Young role model makes finals in NT Young Achiever Awards

Philamena McKenzie has been announced as a finalist in the 2017 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.

Maningrida’s very own Philamena McKenzie (pictured) has been announced as a finalist in the 2017 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
Nominated for the Glencore McArthur River Mining Regional and Rural Initiative Award, Philamena is an inspiring role model within the Maningrida community who has made an incredible impact during her time at GREATS Youth Service.
Philamena said she is very proud to be nominated, let alone make it to the final round.
“It’s great to be recognised for the hard work you do,” she said.
“All the work I do is for my community, for my people, for the young people. I hope I can inspire others to do what they are passionate about!”
Passionate about supporting the youth in her community, Philamena works alongside other staff at GYS to deliver programs to support the health, education, wellbeing, and emerging leadership skills and potential of young remote Indigenous youth.
When the youth at GYS needed a voice to determine their goals and needs, Philamena established the Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) to develop the termly programs, holiday programs and led fundraising initiatives in order to fund projects and special programs.
Taking on multiple roles to achieve the goals the emerging young leaders have set, Philamena is an all round incredible woman, daughter, sister, relative and friend to all.
Many of the youth who sit on the YLC have now been accepted to some of Australia's most prestigious boarding schools on scholarships. They, like Philamena, want to experience the mainstream education system so that they to can return to Maningrida to be the next generation of leaders.
In order to broaden her knowledge and experience, Philamena also participated in a three month volunteer program at an orphanage in Fiji to gain an understanding of another community.
Codie Gibson and Noeletta McKenzie were also announced as semi finalists of the awards.
Winners will be announced at an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner in Darwin on Saturday, April 1.