Young People

Mayor & Young People

Young person skateboarding

In 2006, there were 91,449 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 living on the Gold Coast. In 2010, it is estimated that 95,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 were residing in Gold Coast City, representing nearly 19 per cent of the total population.

Young people make an invaluable contribution to the city.

Youth Achievement Awards

The biennial Gold Coast City Council Youth Achievement Awards provides the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of our city's young people. Youth Achievement awards are proudly hosted by Junior Council members, who plan and stage the awards ceremony event. The next Gold Coast City Council Youth Achievement Awards will be held in 2012. Nominations entry forms will be available from mid August 2012.

The 2010 Youth Achievement Award Recipients

Nomination are now closed for the Youth Achievement Awards 2010.

To see photos from the award ceremony please visit the gallery page below.

Award Ceremony Photo Gallery

Youth Achievement Awards 2010 recipients include individuals and groups category.

Individuals awards

Michael McCartney
Michael is a highly reputed young musician who volunteers his time as musical mentor to young people for the Palm Beach Youth Music Venture.
Daniel Busch
Daniel was selected from across the State for a position on the environmental council, providing advice to the QLD government through the Minister for sustainability climate change and innovation on key environmental issues.
Aimee Massie
After years of dedication developing her skills in the male dominated sport of skate boarding, Aimee has won a number of skating competitions. She recently shared her experience at a local government youth conference held on the Gold Coast.
Bridget Krauss
Bridget has been an inspirational young person juggling the art of being a mother and raising her child whilst successfully completing Years 11 and 12 through TAFE. She is about to commence a Journalism course.
Caitlin Profitt
Caitlin was the winner of the 2010 International Woman's Day Youth Leadership Award and is the National Youth Forum Student Ambassador, endorsed by Rotary.
Jaye Kang
A talented year 11 student who was advanced into Year 12 level Japanese, Jaye received first place in the fiercely competitive Year 12 division of MLTAQ Griffith University Speech competition and is now heading to Sydney to represent Queensland at a national level.
Matthew Westgarth
Matthew recently organised and operated the Multiple Sclerosis Readathon involving four schools within the northern region of the Gold Coast. Matthew has read hundreds of books to help raise funds for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Kathleen Rule
Katie is an outstanding Junior leader with the Labrador Girl Guides, where she volunteers on a weekly basis passing on her enthusiasm, experience and skills to younger guides.
Luke Addati
Luke has been recognised from his care and commitment to others. Dedicating time to support his brother, who is a wheelchair user. They are enjoying studying Italian together.
Jamie Beckett
Jamie has overcome challenges in her life, recently completing the SCISCO learning program and winning a scholarship to study at a private design college.
Christopher Rane
Christopher's dedication and commitment to hard work has led him to reach sporting excellence, having been selected to represent Australia in the 2011 Special Olympics as a soccer player.
Yu Koyama
Yu has volunteered for over six years in community activities showcasing his origami techniques at Japanese Cultural Display workshops for schools and other organisations.
Jet Thomas
After participating in a visual arts workshop at Thrower House, a youth and community facility in Palm Beach. Jet created a sculptural work which was exhibited in the popular Swell Sculpture Festival at Currumbin.
Jeremy Brooks
Jeremy has demonstrated outstanding language development having participated in the GC MLTAQ language competition and the GU Language excellence award.

Group Awards

Taylor Curry and Tyler Blah
Dancers Tyler and Taylor, aged 16 and 15 respectively, won the Youth 10 Dance South Pacific Championships and will now represent Australia in the 2011 World 10 Dance Championships in Moldova, Russia. Together as a dance couple they are undefeated in Australia and New Zealand in ballroom dancing and are number one in Australia and New Zealand in Latin American Dancing.
Gold Coast Youth Service - Youth Accommodation Program (James Leach, Paris Love, Janika Berg, Susan Loomes, Hannah Walker)
This group has overcome great personal challenges in their lives and worked extremely hard to maintain participation in school, university and the workforce. They are continuing their journey as valued young people in the community.
Hogan's Heroes Kokoda Challenge Group (Jack Sinclair, Harry Sinclair, Ryan Ferrier, Nathan Winning)
Hogan's Heroes has participated in the Kokoda Challenge on the Gold Coast for the past three years and this year, after solid training and commitment, they broke their school record and won the 96km challenge.

Please contact Social Planning and Development - Youth for further information by phone (07) 5581 6691 or email youth@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

Enquiries