Six State finalists for Minister's Positive Image Award to be selected

4/12/98

The media spotlight will today focus on a group of unassuming young Western Australians whose selfless actions have been recognised in a special award program.

The 29 young people from across the State are in the city to celebrate becoming District Representatives in the Youth Minister's Positive Image Award.

They will join Youth Minister Mike Board for lunch at Parliament House today to find out who will be among the six State Finalists in the award program.

Mr Board has hailed the 29 District Representatives as an inspiration to their peers and proof to the rest of the community that young people really do make positive contributions to society, often unrecognised.

"These representatives are evidence that 95 per cent of young people are leading positive lives and making significant contributions to our community," Mr Board said.

"It is not fair that the positive majority should be tarred with the same brush as the few per cent who choose to do the wrong thing. And neither is it right that the anti-social minority should get all the headlines and air time.

"These young people have been chosen as examples of the thousands of young Western Australians who give their time and energy selflessly every day to help those less fortunate than themselves.

"If the community wants to feel good about its future, it only needs to look at these people. Not only are they the future but they are contributing right here, right now."

More than a thousand young people were nominated for the award through 160 schools across the State.

Each school chose its own School Ambassador, who was then put forward for consideration as a District Representative. The six State Finalists, chosen from the 29 District Representatives, will be announced today.

The winner of the award will be announced at the WA Youth Awards Showcase in March and will become eligible for consideration as the WA Young Person of the Year.

The Office of Youth Affairs established the WA Youth Awards Showcase in response to concerns expressed by young people at a series of youth forums held across the State.

Young people said they felt they were getting a raw deal because of negative media coverage and were not getting recognition for the many positive contributions that they were making to the community.

The Awards Showcase includes the Positive Image Award, the WA Youth Media Awards and a six-category WA Young Person of the Year Award.

The 29 District Representatives have a full day of activities ahead of them. Besides the Parliament House lunch, they will also share a Timezone session with WA sports stars, see a special feature movie preview and enjoy a twilight sail on the STS Leeuwin.

Media contact: Jody Robb 9222 9211 or 0411-592 138