard this year in an endeavour to gain admission into Sydney Conservatorium for university for 2025.

Saskia works within her school and the wider community to make music accessible to all. She leads by example by putting herself out there in performances at school and encourages others to do the same. She does not hesitate to get up alongside those who may be a little nervous to perform.

Saskia is Cultural (Arts) Captain at St Mary Star of the Sea College and helps with the planning and running of performing arts events throughout the year. She formed a Jazz Combo at St Mary's in 2023 who have performed at the 150th Gala Ball and Grand Reunion. The Jazz Combo will be played at WIN Entertainment Centre for International Women’s Day in 2024.

Caitlin (17) began studying karate more than eight years ago and has achieved a double brown belt in three karate styles. She has competed at local, state, national, and now international level karate.

Caitlin was selected and represented Australia, and the Illawarra, at the KSI Karate World Championships in July 2023. She was the Flagbearer for Team Australia at the Closing Ceremony, a responsibility and a privilege she holds dear.

Caitlin was recently re-selected for the Australian team for the 2025 KSI Karate World Championships in Finland. Upon selection to the Australian team, Caitlin aimed to use her platform to speak with several Illawarra media outlets to advocate and hopefully inspire more people, in particular girls and women, to consider joining a local dojo. She believes that seeing women as prominent and in leadership roles in what has long been considered a male-oriented sport may help to inspire a new generation of female athletes within the sport.

Caitlin currently volunteers at her local dojo (Samurai Dojo Thirroul) helping Senior Instructors with running classes, Open Days and school holidays programs. She enjoys the thrill of seeing young students embark on their karate journey and progress through the grading system.

Asher (18) attends Five Islands Secondary College and is currently working on a project as part of the Big Picture classroom. This involves conducting research about landfills, waste, and recycling.

Asher has been trying his hardest to minimise waste within the school and his personal environment. He has dedicated time to learn more about recycling and compost, and implemented this knowledge into his studies and practices. Each day he makes his way around the school to check in on staff and students and collect their recyclables to help them minimise waste.

Asher and his Big Picture peers have raised over $100 in three weeks just from collecting the 10c bottles around the school.

When Asher isn't recycling, working in the garden or talking to the permaculture advisor, he is researching the cause he is so interested in. His Big Picture project is all about the amount of waste Australians go through annually and how impactful recycling is for the environment and overall for the country.

Happy Body Collective (HBC) is a local small business providing hula hooping classes, live entertainment and funky activewear.

Its founders, Bianca Pentrecost and Lauren Greer (the Hoop Babes), have built HBC from the ground up, forging their own space in the Wollongong arts and culture scene and achieving their mission of spreading joy through hula hooping.

The Hoop Babes' winning combination of enthusiasm, business sense, grit and straight up sick hooping skills has not only led to the continuing growth of their brand, but also acted as an inspiration to young female artists around them.

Bianca and Lauren's business model is based on a belief that expression and joy through movement should be available to all bodies and abilities. Their regular hula hoop workshops provide a great opportunity for people to get moving, laughing and building confidence.

Lauren and Bianca also provide these workshops on campus free of charge to UOW students, and at IDAHOBIT Day. Their classes foster community and encourage a "fun-based movement revolution".

Congratulations also go to the following nominees, who were highly commended in our Youth Week Awards:

• Highly Commended Young Person - Volunteer 2024: Jurni Young
• Highly Commended Young Person - Community Ambassador 2024: Eren Maltby
• Highly Commended Young Person - Performer 2024: Empure
• Highly Commended Young Person - Sportsperson 2024: Zac Hilton
• Highly Commended Young Person - Small Business 2024: Baraa Mahmoud.