City of Ballarat is encouraging nominations for this year's Youth Awards to recognise the valuable contributions young people make to the Ballarat community.
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2021 Youth Awards ambassador Indya Hayes said being nominated for an award last year gave her the confidence to continue her new business.
Ms Hayes launched her clothing company The Minority Co. 12 months ago with an aim to create conversations about social movements like Black Lives Matter.
She said the youth award nomination for the young entrepreneur category last year supported her journey.
"I got that bit of recognition that I am a small business now and maybe I have what it takes to pull this off," he said.
"I have been lucky I have had so much exposure that I have got connections with people and I have been able to get my business out there quite a bit.
"The youth awards are good for that exposure."
About 80 young people have been nominated for a youth award so far.
I wanted to join the organising team so I could celebrate the diversity and use it to the community's advantage rather than hiding it or suppressing it.
- Charli Bevan, youth awards organising team member
The organising team hopes more nominations will be received before the cut off date on June 25.
Ardithya Shaktivel, 12, Shayla Cobbledick, 12, Charli Bevan, 16 and Ivy Clark, 16, have been a part of the team of young people organising the youth awards.
The team of 15 young people underwent event training and have taken opportunities to develop skills in their field of interest.
Ardithya is focusing on stage management, Shayla on coordinating prizes and Charli on poster design.
"I wanted to join the organising team so I could celebrate the diversity and use it to the community's advantage rather than hiding it or suppressing it," Charli said.
"I wanted to get involved in the community and be a part of it because I thought that it was really cool," Ardithya said.
"I wanted to get involved in the community, help others and show them the respect in our community for the things they do," Shayla said.
The organising team is hoping to be able to host an in person awards even on August 13 showcasing the talent of young people in the community with musicians, performances and the awards ceremony.
The key aim is to highlight the stories of the 'quiet achievers'. Nominees will have the chance to meet awards ambassadors.
Charli, Shayla and Ardithya said it was inspiring to hear the stories of young people like Ms Hayes.
"It is encouraging to see that and it pushes us more to follow what we want to do and follow our own path," Charli said.
"It makes me want to do something like that in the future," Shayla said.
Visit youthawards.ballarat.vic.gov.au/ to make a nomination for the youth awards. There is also a category for 'adult allies'.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
