Young Leader of the Year
Sarah Hanoona
![YLA - Sarah Hanoona.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-sarah-hanoona.png?w=200&h=267)
Sarah was a Youth Advisor at the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) and works at Centre for Multicultural Youth as a Youth Trainee. Sarah has contributed to the Hume community by advocating for young people, developing engaging programs, and using her lived experience as a refugee to elevate the voices of fellow refugees. Sarah was school captain and completed the Youth Parliament program with YMCA.
Young Group of the Year
Victorian Afghan Youth Association
Victorian Afghan Youth Association (VAYA) has demonstrated leadership by addressing needs of young Afghans and making a significant impact on the community. VAYA organise events, workshops and programs tailored to empower and support Afghan youth. They have created platforms to develop their skills, express their talents and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Finalists: Climate Adaption Requires Youth Action (CARYA), Salesian College Sacred Earth Student Action Team
Young Creative Leader
Siyoda Jayawardene
![YLA - Siyoda Jayawardene.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-siyoda-jayawardene.png?w=200&h=267)
Siyoda has been involved in performing Sri Lankan Dancing and presenting on Channel 31 Sri Lankan Morning show where she interviews other young people about their passions. Her enthusiasm and strong passion in this creative field has led to her being commended in the Sri Lankan community as a great leader and representative of youth talent.
Finalists: Brivini Fernando, Lillian Hindson-Peck
Young Environmental Leader
Majorie Falefata
![YLA - Majorie Falefata.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-majorie-falefata.png?w=200&h=267)
Majorie has had various leadership roles at school, church, community, Marjorie is a school captain at her school and president of the SRC. Marjorie plans projects and activities for other young people in the community with a focus on the environment, some of these projects include rubbish clean up days, collection of idle electronic devices which were donated to Melbourne Zoo.
Finalists: Zac Chu
Young Advocacy Leader
Michaela Bench
![YLA - Michaela Bench.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-michaela-bench.png?w=200&h=267)
Michalea advocates for student voice in her role as inclusion and diversity officer at her local school, she champions students in the school community and hosts a range of opportunities to voice their perspective. Michaela shows humility, empathy and compassion in supporting other students.
Finalists: Charlotte Le Guier, Lorjel Sia
Young Gender Equity Leader - Joint Winners
Jamil Nabole
![YLA - Jamil Nabole.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-jamil-nabole.png?w=200&h=267)
Jamil advocates for the rights of LGBTIQA+ young people by being a leader at Youth Camps, speaking at community events including Hume City Council events, and marching in LGBTIQA+ marches. Jamil participates in Pride Camps as camp leader, they share their story, create a safe environment, and support other young people to explore their gender identity.
Aleyna Ozsoy
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Aleyna has led the Youth Against Homophobia (YAH) group for the past 2 years and is an active member of the school's Student Voice Leadership team. Aleyna champions the rights of members of the community who identify as LGBTIQA+ and has worked to increase visibility of the group. This has included running fortnightly meetings, planning significant days such as IDAHOBIT and Wear it Purple Day.
Young Sports Leader
Laura Giles
![YLA - Laura Giles.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-laura-giles.png?w=200&h=256)
Laura has been a member of the Sunbury Lions Football Club for 7 years and was named captain of the Women's Senior Football team in 2023. Laura ensures to foster a culture of inclusion, mentors the younger players, and encourages collaboration with everyone at the club. Laura shows leadership on and off the field.
Finalists: Adam Bell, Jayson Thomson, Dale Readings, Lily Dowsett
Young Social Entrepreneur Leader
Kiana Mei
![YLA - Kiana Mei.png](/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/residents/family-youth-and-childrens-services/youth/yla-kiana-mei.png?w=200&h=267)
Kiana started her small business in December 2021, Kiana sells hand folded Japanese origami artworks and has done this at over 140+ market stalls, Kiana has a vision to implement Youth Markets across Melbourne where young people can sell their items and mentors other young people to support them to sell their items and grow their businesses.
Young Aboriginal Leader
Natasha Walker
Natasha has taken a leadership role at Gladstone Park Secondary College with a focus on advocating for Indigenous students. Natasha advocates for the voices of Indigenous young people, works with the student support team to improve cultural recognition.