Image: Communities Director General Mike Rowe pictured alongside Community Spirit Award winner Randall Manolis.
Forty-two young people were honoured across three categories – the University Achiever Award, the Registered Training Achiever Award for a young person who is commencing their first registered training course and the Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award for a young person who is commencing their first apprenticeship or traineeship.
Former child in care and Achiever Award winner Annelise, who won a University Achiever Award in 2020 and is currently studying medicine, shared her story and spoke inspiring words to motivate the 2023 winners.
“I just wanted to highlight the significance of the remarkable young people that have been nominated for the achiever awards, as they’ve not only driven their future to achieve their goals but did so among circumstances no young person should have to go through,” Annelise said.
“Somehow, the achiever award nominees have been able to show strength and resilience beyond belief to be where they are today, to meet their needs despite extensive hardships that most children do not have to endure.
“This is a testament to their resilience and drive and indicates nothing less than the fact their contribution to society will be unmatched.”
Annelise also thanked her former case worker, Janelle, who she said went above and beyond to help her reach her goals.
“Janelle was nothing less than empowering, and no doubt contributed to my confidence in myself to be where I am today,” she said.
“Thank you also to all the department staff who continue to do this for the young people in care - no matter how smart, resilient, capable and internally motivated young people are, the significance of empowerment and belief in us shouldn’t be undermined.”
As part of the program, an Achiever Award winner receives the Community Spirit Award, which recognises and celebrates a commitment to community service and leadership. Joint winners were chosen for 2023 for their mentor and leadership work.
For the past nine years, the Achiever Awards program has recognised a worthy child protection staff member for going above and beyond in the education and training space. The award is all about promoting positive education and training outcomes in child protection and nominations are put forward by peers and colleagues.
Winners for 2023 where Eugenia Leslie-George who works as an Education Officer in the West Kimberley office, and Care Team 5 from the Midland District who work with young people leaving the care of the CEO.
The Achiever Awards was sponsored by Curtin University (major sponsor), Apprenticeship Support Australia, Edith Cowan University, Notre Dame University Australia and the University of Western Australia.
For more information about the Achiever Awards program visit our Achiever Awards webpage.
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