- Eleven inspiring young people and organisations recognised at the 2025 WA Youth Awards
- Winners selected from over 130 nominations across 10 categories
- Maddison Thomas named the 2025 WA Young Person of the Year
The 2025 WA Youth Awards have celebrated the incredible contributions and achievements of Western Australia's young people and youth organisations, with 11 receiving awards at a gala celebration last night.
This year's winners were recognised for their passion in a range of areas, including amplifying underrepresented voices, supporting young people in need, elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, advocating for invisible disabilities, preserving endangered language, and empowering others through youth-led movements.
The 2025 Young Person of the Year was awarded to Maddison Thomas for her resilience, empathy and determination to inspire others.
As a carer for her mother, who experiences mental and physical health challenges, Maddison has faced and overcome many significant obstacles.
Maddison's advocacy and engagement with health and housing services ensured access to these necessary services.
Having successfully completed Year 12, she is now undertaking tertiary studies to become a secondary school English teacher and strives to use her resilience, empathy, and determination to be a positive role model.
The category winners for the 2025 WA Youth Awards include:
- Minister for Youth's Most Outstanding Youth Worker Award: Jaydan Ahmat
- Commissioner for Children and Young People Participate Award: Sofia Ballerini
- MercyCare Positive Achievement Award: Rhiannon Clarke
- ECU Community Leadership Award: Rachael Burns
- Anglicare WA Creative Contribution Award: Rhea Dowden
- The Y WA Collective Action Award: The Y WA Youth Parliament
- Youth Focus Sector Collaboration Award: Equestrian Youth Engagement Service
- Mission Australia Young Changemaker Award: Wil Massara
- Carers WA Milestone Award: Maddison Thomas
- Charmaine Dragun Memorial Award: Millie Kolomyjec
All category winners receive a $1,000 prize, with the WA Young Person of the Year receiving $10,000 to pursue youth related initiatives or activities across WA.
Now in its 26th year, the WA Youth Awards have been delivered in partnership between the WA Government, the Department of Communities and the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, with Lotterywest support.
This year's sponsors also included The Y WA, Mission Australia, Edith Cowan University, the Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia, MercyCare, Carers WA, Youth Focus and the Australian Childhood Foundation.
As stated by Youth Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The WA Youth Awards shine a light on some of the incredible achievements and contributions of Western Australia's inspirational young people.
"On behalf of the Cook Labor Government I extend a big congratulations to the 132 nominees and 11 winners of the 2025 WA Youth Awards.
"From young entrepreneurs and founders to passionate advocates and community champions, these young people are making a real difference to our communities."
