Just when you’re at your most cynical, the 7News Young Achiever Awards reminds you that there are people in your community doing amazing things. Young people. Depending upon how old you are, very young people. Read on to find out what these fabulous folk are doing in Queensland.
First a wee introduction to the Young Achiever Awards – there are nine categories and each category is sponsored by a Queensland organisation to celebrate and raise awareness of what young people are achieving. Because, let’s be honest, Shakespeare was right, the good is often interred with … bones. Below is a mere snapshot of the winners’ achievements.
- Amanda Martin has given over 400 pro bono hours to those in legal need, inspires Indigenous students to finish high school, and has become a role model for Indigenous lawyers – she won the Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award.
- Amber Coulton is the district manager of Aramac and Muttaburra and organises volunteers and working bees that help the communities improve their public spaces and develop local spirit with art projects etc – she won the Awards Australia Leadership Award
- Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw is a Youth Support Officer in Cunnamulla, heads the local Youth Council, and founded the Neighbourhood Centre; he changes lives of those facing homelessness, violence and abandonment. He was awarded the Queensland Family & Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award (First Nations).
- Alexa Leary earned her Sporting Achievement Whilst Overcoming Adversity Award with her overwhelming resilience – after a catastrophic cycling accident she overcame her traumatic brain injuries and went on to win two golds and one silver at the Paris Paralympic.
- Jessica Stone – informed by her personal experience, improves child safety and youth rights with her relentless advocacy for legislative change and was awarded the Queensland Family & Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award.
- Jacob Thorstensen is a neuroscientist whose research into brain stimulation and muscle control has real world implications for stroke and spinal cord injuries; he received the Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award.
- James Gillespie of Cleanbill won the University of Queensland Create Change Award for his healthcare directory that provides users with affordable local options.
- Kymberlee Clift’s Bubble ‘n’ Kick Swim School has achieved outstanding success in developing and delivering water safety education to all – regardless of age or ability and was awarded the 360 Degrees Marketing Small Business Achievement Award.
- Dominic de Moura McCarthy has been empowering and connecting people around the Pacific with initiatives such as the Youth Leadership Summits and won the Awards Australia Foundation Connecting Communities Award.
From this impressive pool, the 2025 Queensland People’s Choice Award was given to … Amanda Martin. Congratulations Amanda for finding over 400 hours a year to give back to the community – she truly is inspiring. Oh, and gives a very humble thank-you speech.
A quick shout out to the Park Royal – the food was incredible, as were the staff. Speaking of which – thanks to the female staff member who helped mend a wardrobe malfunction. Which reminds me, judges – it can’t have been easy to choose the winners from such an impressive pool.
Of course, there are many others who made the evening a true celebration – the 7News presenters, Samantha Healthwood and Tony Auden, were glamorous and funny; and the organisers – I’m looking at you Emily Whereat who was busy yet calm and Jenny Donehue who kept the info flowing – you both did a bang-up job.
One last shout out – the Welcome to Country was entertaining and moving – thank you for your song and we might have only spent a few minutes together, but you are one memorable lady.
