Rosebud – Mornington Peninsula Shire

Lily Setnik has displayed remarkable leadership, initiative, and dedication to the environment and community service. As an Environmental Leader at Rosebud Secondary and a volunteer for various environmental causes, Lily actively protects and restores the local environment, inspiring her community. Her kindness extends to volunteering at the Southern Peninsula Community Support Centre, fostering strong connections. Lily serves as a positive role model in the Mornington Peninsula.

Violet Town – Strathbogie

Elliette, currently in the Victorian High Achiever Program at Euroa Secondary College, is a remarkable individual. She has received a Rotary Scholarship and was named Australia Day Junior Citizen of the Year for Violet Town. Elliette’s initiative for a festive Halloween night brought the community together, while her fundraising efforts for COVID-19 research and earthquake relief in Nepal showcased her compassion. She is a natural leader, mentor, and caring individual who goes above and beyond to make a difference.

Crib Point – Mornington Peninsula Shire

Luella investigated the decreasing bee population. Luella investigated one key impact, local pests. She discovered the impact wasps were having on the local bee population and wanted to design a low-impact solution. Luella’s design concept is that of a weighted sensor that closes the door to a beehive preventing wasps from entering the hive. Luella has applied the design process to her innovative design.

Crib Point – Mornington Peninsula Shire

Ava and Maddie’s project aims to celebrate and inform the local community about our ecosystem’s vast richness and importance. Their project highlights the diverse fauna and flora, including the weedy sea dragon, while honoring the traditional owners of the land. The girls’ passionate message emphasises the importance of protecting and preserving the local environment, striving to become Ocean Warriors.

Benalla – Rural City of Benalla

The Full Impact Project empowers young people to develop entrepreneurial skills and aspirations for completing their secondary education. It goes beyond academics by assisting participants in navigating employment and accessing local health services for improved well-being. With a youth-led approach, the project prioritises young people’s input in activity and program design. Supported by Tomorrow Today and advised by Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, the project captures young people’s voices, shaping Benalla’s future.

Mill Park – City of Whittlesea

Six passionate young individuals collaborated with the City of Whittlesea’s Youth and Sustainability teams to co-design the Youth Environment Summit. Through joint efforts, they determined focus areas and topics to guide conversations, aiming to empower fellow youth in driving environmental change within their community. The summit successfully engaged hundreds of young attendees, addressing environmental concerns and fostering inspiration for positive action toward a brighter future.

South Morang – City of Whittlesea

Hansikaa Sharma created “Cheerful Christmas Cards” aimed to bring joy to a local nursing home during the holidays. With 104 handmade cards personally delivered to each resident, reminding them they are cherished. This small act of kindness created smiles and connection, combating loneliness. The project demonstrated the power of individual initiatives to foster happiness and belonging. The residents appreciated the personal touch and felt deeply moved.

Epping – City of Whittlesea

In a bid to combat cigarette butt litter in the community, Tanya initiated a project acknowledging the harmful impact of such litter on the environment. She created a petition, gathering community support to request the local council’s action on education and installing specialised bins in schools and parks. Tanya engaged other councils, reaching out to the Prime Minister and joining a UN environment program to support her cause. Her environmental commitment also extended to tackling palm oil usage and tree planting in her hometown in India, earning recognition as a semi-finalist for an environmental award. Determined to make a positive impact, she will continue her efforts to protect the planet.