Page 2928 - Week 08 - Thursday, 17 August 2017
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Throughout the year, youth InterACT scholarships are also available to provide funding of up to $500 for individuals and $1,500 for groups of young people to attend learning, sporting, personal and career development opportunities. This scholarship program was instrumental, for example, in supporting Ms Eden Lerable to progress through the Premier League and in 2017 make it into the Women’s Premier League soccer squad, representing Woden Weston.
Coming from a single parent household with a low income has often made it harder for Eden to achieve her goal of representing Australia in the sport she loves. With the assistance of the youth InterACT scholarship, Eden will be able to keep kicking goals and following her dream.
MR STEEL: Minister, what else does the ACT government do to involve, recognise and celebrate Canberra’s young people?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Steel for his supplementary question. The ACT government’s youth InterAct strategy also recognises the outstanding contributions young people add to their community through the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year awards.
The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year awards were established in 1989. The awards recognise individuals and groups of young people who have made a significant contribution through their personal endeavours or who have been actively involved in the ACT community across the following six categories: Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award; Environment and Sustainability Award; Personal Achievement Award; Individual Community Service Award; Group Achievement Award; and Arts and Multimedia Award.
In 2017, 39 applications were received for the six award categories. The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award winner was Mr Mustafa Ehsan. Mustafa arrived in Canberra in 2012 as an unaccompanied minor refugee fleeing persecution as a young Hazara person in Iran. Since arriving in Canberra, Mustafa has completed his schooling and gone on to establish and coach the Canberra Kangaroos football—that is, soccer—team. Mr Ehsan is a strong advocate for and supporter of young refugees and asylum seekers and has used football as a means to support social inclusion and cohesion. The mentorship he provides to young refugees and asylum seekers and the sense of community he inspires are testament to the values of Canberra’s migrant community.
Other award category winners in 2017 were as follows: Personal Achievement Award, Caitlin Figueiredo, whom I know colleagues have spoken about in this place before, particularly Ms Cheyne; Individual Community Service Award, Kate Barton; Group Achievement Award, Spark, the Ginninderry joint venture training and employment initiative; Arts and Multimedia Award, Lucy Sugerman; and Environment and Sustainability Award, Ryu Callaway.
Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
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