Young Achiever of the Year

Nominations for the 2026 Young Achiever of the Year Award have now closed.

Kangaroo Island Council is committed to developing our young people and future leaders.

This Award recognises the achievements of local youth across a wide range of areas including:

Community work
Sport
Education
Science
Culture
The arts
The environment

Eligibility

Nominees must be aged 12 to 25 as of 27 July 2026
Must be a resident of Kangaroo Island
Groups are eligible, with all members acknowledged
Council Members and staff are not eligible for achievements related to their Council duties; however, their other contributions can still be recognised

Selection Criteria

The Award considers individuals who demonstrate:

Leadership and initiative
Dedication and community involvement
Significant personal achievement

All nominations are assessed confidentially, with one overall recipient selected. The judging panel may also award a High Commendation to other outstanding candidates.

Nomination Process

Submit your nomination:
- In person or by post:
  Marked 'Private and Confidential'
  Ms Elizabeth Trethewey, Community Development Advisor
  Kangaroo Island Council
  PO Box 121, Kingscote SA 5223
- By email: kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.au

Announcement

Award recipients are publicly recognised at the annual Settlement Day Ceremony, with media announcements and local acknowledgment.

All personal information submitted remains confidential. Only the winner’s name and achievements will be shared publicly to celebrate their success with the wider community.

Past recipients of the Young Achiever of the Year Awards (presented - Settlement Day)

2025 Jack Kay - high commendation Ava Mills
2024 Joint Winners - Ruby Lashmar and James Mitchell
2023 Shannon Davis
2022 Opriss Osborne
2021 Joint Winners - Olivia Weatherspoon and Chloe Pitman
2020 Julia Haselgrove Young Achiever of the Year Special Bushfire commendation award Jade Hinton
2019 Ryan Turner Young Achiever of the Year
Outstanding Commitment to Leadership and the Community Joshua Keenan
Outstanding Achievement - Academic, Sporting and Community Services Tarryn Putland
2018 Holly Mueke Young Achiever of the Year
Outstanding Achievement in Community Service, Individual - Jai Turner
Outstanding Achievement in Community Service, Group - The Gymastics Beginner Coaches
2017 Matilda Southgate Young Achiever of the Year
Outstanding Achievement in Community Contribution - Brock Niemann
Outstanding Achievement in Sport - Damon Freitag
Acknowledgement of Community Service - The Breakfast Club, Kingscote
2016 Georgie Horjus (Outstanding Achievement in Sport)
2015 James Snowball (Outstanding Academic Achievement), Seth Whale (Outstanding Youth Leadership)
2014 Georgina Jefford (Outstanding Community Service), Rachel Church (Outstanding Sporting Achievement), Jayden Freitag - Young Entrepreneur and KI Youth Parliament Team 2014 - Community Youth Team (Mikayla West, Connor Hall, Aidan Hamilton, Alejandro Bohorquez and Jorrelie Avila-Letton)
2013 Joint Winners Erin Morrison and Mikayla West and Group Winner Rock Eisteddfod Student Committee
2012 Harley Dunstan and Justice Allison
2011 Stephanie Richter and Sophie Lewis
2010 Ruby Byass
2009 Kate Buck
Outstanding Community Service Award (Program) - KICE Sailing Team
Outstanding Community Service Award (Individual) - Hannah Stephenson
2008 Jenny Behenna
Outstanding Community Service Award (Program) - KI Dolphin Watch
Outstanding Community Service Award (Individual) - Daniel Willson
2007 Tim Buck
2006 Peter Tremaine
2005 Maxine Breeding
2004 Melissa Turner
2003 Kingscote Area School Prize Winning Pie-making Team
2002 Jasmin Lade
2002 Outstanding Personal Achievement Award - Jenna Duffy
2001 Bradley Jamieson
1997 Brendon Lade

Island Information