Commissioner's Participate Award

The Commissioner for Children and Young People Participate Award was established in 2010 and is part of the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia's Youth Awards program. 

The Award recognises exceptional young individuals aged 10-17 who actively contribute to their community and exhibit peer leadership in their chosen domain such as education, sports, student council, community invovment, work, extracurricular activities, and more.

Celebrating exceptional youth: the Commissioner’s Participate Award 2024.

These young people have shown incredible dedication to making a positive impact in their communities. Their stories remind us of the power of youth leadership and community involvement.

Winner 2024

Oliver Lim
Oliver (Ollie) has lived with lupus (a chronic health condition) since he was 18 months old. A strong advocate for disability, Ollie has raised over $100,000 for Telethon as the Little Telethon Star 2021. He supports various causes, including MSK (Musculoskeletal Australia), Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA and advocates against fundings cuts with the Youth Disability Advocacy Network. As a City of Melville Youth Advisory Committee member, he secured a grant for community inclusion workshops. Ollie has participated in several research projects with Curtin University and The University of South Australia and has been a finalist for multiple awards.

Ollie is also the WA Young Person of the Year 2024.

Congratulations also to our finalists

Victoria Hill
Victoria is a 16-year-old who is passionate about solving world problems. Aspiring to be a woman in government, Victoria is active in her school's debate team and competed with the WA State Team in Adelaide. In 2023, she represented WA on the United Nations Youth Australia Aotearoa Leadership Tour and is applying for the 2024/25 United Nations Youth Young Diplomats Tour to connect with significant opportunities and amplify youth voices. Victoria is also involved with Youth Parliament, Project Rockit, The Telstra Youth Foundation and local advisory councils, and was featured in the WA Catalyst Youth Week publication.

Laquade Dalbin
Laquade, a 12-year-old boy from South Hedland who identifies as Aboriginal, was the first participant in Now Sounds Hedland, an intercultural arts project that fosters artistic skills and combats social isolation among young people from First Nations and diverse backgrounds. Taking on leadership roles, Laquade supported peers and excelled at the project's final performance,confidently rapping his verse. Since then, he has performed at Hedland's ‘Welcome to Hedland’ event and Scribblers Festival and was invited by the Town of Port Hedland to emcee the Hedland’s Got Talent event for over 100 people.

Lily Gaulton
Lily is a 10 year old who was born prematurely and has cerebral palsy, autism, ARFID, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, and allergies. Despite challenges, Lily remains outgoing and happy. She has made significant contributions by co-designing the Move to Improve program for Perth Children's Hospital and engaging in a book review project with Children and Young People with Disability Australia. Lily was the youngest panelist on disability representation in literature and co-created a booklet to aid teachers in understanding disabilities. She's also featured in a Royal Life Saving WA swim program and is writing a book to promote disability awareness and inclusion.

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.

Visit YACWA’s website for more information about the WA Youth Awards.