Fifty-seven young people were nominated across 12 categories at the 25th anniversary of the Alpine Shire Youth Awards, held at the Bright Community Centre on Friday, 12
September.
The sold-out ceremony honoured the achievements of young people across Alpine Shire and celebrated a broad range of talents, including running a poddy calf business,
mentoring young students through the Koorie Kids program, and forging strong intergenerational connections with residents at Barwidgee Lodge in Myrtleford.
This year was the Silver Jubilee of the Alpine Shire Youth Awards, with the number of young people nominated breaking the record for any nominations over the past 25 years.
Tickets for the ceremony sold out in a week, filling the Bright Community Centre with loved ones to honour the 57 young people recognised for their individual excellence and community contributions.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, said it was incredibly challenging to select the winners amongst the nominees.
"Every year I am humbled by the extraordinary qualities of the young people who live in Alpine Shire," she said.
"From those who have lived here their whole lives to those who have more recently moved to our area, they contribute so much to our communities, sometimes unseen
but always felt.
"It is a wonderful thing to know, as a council, we have recognised the contributions of our young people for a quarter of a century.
"I am continually inspired by their passion and it is clear from the number of the nominations so many people in our communities feel the same way."
This year's ceremony was organised by the Youth Awards Committee, made up of Bright locals Patrick Day, Julian Kitchen, Skye Snowden and Elkie Timbs.
The event featured a musical act by Lily Spencer and a dance number from winner of the Performing Arts Award, Sharna Hall-Bidois.
Katsu Japanese Restaurant catered for the event, with sound and lighting provided by Alpine Audio Visual.
The Alpine Shire Youth Awards celebrates the achievements of young people aged between 12 to 25 years across the Alpine Shire.
Each year, community members are invited to nominate young people across a range of categories to recognise their talents and honour their contributions.
More information about the Alpine Shire Youth Awards is available online on Engage Alpine: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/alpine-shire-youth-awards
Alpine Shire Council congratulated the 13 award winners across the 12 categories, as well as all 57 nominees:
*Saskia Heuperman, Academic Award sponsored by Dickens Real Estate.
*Helina Murphy, Community Award sponsored by Kiewa Mitta Murray Community Enterprises Limited trading as Community Bank, Mount Beauty and District.
*Mo Han Wang, Endurance and Persistence Award sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bright.
*Sharnea Hall-Bidois, Performing Arts Award sponsored by the Rotary Club of Myrtleford.
*Lauree Duncan, Proud & Deadly Award sponsored by Alpine Shire Council.
*Lily Boyer, Rural Award sponsored by TAFCO Rural Supplies.
*Emily Macklan, Sport and Recreation Award sponsored by the Lions Club of the Upper Kiewa Valley.
*Ethan Jenkins, Visual Arts and Media Award sponsored by the Bright Art Gallery & Cultural Centre.
*Teagan Brown and Tyler Sacco, Workplace Award sponsored by Hancock Victorian Plantations.
*The Year 9 Barwidgee Lodge Intergenerational Program at Myrtleford P-12 College, Youth Award (12 to 16 Years) sponsored by Community Bank Bright.
*Jack Byrne, Youth Award (17 to 21 years) sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bright.