The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Young Achievers Program received a boost in funding just ahead of 2026 SA Youth Week.
The Young Achievers Program celebrates the achievements of young people in sport, academia, art, culture and leadership.
At its meeting held on 7 April 2026, the Council resolved to increase funding for the program from $7,000 per annum to $10,000, to enable more local young people to access small grants.
The program supports young people aged 10–18 who live in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters to represent South Australia in national or international competitions or events, or participate in an approved development program.
Since the Young Achievers Program started in December 2024, more than $100,000 has been disbursed to more than 300 young people living in the Council area.
Mayor Robert Bria, who proposed the increase, says the extra funding means the Council, "Can now help more local young people live their dreams".
"It may only be a grant of few hundred dollars but in some cases it's the difference between a young person being able to participate in an event or program or missing out on the opportunity altogether."
"This is a small investment with a big impact of the lives of our future leaders," Mayor Bria adds.
One of the many beneficiaries of the Young Achievers Program is Ben Holliday.
At age six, Ben started driving karts, by age seven he was racing in competitions and by the time he turned eight he came second in his first national championship.
After nearly ten years of driving karts, Ben, now 18, graduated to cars, participating in his first car race at just 16.
Along the way he has received a Young Achievers Grant from the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters on three occasions, which has helped to meet the costs of racing here in South Australia and further afield.
"Building a career in motorsport comes at a significant financial cost — it's an expensive sport to be involved in," says Ben, of St Peters.
"Every dollar makes a difference and the Young Achiever grants from the Council have helped me to continue developing and setting new goals as a sportsperson."
Also a first year mechanical engineering student, Ben says the support he has received through the Council's Young Achievers Program is humbling.
"It's nice knowing that I'm being supported by the community I live in. This support helps me fund a range of competition costs from entry fees and travel through to fuel and tyres.
"I'm grateful for the support of the Council and my community and recognise that its been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals."
