Mount Alexander Shire Youth Awards

 

The Mount Alexander Youth Awards are held every two years and are a celebration of local young people who live, work, study or play in the shire. The awards aim to recognise and highlight the work young people are doing and the contributions they make to the wider community.

The 2022 Mount Alexander Youth Awards Festival saw six incredible young people take home well-deserved awards.

The festival was held at Western Reserve in Castlemaine where people of all ages gathered to celebrate the contributions that young people make to our community.

The awards recognise leadership across five separate categories.

Congratulations to our 2022 winners:

Fionn Kennedy – Youth Award for Social Impact

Chase Norfolk – Youth Award in STEM and Trades

Amos McGann Reynolds – Youth Awards in Music and the Arts

Boriss Bendrups – Youth Awards in Music and the Arts

Ben Dubuc Timson – Youth Award in the Environment

Tegan Maddern – Youth Award in Sports and Recreation.

 

Meet the 2022 winners:

Amos McGann Reynolds – Youth Award in Music and the Arts

Amos has been involved with Over the Moon yoga and dance studio for 15 years in many roles: student, class assistant and mentor, master class volunteer, backstage assistant, sounds technician, and photographer. He’s been an important role model for younger students and other class assistants, always willing to help out. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amos wanted to keep creativity alive and support student wellbeing during lockdowns. This led him to film weekly yoga sessions for his peers, and he even spoke to ABC Radio National about the important of dancing through the pandemic.

Boriss Bendrups – Youth Award in Music and the Arts

Boriss is an enthusiastic percussionist who’s been a member of the Thompson’s Foundry Band for the past five years, beginning when he was 11 years old. Until recently, Boriss was the only youth member of the band, where he demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting its older members. He aspired not only to perform well, but to help improve the band, which includes many performers who are new to music. Over the years, Boriss has performed in several events for the Castlemaine State Festival, and his year participated in Orchestra Victoria’s On the Move training program.

Chase Norfolk – Youth Award in STEM and Trades

Chase is an invaluable team member and leader at the Nalderun Me-mandook Galk and the Booladj Kiarp Bolealong (Three Creeks Meet) sites. He contributes his experience and knowledge after his successful completion of a school-based traineeship in cultural land management with North Central Catchment Management Authority. He is now the Coordinator of Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation’s School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships program, where he supports Aboriginal trainees when completing their on-country learning. Chase has excelled in the many roles he’s stepped into over the years including Nalderun Board Member, First Nations Youth Mentor and Coordinator of the Bush Tucker Project.

Tegan Maddern – Youth Award in Sports and Recreation

Tegan volunteers across a number of roles at the Castlemaine District Netball Association (CDNA): junior development squad coach, general committee member and PR representative. She also manages and plays in the CDNA competition. Tegan has been umpiring across all netball division since she was 11 years old and is now a badged umpire. Through these roles, Tegan supports children at the beginning of their netball careers all the way through to those competing at the highest levels.

Ben Dubuc Timson – Youth Award in the Environment

Ben has been active in environmental protection for many years. He has been involved in organising fundraising events, educating and raising awareness, and advocating and raising awareness alongside organisations such as Stop Adani, Bob Brown Foundation, School Strike for Climate, Central Vic Climate Action, Wilderness Society and Mount Alexander Climate Justice. Ben is currently writing a book about his involvement in environmental protection, the impact of climate change and what others can do to help.

Fionn Kennedy – Youth Award for Social Impact

Fionn has made a significant contribution to the community by supporting young men through the Castlemaine Rites of Passage program for the past four years. He volunteers as a weekend leader and supports others, contributing to a positive culture among young men in the community. He is also active in the local music scene, and has performed at a number of youth events including climate rallies and school strike events.