Unanimous decision on City of Kwinana’s young person of year

This year’s young person of the year in the City of Kwinana has been described as a fine example of leadership. The assessment panel for the city’s LYRiK Awards unanimously selected Belle Cardew as Young Person of the Year from six nominations. She was one of 39 young people who were presented with awards on Tuesday, June 20. Belle has been a member of her school council for two years and is also on her school basketball team, the Kwinana Youth Advisory Council and the Wellard Village People Town Team. She also contributed to a monthly Gift and Take market during summer in Wellard, helped organise a Clean Up Australia Day event, and was a key player in the recent Wellard 7 Day Makeover project, clocking up 72 volunteering hours. Mayor Carol Adams said Belle exemplified leadership and respect as a young person in Kwinana through both her character and her actions. “People have said they find Belle’s ability to bring people together inspiring; she is a natural leader who is able to motivate others to get involved in community projects,” she said. The LYRiK Awards — which stands for leadership, youth and respect in Kwinana — have been held since 2006. Categories were changed in this year’s awards to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Tsharntai Baker and the Gilmore Green Robotics Club received the achievement in career or education progression award. The community inspiration award went to the Kwinana youth advisory council, Riley Leaker and Takunda Bere. Ryan Rawlinson, Stephanie Beaumont and Jason Gonsalves won the leadership award, while the social justice advocate award was presented to the service learning group at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School. The achievement in sport and recreation award went to Harry Gordon, Kaytee Bogaers and Allayna Engel, and the personal development award was received by Kye Ryan. There were also presentations to the participants and mentors in the LYRiK scholarships program, which was introduced this year.