They might be young, but what they lack in age they make up for in determination and selflessness.
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Friday’s Red Carpet Youth Awards shone a spotlight on 30 finalists who achieve and volunteer behind the scenes.
Olivier Ndayisaba, 17, won the Endurance and Persistence Award for his attitude to school and Murray United after moving from the Republic of Congo to Kenya.
In term one 2017, Olivier suffered a life threatening bleed on the brain after intervening in a fight between two students at a Border school.
Despite his injury, Olivier doesn’t regret his actions.
“I don’t like letting violence happen – I like to help if I can,” he said. “I saw the student being punched up at school so I went to help.”
Like Olivier, Jayden Murphy has endured much in his 17 years.
Jayden became a full time carer at 16 to his father who has post traumatic stress disorder and arthritis.
A few months later his mother died suddenly.
Jayden received the Young Carer Award.
Before the event, Jayden said although he shouldered more responsibility than others, it wasn’t a burden.
“It helps Dad and he needs that,” he told the Border Mail ahead of the awards.
“It becomes normal – every now and again I look back and wish I’d done this or that but you don’t take notice after a while.”
Sheldon Smith, 18, was awarded the Individual Community Service Award for his work with Scouts, Interchange and Thurgoona Community Centre among other organisations.
Interchange’s Brooke Boede said Sheldon had contributed to many groups.
“I think a really large motivation for Sheldon is that he himself can face boundaries with his dyspraxia,” she said.
Sheldon said he was just doing what he could.
“It’s just what I love to do it,” he said.
“It’s just about helping each other and giving back, there’s a sense of pride that it gives you.”
Liam Mackay, 20, won the Advocacy and Action Award for organising the inaugural Albury Wodonga Football Association Mental Health Round, with the next round on August 6.
“For some reason when someone feels sad, upset or mentally unwell there seems to be a stigma,” he said.
Matt Shipard won the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Award for demonstrating incredible commitment and an exceptional work ethic.
It was third time lucky for 2015 and 2016 youth award nominee Maddie Anderson who won the Visual Arts and Media award for her passion and work in photography and other artistic mediums.
Ben Warhurt, 16, was recognized with the Sport and Recreation Volunteer award for his long-term contributions to the Wodonga Hockey Club.
For Caitlin Brice, 18, being an actor has been a dream since she was two years old and performed as squirt in a local production of Finding Nemo.
Her talent and dedication won her the Music and Performing Arts award.
Mt Beauty’s Emily Cariss travels more than an hour to Wodonga, not just for education but for the countless volunteer activities, from Interchange to leading youth masses.
Emily was named the 2017 Youth Ambassador.