14 Sun Newspapers WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2012. Sun Newspapers WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2012. 15

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Sun Newspapers takes this opportunity to congratulate all 2012 award nominees and finalists and acknowledge the support of all award sponsors, judges and organisers Awards Australia on their

contribution toward this year’s awards. Details on all category winners, as well as the recipient of the 2012 Young Achiever of the Year award, will be published in the April 18 edition of Sun Newspapers

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THE cream of the Northern Territory's youth will gather at the Holiday Inn Esplanade on Saturday, April 14 for the presentation of the 2012 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.

The annual awards are proudly presented by Channel 9 and Sun Newspapers.

The program, run by Awards Australia, aims to encourage, acknowledge and reward individuals, aged between 14 and 26, who have made a difference in all areas of youth endeavours, and provide an opportunity for young people to shine and gain recognition from their community and peers.

Competing for the top honour are three finalists in nine individual award categories.

All individual category winners will receive a $2000 cheque from TIO and a magnificent trophy.

The overall Channel 9 2012 Young Achiever of the Year is announced from one of the nine

category winners and will receive a further $2000 from TIO.

The awards are being held as part of 2012 National Youth Week.

Below, we list the finalists in the running for the 2012 category awards.

Recognising our leading young achievers

The 2012 category finalists are ...

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ANANIA TAGARO

ANANIA, 24, as the chair of Multicultural Youth Northern Territory aims to promote and foster the importance of multiculturalism, diversity and tolerance among the Territory’s youth.

She is actively involved as a leader on a range of programs within the NT, such as the Australian immigrant Refugee Women’s Alliance NT, and the Darwin youth for Japanese Disaster Relief in which she aided in raising $7000 towards the fund. Nationally, Anania is also part of the Foundation for Young

Australian’s ‘2011-2012 Young Social Pioneers’ Program and internationally was invited to take part in the 23rd Australian Delegation to the 2011 Ship for World Youth Program. Anania hopes to continue being an advocate for youth issues.

KANI KENYI

KANI, now 18, has been actively volunteering with Multicultural Youth NT (MyNT) and volunteering at the Melaleuca Refugee Centre since 2002. Her aim is to connect with other young people in her community by encouraging the need for positive change, educating and raising awareness of the causes and effects of bullying amongst young people throughout Darwin and the NT. Kani has also been a key organiser in community events including Africans becoming Australians and World Refugee

Day, in which she advocated for and achieved a dedicated youth space at the 2010 Work Refugee Day event. Kani has also recognised the emerging issue of homelessness within young refugees in Darwin and advocated for this issue at a variety of events.

BRYAN DAVIES

SINCE graduating from Charles Darwin University in 2009, Bryan has established himself as a valued engineer with Aurecon. At 25, he has managed to make a positive contribution to the company and aided in advancements of operational worksheets within the organisation. During the past months since the New Zealand earthquakes, Bryan has been working with Aurecon’s NZ office, in strengthening and repair solutions for churches, houses, commercial business and industrial buildings. He is

the youngest member of Young Engineers Australia and was voted the Northern National Representative in 2009. He been one of the first reps to receive funding for the NT branch of Young Engineers Australia and participated in local fundraising efforts.

JESSIE ADAMS

AS a professional photographer and a recent graduate for the Australian National University School of Art, 25-year-old Jessie explores issues of gender, culture, identity and memory through her photography. She has exhibited in several group shows, most recently the Desire/Despire collaboration with Louise Upshall. Jessie was chosen by the Australian National School of Art to exhibit a solo body of work as part of Women’s Wellbeing Week in 2009. Through her studies at

ANUSA, Jessie recently received the Torres Scholarship for Young Australian Artists, an award granted to students for excellence and those who show the potential to be able to represent Australia as an Art Ambassador in Spain.

EMILY GRAY

EMILY believes the NT is heavily reliant on imported foods, which have a large and unsustainable carbon footprint. Working tirelessly as a volunteer in local community garden projects such as aiding in the setup of Lakeside Drive Community Garden, Emily, now 27, is hoping to change the culture. Emily is currently working at Marrara Christian College delivering two horticulture elective high school classes with the vision of setting up large permaculture gardens on site, while volunteering at

many public events and working bees at the Lakeside Community Garden. Through all her work Emily is involved in the promotion of Darwin Gardens Education Network and other permaculture initiatives.

DENNIS CHARLES

DENNIS, 22, is a community media worker specialising in radio broadcasting and a young Anmatyerr man from the Central Australian Aboriginal community of Yuelamu. He started his media career three years ago and has developed a passion for succeeding and learning about all aspects of the industry and looks to continue his studies further through on the job training as well as training courses. Dennis continues to improve both his broadcasting skills and English speaking skills allowing him to complete his current training in his third

language. Dennis’ greatest career highlight was making a recent radio documentary about Aboriginal Stockmen, where he interviewed his elders, translated it to English, edited, scripted and narrated the final program to be aired on ABC Radio National in 2012.

JOEL CARROLL

JOEL, 25, won a gold medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and Gold at the Champions Trophy as a member of the Kookaburra’s hockey team. He represented Australia on the European Tour where he aided the Kookaburra’s to win the 4 Nations event. He represented the NT Stingers at the Australian Hockey League in Rounds 1 & 2 only to be struck by injury. He recently returned to play for Australia in 3 Test matches against New Zealand, India & Pakistan. In December,

2011, Joel was selected in the Olympic squad and is on track to be part of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Although based in Perth, he returns home to Darwin, where he is very active with the local hockey community.

AVIK MASON

AT 17, Avik is the eldest of five boys and cares for two of his younger brothers Igen, 11 and Omri, 13, who both have special needs. Igen has severe autism with limited speech and Omri has delayed development. Avik cares for his brothers with enthusiasm and diligence and strives to ensure they successfully participate in daily activities and community events, while continuously trying to develop their skills. Avik is actively involved within many activities to assist with his

brothers’ care and daily living activities and is also actively involved with their mental development. Avik is working towards getting into Biomedical Engineeringupon completing his HSC and aim to enter the field of medicine.

DENNIS CHARLES

DENNIS, a 22-year-old Anmatyerr man from the Central Australian Aboriginal community of Yuelamu, started his media career three years ago as a community media worker specialising in radio broadcasting. He has inspired his community with his spoken word by hosting a regular new music show in his people’s language and produces programs about his people and culture. His daily show is the only Anmatyerr language show in the world. Dennis’ media work contributes directly to re-enforcing a strong sense

of identity among his people. He aids in recording the stories of elders so younger generations are able to understand more about their own culture. Dennis’ goal is to be appointed a board member of PAW Media within the next few years.

ALVINMARRPINDIWUYGAYKAMANGU

ALVIN, 19, is a Yolngu man who is one of the first of two young people to graduate from high school from his local community. He has become a role model for young indigenous people and is currently supporting and encouraging local students in his role as a tutor. Alvin is initiating social change within the Ramingining Community and was recently elected by his elders as a councillor for the

Gumurr Gattjirrk ward to represent East Arnhem Shire Council. Alvin was also selected as a 2012 Youth Round Table Member where he hopes to represent his people and culture at a state-wide level throughout the NT.

ANANIA TAGARO

ANANIA, has assisted in promoting the issues of asylum seekers in Darwin through many different projects and in her capacity as chair for the Multicultural Youth NT, a voluntary role in which she contributes countless hours. For her voluntary work with the Australian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Alliance NT as Chair, Anania is currently working on promoting this newfound advocacy and support group for young women who are newly-arrived and/or refugees in order to gauge appropriate partnerships with government

agencies. The Alliance encourages refugees to build networks and friendships to help them integrate into the Australian society and culture. Anania has been involved in a wide range of voluntary work placements and programs both in the Territory, nationally and overseas.

JESSICA DAVIES

SINCE completing a first-class Honours Research Degree, on the “Impact of Parkinson’s disease upon driving performance”, Jessica has been able to assist in improving road safety for all Australians. Throughout the program, her results raised awareness to support safe drivers with disabilities to continue driving and to reduce discrimination. Her research has since been presented at interstate and international conferences, within health professional forums and has also been published as a book chapter

within a well renowned science journal. On completing her research Degree, Jessica has become one of two graduates working at Royal Perth Hospital working in the areas of general medicine, advanced heart/lung cardiothoracic, renal, diabetes and urology.

KRISTY RICKERT

KRISTY is a passionate 25-year-old dancer who has trained both nationally and internationally to perfect and hone her art.

Completing a Bachelor of Dance at the WA Academy of Arts in 2008, Kristy has also gone on to complete full-time study throughout Sydney and the US in her chosen styles of contemporary and commercial street dance. Kristy has combined her passion for teaching by launching her own dance studio Rix Kix Arts in Darwin. Since opening Rix Kix Arts,

she has chosen and coached the dance studio’s troop dancers which are currently the NT Dance team of the Year.

Kristy is involved in a number of dance programs at various NT Schools.

RAINE PUGH

RAINE has been involved with environmental conservation since a young age, growing up on her family’s crocodile farm 230kms west of Katherine. The 24-year-old has been involved in environmental commitment including weed management, wildfire control, managing wild crocodile numbers, training indigenous local’s crocodile farming techniques, feral animal eradication and assisting in research and preservation of rare Fairy Wrens. Raine aids in preserving this endangered species by teaching her local farming community of the need

to preserve the Fairy Wrens and implement initiatives on their farms to ensure they nest and breed on their own properties. Raine trains the indigenous land owners in effective crocodile management procedures to ensure safety on their land.

STEVIE VOWLES

STEVIE the owner and operator of Little Lamb, a baby boutique. The 26-year-old operates all aspects of the business, from ordering, merchandising and personal customer service. In its first full financial year, Little Lamb made a profit and expanded to twice the size of its original operations within 18 months. Since opening, Little Lamb has more than 500 members join its loyalty club, which rewards their shoppers with a $10 loyalty card for every $200 spent in store. Little Lamb continues to grow its

reputation as one of Darwin’s premier baby boutiques. Juggling motherhood and running a business, Stevie is also engaging the “baby community” creating parent forums, and mothers groups to help link mum’s and bub’s.

ELIZABETHDUGUID

ELIZABETH is a 19-year-old hockey goalkeeper who has represented the NT in state hockey since she was 12. She has been elected captain at each level of representation. Elizabeth relocated to Perth in 2011 as an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder and represented Australia at the senior level (Hockeyroos) against France and Argentina. In November 2011, she was selected in the Australian U21 team that

competed in a 4 match series against India. Elizabeth is working towards being selected as Australia’s number one goalie for the 2016 Olympic Games, while studying towards an engineering degree.

PAIGE WILSON

PAIGE, 15, cares directly for her mother who suffers from severe chronic pain and provides both the physical and emotional support needed to make her mother comfortable.

She assists her mother with personal care, including bathing, dressing and getting out of bed, as well as administering emergency first aid when needed.

Paige for the past nine years has had the responsibility of helping out around the house including cooking, cleaning and

shopping for the rest of her family. She has started year 11 with the hope of gaining enough marks for admission into university to study a double degree in Arts and Journalism on completion of her senior years.

ZOE OWENS

AT 17, Zoe is a recent recipient of the Litchfield Council Young Citizen of the Year Award has been actively involved throughout her local community from a young age; Zoe advocates for youth in the NT, which is reflected through her membership on the 2011 Youth Ministers Round Table, which has given her the ability to give young people in regional and rural areas of the NT a voice in a public arena.

As a part of the Youth Round Table, Zoe has also conducted her own

community-based project focusing on class sizes at her local schools titled “Size Does Count”.

Zoe has also completed Certificates I and II in Rural Operations focusing on rural production and management.

LAUREN MOSS

LAUREN, a returning member for the Youth Ministers Round Table for Young Territorians in 2011, recently developed the “Skin Deep Project”, which looks at how outcomes can be improved for young Territorians in regards to body image and eating disorders. The Skin Deep Facebook page currently has more than 211 followers; she hopes by linking people to this page it will help raise awareness. Lauren also initiated a forum in collaboration with Headspace

Top End, titled ‘Happy, Healthy and Resilient: Exploring options for Young Territorians with an eating disorder’. The 24 year old hopes to continue to make a difference by identifying the major needs of young people within the Territory.

LACHLAN WAY

LACHLAN has become a well-known community volunteer in Howard Springs. Supporting himself as an apprentice electrician, the 22-year-old is a member of the Howard Springs Volunteer Fire Brigade, which he joined at the age of 16 and has since become the youngest Volunteer Crew Leader within the NT Fire and Rescue Services. Since joining the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Lachlan was deployed to Victoria to assist with the most recent fire threats and also to Alice

Springs to aid in assisting with the control of wildfires threatening Alice Springs and surrounding tourist centres. Lachlan is also part of Wildcare NT and an avid member of NT Parks and Wildlife as a contracted snake catcher.

GLEN SUMMERS

GLEN, 21, studies Electrical Engineering at the University of NSW. He has been involved in the design and construction of the University NSW solar car, for the racing team ‘Sunswift’. The team and car recently competed in the 2011 World Solar Challenge, and broke the Guinness World land speed record for a solar vehicle. Glen recently organised the team and vehicle to be taken to Kormilda College where they were able to showcase the vehicle and its technology to the year 9 science students. Recently Glen was offered an

opportunity to work in the Antarctic PLATeu Observatory, a project run through the School of Astrophysics at UNSW, which designs and builds un-manned, solar/ diesel powered research stations for remote Antarctic plateaus.

SAMANTHA YOUNG

SAMANTHA is a 26-year-old NIDA graduate, actor and director who has performed and devised her work in the dramatic arts nationally and internationally. She has performed at Belvoir Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Darwin Theatre Company and The Royal Opera House - Covent Garden London. Samantha has recently opened the Melbourne Festival with her cabaret act 'The Love Birds', and in 2012 will be touring the show 'The Love Birds' internationally and headlining

at the “Spegieltent” at the Adelaide Festival. Samantha’s involvement with local youth has led her to her involvement in Corrugated Youth Arts, becoming a JUMP Mentee, and recently a co-director in 2011 with Matthew Lutton.

SARAH SEPPINGS

SARAH’S love of animals has led her passion into a career where she is now studying to be a park ranger at the Howard Springs Nature Park. Sarah, 20, has been actively involved with community environmental consultation and surveys at public events and as a committee member she has been involved in working through issues of land management, improvement to water quality and an improved management plan for the eradication of exotic African Big Headed Ants in the

Howard Springs Nature Park. Sarah’s is an active volunteer for wildlife preservation in NT, and volunteers as a member of Wildcare. She has also been involved with the Territory Wildlife Park, completing several surveys.

SAMANTHA YOUNG

SAMANTHA, at 26, is the youngest female NIDA graduate, actor and director and has performed and devised her work in the dramatic arts, nationally and internationally. She has performed with the Sydney and Darwin theatre companies, and The Royal Opera House- Covent Garden London in which she performed in the musical “The Rose and the Ring” at 18. Sam was also the youngest actor to perform a leading role in the recent production of ‘The Business’ with the Belvoir Theatre Company. She recently opened

the Melbourne Festival with her cabaret 'The Love Birds' and headlined her own solo performance at the ‘The Forum’ at the Festival. In three years, Samantha has successful employed more than 30 NT artists and 15 interstate artists to develop her own works.

CLAIRE-MAREEO’BRYAN

CLAIRE-MAREE O'Bryan, 18, has been a coach, umpire and excellent ambassador for basketball. In 2010, she was awarded both the Most Valuable Player Junior and Senior in the Darwin Women's Basketball League and was selected in the Australian School Sport U19 women’s team. In 2011, she was co-captain of the gold-medal winning NT women's team at the Arafura Games. Claire-Maree has received a high honour being awarded the

Pierre De Coubertin Award by the Australian Olympic Committee. Her ambition is to play basketball professionally so she has relocated to the USA, attending The Hill School in Pennsylvania to gain a University basketball scholarship in 2012.

JAUHARI WRIGHT

JAUHARI has cared for his father since 2008 when he was diagnosed with Huntington Chorea, a neurological disease. At 19 he is the primary career for his father, providing physical assistance in daily care activities and taking his father to medical appointments and liaising with relevant care providers; all of which needs to be done within a strict schedule. Due to Jauhari's father’s illness, routine must be regimented as a means of maintaining comfort and support. In addition to caring

for his dad, Jauhari also has recently had to provide care for his mother due to a recent injury. Jauhari has started a double degree in Arts and Law at Charles Darwin University, and rearranges study times to facilitate the care of his father.

RAINE PUGH

RAINE has worked on many stations in and around the NT as a stud groom, contracted musterer, as a jillaroo and governess. Her passion for supporting those in regional and rural areas of the NT has led her to study a diploma in Equine Tactile Therapy as well as a Certificate IV in beef production. Through her studies, the 24-year-old has been able to conduct research in beef production, with a strong focus on pregnancy testing and artificial insemination in

cattle and horses. Raine is currently working on Kidman Springs Station, 400km west of Katherine. Her work aides the rural sector by trialling different agricultural activities and determining their value for further application in the industry.