Young Western Australians from a care background have today been recognised for their dedication to ongoing education and training at the annual Achievers Awards.
Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk congratulated the 46 recipients for their hard work and determination in pursuing their career goals.
The annual Achiever Awards celebrate young Western Australians aged 15-25 years who have been in the care of the Department of Communities and are continuing with further education and training.
The award recipients were recognised across three main award categories and receive a prize of up to $4,000 to undertake further training or education courses.
The three award categories are:
- University Achiever Award for a young person who has successfully completed Year 12 and is enrolled in their first year at university. Prize: $4,000 and a trophy.
- Registered Training Achiever Award for a young person who has left secondary school and is in their first year of a State Training Provider course. Prize: $1,000 and a trophy.
- Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award for a young person who is in their first year of an apprenticeship or traineeship. Prize: $1,000 and a trophy.
The Community Spirit Award is an additional award for an Achiever Award recipient who has also demonstrated leadership and a significant contribution to their community. The winner receives $1,000 and a trophy.
This year, the STEMbassador Scholarship will also be launched. This scholarship is a partnership between the Department of Communities and Graduate Women WA to honour a female Achiever Award winner for pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. This winner will receive an additional $2,000 towards her studies.
The Rise Up Regional Award will be open to all 2019 regional winners. This award will assist one regional Achiever Award winner to develop a strategy, activity or solution to benefit young people in their community.
The Achiever Awards are supported by Curtin University, Murdoch University, the Foster Care Association of Western Australia, Graduate Women WA, Edith Cowan University, The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle), CCI Apprenticeship Support Australia, RTRfm 92.1 and the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.
More information about the Achiever Awards is available at
As noted by Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk:
“I would like to congratulate today’s award winners on their inspirational commitment to tertiary education and training, despite any obstacles they may have faced in their young lives.
“The dedication and hard work they have displayed will make a big difference to the career opportunities that lie ahead for them and I applaud them for their efforts.
“I would also like to thank the families, foster carers, friends and other people who have supported these incredible young people in their aspirations and who have provided a loving and safe environment for them to pursue their ambitions.”
