MidCoast Youth Awards

The arts award is given to young people who have excelled in their chosen field within the arts. Fields include visual arts (drawing, filmmaking, painting and photography), literary arts (fiction, drama, poetry and prose) and the performing arts (dance, music and theatre). The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Demonstrated a commitment to the field through ongoing contributions
• Been recognised for their work through formal and informal achievements
• And/or supported others to engage with the arts in a meaningful way

Examples include:

• A young person actively involved in community theatre productions
• A student whose artwork has received local, regional or state acclaim and/or awards
• An individual who has gotten their friends involved in a performance

This award is sponsored by Friends of the Manning Regional Gallery

The community service award recognises young people who have volunteered their time to give back to our community. This award acknowledges those young people who strive to put the interests and needs of others first, to better the community as a whole. The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Strong, local volunteer experience that can be evidenced
• A demonstrated impact through their contribution to the community

Examples include:

• A young person who has consistently volunteered their time for a community group
• A young person who has volunteered on a short-term project that has had a large community impact

The leadership award acknowledges those young people who display or sustain positive leadership qualities or positions within the community. The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• An evidenced commitment to the field they lead in
• Integrity in doing so
• Inspiring others to participate in the field

Examples include:

• A school captain or SRC member who has displayed the above qualities and been involved in projects with a positive outcome
• An individual involved in a leadership role at a sporting club or community group

The sports award recognises a young person who is successful and/or has represented the community in their chosen sport. This young person may be part of a team or a solo sport. The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Demonstrated significant achievements within their sport; and/or
• Represented the community at a regional, state or national level

Examples include:

• A young person who has won numerous awards in their chosen sport
• An individual who has represented their sport and the community at a regional or higher level

This award is sponsored by MidCoast Council

This award celebrates young people who have bounced back from tough times to accomplish a positive outcome. The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Demonstrated triumph over adversity
• Inspired others to achieve with their story
• Shown a dramatic increase in self-confidence/talent/area of life

Examples include:

• A young person who has achieved positive results at school despite significant adversity in their private life
• A young person who has inspired their peers or the wider community through their story of overcoming a struggle in their life
• An individual that has put in hard work to improve their circumstance or a skill they are trying to master
• A young person who has implemented a campaign, activity or program to support the wellbeing of their community or school

This award acknowledges individuals who have exhibited innovation, motivation, vision and creativity to establish a business venture or new start up business.  The recipient of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Showing initiative in getting a new business off the ground
• Demonstrating creativity in pushing through roadblocks

Examples include:

• A young person who has thought outside the box and created an online presence creating an income
• A young person who has shown vision and initiative to start a business and follow through on an idea
• Please note: The entrepreneurship award is open to young people aged 18-24.

This award is sponsored by LJ Hooker Taree

The Team Award acknowledges young people who have worked well together in a team, displaying integrity and leadership, and achieving positive outcomes for their club, school and/or community. The recipients of this award will have addressed criteria that includes:

• Collaborated effectively to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Worked effectively as a team, supporting each other to achieve positive outcomes for their club, school or community.
• Shown exceptional leadership as a team, displaying integrity and inspiring others to participate in their team, club or community.  

Examples include:

• A school SRC who have worked together to achieve positive outcomes for the school and/or community.
• A sports team who have displayed significant achievements in their sport and contributed positively to community outcomes. 
• A youth reference or advocacy group who have been actively involved in their school, club and/or community, helping to organise community events and/or activities.