The award recognises the Ballajura Youth Outreach Project's place-based approach to improving youth wellbeing, safety and connection, while empowering young people to have a meaningful role in shaping their community.
The project has delivered hundreds of engagements with young people across schools, parks, the library, youth spaces and community events, while the Ballajura Youth Committee has provided young people with opportunities to co-design programs, develop resources, lead events and influence decisions that affect their peers.
The project has also contributed to a 94 per cent reduction in antisocial behaviour at the Ballajura Hub, demonstrating the value of early intervention, consistent Outreach and strong partnerships.
City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said the award recognised the collective effort behind the project.
'This award is a wonderful recognition of what can be achieved when local government, community organisations, schools, service providers and young people work together towards a shared goal,' she said.
'The Ballajura Youth Outreach Project has shown us the value of meeting young people where they are, building trust and giving them genuine opportunities to have their voices heard.
'The Ballajura Youth Committee has been particularly important in ensuring young people are not simply participants in a program, but active contributors and decision-makers in their community.'
Mayor Richardson acknowledged Kids First Australia and the many community partners who have contributed to the project, including Ballajura Library, Ballajura Youth Committee, local Community College, community organisations, WA Police and local service providers.
'The success of this project is a reflection of the strength of those partnerships and the willingness of organisations to work together to achieve better outcomes for young people,' Mayor Richardson said.
'Most importantly, we thank the young people of Ballajura who have shared their ideas, challenged us and helped shape the work. Their contribution has been invaluable.'
The recognition comes as the City of Swan continues to expand its Youth Outreach work.
The City's Youth Development team and Kids First Australia will build on the success of the Ballajura Youth Outreach Project, while the Youth Outreach Program (YOP) expands City-wide following a second successful grant from the Department of Justice.
The expanded program will strengthen the City's capacity to engage with young people in their communities, build connections with local services and provide pathways to support, leadership and participation.
Mayor Richardson said the continued investment in Youth Outreach reflected the City's commitment to working collaboratively with young people and the wider community.
'Receiving this award is a significant achievement, but it is also an opportunity to build on what we have learned,' Mayor Richardson said.
'We are proud to build on the work achieved in Ballajura and extend Youth Outreach across the City, continuing to listen to young people, strengthen partnerships and support positive outcomes for our communities.'
The Youth Awards were held on Friday, September 11, at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth, in partnership with the WA Government, Department of Communities and Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA), with support from Lotterywest.
Finalists were recognised across 10 categories, with each category winner receiving an award and a $1,000 prize on the night. The awards attracted more than 180 nominations, highlighting the outstanding contributions and achievements of young people and youth sector workers across Western Australia.
