In brief:

• The 2024 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recipients have been announced.
• The Awards celebrate Canberrans aged 12 to 25 who have made a significant contribution to the community.
• There are seven categories in this year’s Awards.

A young African-Australian community leader has won the 2024 Young Canberran Citizen of the Year Award.

Ms Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi is an Executive Youth Leader at the African Australian Council ACT. She uses her lived experience to be a role model for young people.

In 2019, Ms Rabi emigrated from South Sudan, aged 15. She had lost both her parents at a young age.

Today she encourages celebrating African culture in Canberra. She promotes social cohesion and engagement in the broader community.

Her advocacy promotes inclusivity. It also fosters a greater understanding of the experiences and contributions of African Australians.

Winners and commendations

The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate Canberrans aged 12 to 25 who have made a significant contribution to the ACT community.

The awards celebrate young people for achievements in fields such as sport, education, science, culture, the arts and the environment.

There were seven categories in this year’s Awards.

Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award

Winner: Ms Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi
Ms Rabi is an Executive Youth Leader at the African Australian Council ACT. She is a powerful advocate for African-Australian youth. She celebrates African culture and promotes social cohesion, helping to reduce isolation and the impact of racial abuse, while encouraging broader community engagement.

Commendation: Ms Tahalianna Mahanga

Young Achiever Award

Winner: Mr Seth Burr
Seth Burr is a Leadership group member at his school. He is also a mentor for younger students and a member of ACT Scouts. He participates in ANZAC Day marches, Gang Shows, peer monitoring, school musicals and fundraising events. 

Commendation: Ms Emma Booth

Personal Achievement Award

Winner: Miss Jasmine Eldridge
Jasmine Eldridge, a single mother, has overcome many personal challenges. She has gained a diploma in Educational Studies. Through lived experience she advocates for young people with disabilities.

Commendation: Ms Jemma Rule

Individual Community Service Award 

Winner: Mx Madison (Casey) Barancewicz
Mx Barancewicz is actively involved in Youth Advocacy Groups, projects. These include the ACT Youth Advisory Council, Disability Youth Reference Group, Unruly Girls Youth Ethics Advisory Group, Member and The ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance, the Youth Mental Health Youth Reference Group (YRG). 

Commendation: Miss Sonali Varma

Environment and Sustainability Award

Winner: Ms Anjali SharmaMs Sharma is a climate activist. She introduced a Bill with Senator David Pocock, called the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Equity) Bill. She did this to compel the Federal Government to take the health of young people into consideration when approving developments that may release greenhouse gases.

Commendation: Ms Yuna Rougeaux

Commendation: Ms Neve Larsen

Arts and Multimedia Award 

Winner: Ms Tahalianna Mahanga
Ms Mahanga is a proud young Wiradjuri and Tongan woman. She performs as a solo vocalist. She is also a youth advocate, including the ACT Student Representative at the National School Reform Agreement Ministerial Reference Group. She was involved with The Mindyigari Centre for Excellence at Erindale College and the Gugan Gulwan Youth Association.

Commendation: Ms Grace Flanagan

Group Achievement Award

Winner: St Mary MacKillop CollegeThe Year 12 cohort at St Mary MacKillop College designed the 'Relay Your Way' event. This local community initiative celebrates cancer survivorship, honours those we've lost, and spurs on the fight against cancer. They raised over $75,000 for the Relay for Life this year, the highest fundraising total for Relay for Life across Australia.

Commendation: ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance Youth Reference Group

Nomination and assessment

Anyone can nominate a young person for an award. People can also self-nominate.

The nominations are assessed by representatives from the:

• ACT Youth Advisory Council
• ACT Government
• award category sponsor.

View past award winners.

Find out more about the Awards.

Read more like this:

• Introducing the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year winners
• Celebrating sporting excellence in the Territory
• Inclusion Awards recipients announced

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