The purpose of the Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards is to acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of young Tasmanians aged between 14 and 28 years of age.

The Awards recognise the achievements of Tasmania’s youth in nine categories, which are:

Tasmania Together Community Service Award
MyState Financial Arts Award
Print Applied Technology Sports Award
Hydro Tasmania Environment Award
O Group Trade and Enterprise Achievement Award
TEMCO Science and Technology Award
Forestry Tasmania Regional Initiative Award
Fonterra Agricultural Award
The Spirit of Tasmania Award

Premier's Message

"I am very proud to take over the role of patron of the Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards because our young people are our community’s brightest resource. These awards play a vital role in identifying and paying tribute to some of our finest and most talented young people. They inspire us with confidence in their abilities and leadership skills and the contributions they make in our community will help define where Tasmania heads in the 21st Century. Young people represent Tasmania’s future and it’s important that we give them all the encouragement and support they need to make their mark. These awards give important recognition to our future community leaders and I encourage people from all walks of life to nominate and get involved." David Bartlett MP Premier of Tasmania

1. To enter the Awards program you must first nominate during the call for nomination phase. Each category has three finalists selected with the winner announced at the Awards Gala Presentation Dinner. The evening culminates when one of the nine category winners is announced as the Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year.
   
   
2. Although all nominees of the program are invited to attend the Southern Cross Awards Gala Presentation Dinner, we request that finalists make every effort to attend. All nominees and finalists are encouraged to bring along family, friends and colleagues to share this special night with them.

The winner of each of the nine categories will be presented with a magnificent trophy and a $1,000 grant from GM Holden and Motors. The ultimate winner, the Premier's Young Achiever of the Year, will receive an additional $1,000 grant from GM Holden and Motors, a trophy and a holiday for two anywhere in Australia, flying Virgin Blue and accommodation is provided by Wrest Point (conditions apply).

Three category finalists are selected for each category award.

From the three category finalists one category winner is selected as the category award winner.

From the nine category winners one is selected as the overall state winner, the Premier's Young Achiever of the Year for Tasmania.

Judging will take place on Thursday 25th February 2010.

The judging panel will include representatives from award sponsors, community leaders and independent expert judges for each category.

The decisions of the judging panel are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

The finalists and winners of the Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards will be announced and presented at a special Gala Awards Presentation Dinner on Saturday 17th April 2010.

The Presentation Dinner will be a formal event attended by approximately 350 people.

Supported by:

Categories open for nomination
	Tasmania Together Community Service Award When hard times hit or disaster strikes, our selfless young men and women often make the difference by giving their guidance, encouragement and much needed support. Volunteers spend their time offering friendship, hope and inspiration to the disadvantaged and those who need it most. The Tasmania Together Community Service Award applauds our unsung heroes, acknowledging those young people who are passionate in putting the needs of others first.
	MyState Financial Arts Award The spirit of creativity exhibited by Tasmania's talented young artists helps us all to think creatively and express ourselves with emotion. In our multicultural society, a commitment to personal development in the arts is emerging, especially among today's youth. The MyState Financial Arts Award celebrates their brilliant artistic achievements and recognises the incredible imagination, initiative and flair required to produce such inspirational work.
	Print Applied Technology Sports Award Today's young athletes are tomorrow's sporting heroes. They're dedicated young Tasmanians with a strong spirit of competition and love of the game. Encouraging and supporting the ambition and hard work of these focused individuals, helps them to go further, faster, longer and higher than anyone before. Whether it's competing, coaching, administration or education, the Print Applied Technology Sports Award seeks to applaud their talents and recognise their commitment in the pursuit of excellence.
	Hydro Tasmania Environment Award Pollution, climate changes and salinity affect us all. While many of us try to make a difference, it’s Australia’s young people who are actively using their initiative to create a better and more sustainable environment. By developing programs, through education and using new technology it’s these dedicated young individuals who are helping to educate us all. The Hydro Tasmania Environment Award salutes those who are dedicated to saving planet Earth by nurturing and protecting our natural surroundings.
	O Group Trade and Enterpriser Achievement Award Increasingly, the Tasmanian community is prospering from the flow-on economic benefits of inspiring young Tasmanians. Tasmania’s future rests with our young innovators. It is their ideas and how they develop a passion for the State that will make a difference. These young Tasmanians are entering their trade, career or enterprise with passion and vitality. Whether it is climbing the corporate ladder, progressing from apprentice to workshop manager, or starting their own business employing fellow young Tasmanians, our young people are “having a go” in Tasmania. The O Group Career & Enterprise Achievement Award recognises active leadership and a desire for self-improvement, and rewards a young Tasmanian who has made their own opportunities for success.
	TEMCO Science and Technology Award Our Science and Technology know how is accelerating at an astounding rate. Young Tasmanian scientists make incredible new discoveries for a more prosperous future. Young scientists and engineers are proving to be at the forefront of their fields and hold the key to our future development and way of life. The TEMCO Science and Technology Award honours the people behind these intelligent and visionary achievements.
	Forestry Tasmania Regional Initiative Award Regional Tasmania is constantly growing and changing. Young regional Tasmanians are making a significant contribution to their local communities through leadership, achievement and sustainability in primary industries, manufacturing, tourism and employment. They’re helping to ensure sustainability and promote positive images of regional Tasmania. The Forestry Tasmania Regional Initiative Award acknowledges and rewards those young regional Tasmanians who are actively involved in positive outcomes for the broader community, helping to reshape and inspire their region.
	Fonterra Agricultural Award The Fonterra Agricultural Award recognises and applauds high achievers who contribute to the quality and sustainability of the Tasmanian agricultural sector. The winner will be a young person involved in any stage of the agricultural value chain in Tasmania including primary production, marketing and trading, and research and development, in the areas of dairy, livestock, grain, horticulture or any other agriculture-based industry. Agriculture is the backbone of Tasmania’s regional and rural communities. As such, we encourage young innovators who are passionate about providing the world with quality food, clothing and shelter to nominate.
	The Spirit of Tasmania Award To promote Tasmania and show pride in our state through an impressive display in business, community or social behaviour epitomises the Spirit of Tasmania Award. Nominate a local hero, perhaps someone who has overcome difficulty or hardship, a young person displaying leadership, an entrepreneur, an innovator or simply someone with their heart and soul committed to putting Tasmania first. Their accomplishments will be inspiring, passionate and motivational. This young person will display exceptional resolve, commitment and behaviour in their actions - the Spirit of Tasmania.