Commissioner's Participate Award 2022

Congratulations to Fatoumata Toure of Balga who is the recipient of the Commissioner's 2022 Participate Award

Fatoumata was born in 2007 in a Guinean refugee camp. Her family arrived in Australia in 2010, and whilst in primary school, she became an accomplished athlete.

In 2015, she joined the Edmund Rice Lions, a football team that aims to bring culturally diverse young people into the sport. She quickly became a star player, winning numerous Fairest and Best awards, and became an accredited umpire at just 11.

Beyond her personal sporting achievements, Fatoumata is committed to her local community, dedicating more than 1,500 volunteer hours to supporting her peers through organising community sporting events and mentoring upcoming umpires. She also serves as a role model to her peers through media appearances and the guidance she offers young people in her community.

DeeJae Stream, Marble Bar - Highly commended recipient

DeeJae Stream is a strong Palyku woman living in the Pilbara town of Marble Bar.

DeeJae inspires and educates her peers through art, education and sport, but it’s her participation in the school’s culturally responsive STEM program that sets her apart. Students created a digital Aboriginal Seasonal Calendar using virtual reality technology.

DeeJae became one of the school’s most proficient users and is the voice for the project. She was heavily involved in the development of the VR gallery, where 2D Aboriginal canvases of Australian animals are transformed into 3D VR paintings. She recently ran a virtual walkthrough of the gallery to 663 virtual visitors including 80 schools.

Greta Lynch, Subiaco

Greta has a passion for service and social justice. Her advocacy centres on conservation, climate action and elevating the voices of young people.

She’s been involved with the Subi Kids’ Crew and Subi Voice for Youth for almost 10 years, and more recently has volunteered for the Save the Bilby Fund, the Dolphin Project, the Charity Netball Cup, World Vision, and the Western Swamp Tortoise Release.

In 2021, she ran 20km and swam 12km to raise over $1,000 for charity through the Starlight Super Charity Swim and HBF Run for a Reason. In the last two years, she has spent her free time running free voluntary tutoring programs for struggling students in Years 9 and 10 who may not be able to afford a tutor but need extra academic support.

Her contribution to community continues next year in her role as Academic Captain of Iona Presentation College.

Kohbi Barrow, Port Hedland

At just 12 years old, Kohbi demonstrates exceptional leadership, wisdom and inspirational power. He stands strong against bullying and is an advocate for mental health.

Kohbi created and continues to manage the Coffee Lid Project, which has raised thousands of dollars for Dolly's Dream, a project committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide.

Earlier this year he was named Port Hedland’s Young Citizen of the Year at the town’s Australia Day Awards, and received a $1,500 Edstart grant to support the development of his anti-bullying podcast, Kindness and Thanks.