News

Shepparton local nominated for state award

By Djembe Archibald

Feb 15, 2024

Local-minded: Alex Newling has been nominated for the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award for his work with the Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer. Photo by Holly Curtis

Shepparton’s Alex Newling has been nominated for the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award in the 2024 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Victoria.

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Mr Newling is a young person with lived experience in the homelessness system, and during his time at the Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer he had goals and — according to his nomination form — achieved them with determination.

Alex was the first young person to buy his own home with his partner not long after finishing the foyer program.

He is now working with the foyer and supporting the young people living there, helping to build a leadership student group and increase youth involvement within the program.

The foyer has been operating since 2016 and Alex has worked there for 14 months.

The objective of the foyer is to help young people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless have a safe place to live while continuing education.

Finalists will be presented and winners announced at a gala presentation dinner on Friday, June 14.

Category winners will each receive $2000 in prizes and a trophy.

One of the category winners will be named the 2024 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year and will also receive a state trophy.

The Young Achiever Awards began in 2012, with the purpose of acknowledging, encouraging and, most importantly, promoting the positive achievements of all young people aged under 30.

The awards aim to recognise the leadership, dedication and pursuit of excellence among young people in Victoria.

For more information about the awards, email Annette@awardsaustralia.com