2026 WA Youth Awards
The WA Youth Awards celebrate the contributions of young people and youth organisations who show outstanding dedication to making a positive change in their community and recognises their leadership and accomplishments.
The 2026 WA Youth Awards were held on Friday 11 September 2026 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth and recognised young people’s powerful contributions to their communities and our State.
Jackson Philips was named as the 2026 WA Young Person of the Year for his work in coaching and mentoring young tennis players and the positive impact he has on those around him.
A proud Knaarla Karla Booja, Billardong and Wilman young person, Jackson is a passionate athlete and has represented WA at six National Indigenous Tennis Carnivals and competes in Men’s Division 2 tennis.
Jackson is currently in Year 11 and along with being selected as the WA Young Person of the Year from 39 finalists and more than 180 nominations, he was also recognised as the winner of the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Rising Voice Award for acting as a role model among his peers and within the tennis community.
Winners of the 2026 WA Youth Awards were:
- Carers WA Milestone Award: Elissa Oakey
- Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Rising Voice Award: Jackson Phillips
- Charmaine Dragun Memorial Award: Maeson Harvey
- ECU Action Award: Alexander Hart
- MercyCare Lived Experience Award: Hannah Iemma
- Minister for Youth’s Most Outstanding Youth Worker Award: Brandyn Finau
- Mission Australia Young Changemaker Award: Ellie Vrankovich
- Uplyft Creative Contribution Award: Prince Attwood
- The Y WA Collective Action Award: Youth Disability Advocacy Network
- Youth Focus Sector Collaboration Award: City of Swan Ballajura Youth Outreach Project (BYOP)
Category winners receive a $1,000 prize.
The WA Young Person of the Year receives a $10,000 project allowance to support a youth-focused initiative. For more information visit the YACWA website.
The Youth Awards are presented by the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) in partnership with the Department of Communities, and with support from Lotterywest and RAC WA.
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