Youth Awards

The Youth Awards were held on Thursday 27 November 2025.

The event celebrated and recognised the strengths, resilience, and achievements of young people aged between 10-25 in Maroondah. The night was filled with personal stories, inspiring speeches, amazing performances and recognition of individuals and groups in Maroondah. Hosted at Karralyka Centre, every young person who was nominated receives an award and is recognised on stage by the Mayor & Councillors of Maroondah.

There is no overall winner, instead we acknowledged the commitment, achievements and resilience of all nominees.

Missed the awards? View the livestream of the event below:

Youth Awards 2025 - livestream

2025 Maroondah Youth Award recipients

Leadership

These young people were honoured for their inspiring leadership within their schools and communities.

  • Bronson Aukstin
  • Ella Banful
  • Eden Bartkus
  • Landon Beard
  • Heidi Cowie
  • Anabel Floyd
  • Jasmine Freeman
  • Caitlyn Gordon
  • Kit Howard-West
  • Bailey Howell
  • EJ Jones
  • Samanvi Kowdle
  • Sarachael Kym Chhorn
  • Harriet Pich
  • Brendan Pumpa
  • Rayan Raydan
  • Raviana Zorinmawii Sailo
  • Eshita Saini
  • Miles Young

Creativity

These nominees were recognised for their creative endeavours in performance, visual art, and more.

  • Alex Bennett
  • Aoife Fegan
  • Jade Kimpton
  • Bailey Lyon
  • Lachlan Matherson
  • Bonnie Murray
  • Natasha Ransley-Raven
  • Ella Sharp
  • Kiara Thomsen
  • Hayley Tonkin
  • Elana Tran
  • Chloe Vasilovski
  • Laura Young

Crew of the Greentime short film

  • Pippa Donohue
  • Awel Giel
  • Charlotte Green
  • Oliver Johnson
  • Jack Johnston
  • Kenzie Jones
  • Charlotte Macey
  • Quinn Merrett
  • Maddison Sprague
  • Tayden Tam

Perseverance

These young people were nominated for perseverance in the face of adversity and hardship.

  • Ruby Abikhair
  • Audrey Baker
  • Nicole Brennan
  • Indi Callaghan
  • Chayce Couscouris
  • Nicholas Farfarakis
  • Macsen Gardiner-Bill
  • Jaclyn Hawkey
  • Taj Hurrell
  • Willow Metcalf
  • Stella Negri
  • Junia Paro
  • Lani Quick-Buccella
  • Koby Rodriquez
  • Kiarra Watson
  • Oriana Williams
  • Isaac Yuan

Teamwork

The following young people were recognised for their teamwork contributions, as team members and as individuals.

  • James Mann
  • Chloe Shackelford

Maroondah Youth Wellbeing Advocates

  • Cameron Beaton
  • Gabriella Conversano
  • Mayah Dass
  • Matthew Edwards
  • Flynn Kilroy
  • Lewis Konynenburg
  • Rue Simpkins
  • Junia Paro
  • Jade van Nugteren

Melba College Vocational Major Students

  • Samuel Butler
  • Bailey Cannell
  • Nash Childs
  • Maddison Christensen
  • Maddison Clarke
  • Kiri Ferres
  • Elif Guler
  • Eren Guler
  • Kate Kirwan
  • Ryan Rolfe
  • Tom Takao
  • Oriana Williams

Norwood Secondary College Wellbeing Wednesday Team

  • Sophia Allam
  • Emma Campbell
  • Sienna Lomax
  • Sarah Otten
  • Marissa Wilkie

Ringwood Ballet Group Youth Stage Crew and Teacher Helpers

  • Polly Anders
  • William Anders
  • Lilla Baker
  • Trinity Baker
  • East (Esther) Chan
  • Joyce Chan
  • Odelia Chan
  • Willow Holy
  • Sarah Hudson
  • Asha Poupos
  • Caleb Poupos
  • Scarlett Reid
  • Gabrielle Simpson
  • Zofia Slangen
  • Sienna Soutter
  • Emily Sutherland
  • Charlotte Taylor
  • Adnana Thienpont
  • Serina Thienpont
  • Cadence Valk
  • Allyrah Williams
  • Annabelle Wong
  • Levi Young

Ringwood Secondary College Volleyball Team

  • Ram ThaCeu Pa Chung
  • Victor Van Tha Cung
  • Lalnunsiama (Pate) Fanai
  • Parkin Ferguson
  • Teetut Ferguson
  • Alex Kenworthy
  • Lalsangpuia Khiangte
  • Jaiya Kutasara
  • John Ram Tha Sang
  • Khen SianDawng Sektak

Nomination categories

There are four nomination categories:

  • Leadership - an individual who has shown significant leadership qualities, positive direction, and has empowered others
  • Creativity - an individual who has shown the ability to use innovation through visual arts, performance, media or another art form
  • Perseverance - an individual who has demonstrated ongoing determination and persistence whilst overcoming challenges in their day-to-day life
  • Teamwork - a group of young people who have collaborated to provide a service, program or project that has resulted in positive, youth led-change in the local community