The awards were also attended by VFBV state councillor Mark Dryden, Executive Manager of Organisation Development Kerrie Robertson and Volunteer Diversity Programs’ Sherri McKerley who presented the awards on behalf of CFA.
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards began in 2012 with the purpose to acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of all young people up to and including 29 years of age. The awards showcase the achievements of young Victorians, and pay tribute to their vision, innovation and commitment to contributing to their community.
CFA is one of the 9 category sponsors of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards sponsoring the CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award.
CFA’s Young Volunteer Excellence Award aims to acknowledge young volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution and had a positive impact on the lives of others and their community.
This Award is open to all Victorians aged 12-29 and covers all aspects of volunteering including youth at risk, the homeless and disadvantaged, emergency services, health, aged care and not for profits.
Nominees are young volunteers who, through exceptional leadership and support to others, demonstrate innovative ways to achieve excellence beyond what is expected of them.
The winners of each category are selected by a panel of over 30 business executives, expert judges and sponsors from across Victoria and receive $1000. The overall winner receives $2000 and is awarded the title of Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, with all gaining significant recognition and further opportunity to support their outstanding work.
This year the CFA Volunteer Excellence Award, was won by Alphonse Mulashe 18 of Norlane. Alphonse who arrived in Australia in 2010 as a refugee from the Congo won the Award from a strong field of nominees which included 2 CFA volunteers, Wyatt Kilgower from Port Albert who was the runner up for the award and from Nicholas Watt from Narbethong who was selected as a nominee.
Other runners up included Jake Nankervis 17 of Grovedale and Dr Nahkita Wolfe 25 of Abbotsford.
The overall winner and Young Victorian Achiever of the year for 2017 went to 24 year old Laura Pintur who founded a program called “What’s normal” a program to engage and educate young people about the issues related to pornography and how it impacts our society. She currently runs programs in schools across Victoria.
Being part of this award gives CFA the opportunity to promote CFA to a diverse group of young people and promote the opportunities of the Young Achiever Award to our members whilst being part of celebrating the tremendous work that all young volunteers do to build a strong, safe and resilient Victoria.
Further information on the award and details of the winners can be found at www.facebook.com/VICAYAA
Information on how to apply for the 2018 Victorian Young Volunteer Award will be available later in the year.