Previous NT Young Australian Winners

NT Awards

2007

Katharina Fehringer Katharina Fehringer is a well known and respected Darwin classical guitarist, violinist, music teacher, and performing artist. She has performed extensively in local, national, and international settings and has received several arts scholarships and awards. Katharina's prizes for eisteddfods over the past ten years or so number nearly thirty - including first prize for orchestral strings duet; guitar or mandolin; orchestral strings solo; dance solo ethnic; and Australian verse solo - at both age and open levels of competition. She is a regular performer at the Darwin International Guitar Festival and at the Arafura Games opening ceremony. Katharina was a member of the Chief Minister's Round Table for Young Territorians and the inaugural National Youth Roundtable. A graduate of the Charles Darwin University, she has also studied flamenco guitar in Europe and has recently been accepted to study at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music in England.

2006

Alice Chang Tune into Darwin radio's Mandarin program on Saturday nights and you'll hear Alice Chang promoting cultural understanding and empowering young people to have a voice.Watch this young medical student at other times and you'll see her meeting her childhood vow to help new settlers to Australia, as she once was. Alice is a tireless worker for young people and an effective advocate for regional and rural health. As a member of the NT Chief Minister's Roundtable, she is involved with development of sexual assault prevention strategies and she also is a member of a national advisory group for consumer health,mental health and domestic violence prevention. Alice regularly mentors young migrants in Darwin and works with refugee women in setting up small businesses. After working in remote areas in Queensland and the NT, she knows the health disadvantages of rural and Indigenous people and has a passion for alleviating these difficulties.

2005

Daniel Bourchier Daniel Bourchier, of Tennant Creek, was announced as Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year for his dedication to youth issues. At just 18 years of age, Daniel’s influence on the youth in the Tennant Creek community has been significant. His many achievements include becoming a member of the Army Cadets and St. John’s Ambulance Cadets, Student Representative Council and School Captain, Tennant Creek Youth Initiatives Working Group and recently Daniel was selected to become a Youth Representative on the Chief Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians. He is also the NT Youth Representative on the National Planning Group for National Youth Week 2005. Daniel is a reporter, with articles regularly featured in the Northern Territory News and also assists in coordination of events through the National Youth Week Co-ordination Committee in the region. Daniel is focussed and passionate about his community and the youth who live within it.

2004

Sarah Chunys Sarah Chunys is committed to building a stronger and more supportive environment in Alice Springs with focus on the issue of mental health and young people. She has enthusiastically campaigned for community organisations, schools, parents and families to be more aware of mental health issues. During Mental Health Week in 2002, Sarah organised and hosted the first mental health community forum ever in Alice Springs. She has committed many hours volunteering, including working with the Mental Health Team, Life Promotions Unit and Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services. The current Young Territorian of the Year, Sarah has also published a number of newspaper articles and written a play, which will be performed during National Youth Week. Sarah is committed to informing and assisting people from all walks of life. She is a highly motivated person and is truly an inspiration.

2003

NO PHOTO AVALABLE

Steven Camilleri Steven Camilleri displayed his electronic competency at a young age, completing a Grade 12 electronics course while in Grade 7 earning a 100% score. He chose to remain in Darwin at Northern Territory University so he could participate in Project Desert Rose - a high performance solar car. He helped develop a new battery system which gained the team a world record. He went on to work with the NT Centre for Energy Research. His recent endeavours include working with a colleague to form the first spin-off company from NTU to commercialise some of the pollution-free, fuel-free power electronics and motor techniques he has been developing. His company is receiving international investment attention but he is determined that it remain an Australian-based success.

2002

Mr Yin Carl Paradies

Mr Yin Carl Paradies, 24 of Tiwi in Darwin is the Overall "Channel Eight Young Achiever of the Year for the Northern Territory". He is also the winner of the Power and Water Authority Science and Technology Award category.

The Chief Minister, the Honourable Clare Martin MLA, made the official announcement at a presentation awards ceremony held in Darwin on Friday 9^th November.

Selected as the overall winner from nineteen finalists, Yin’s prizes include a Qantas trip for two with five nights accommodation courtesy of Carlton Hotels, two trophies and a $2,000 Award Saver Account from the Commonwealth Bank.

Providing opportunity and encouragement to young achievers in all fields of endeavour, the young Australian of the Year Awards is the most prestigious national awards program in Australia.

Yin was chosen as the overall winner of the Northern Territory for his ambitious achievements, hard work, and determination and for being an outstanding role model to all young Territorians and Australians.

Yin aims to become one of the leaders of Indigenous health research in Australia, representing and advocating on behalf of the indigenous community regarding health related issues and well being.

He intends to achieve this by continuing his training as a health researcher and by conducting sound scientific, ethical and effective Indigenous health research.

Though his work as an Indigenous cadet with the Australian Bureau of statistics and currently at the Co-operative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH), Yin has contributed to an improved understanding and awareness in the Australian community of the poor health issues experienced by many indigenous Australians.

He has completed a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science and is currently completing a Master of Medical Statistics with a view to commencing a PhD in Social epidemiology in 2002. After this course, he will continue with post doctoring training, possibly including overseas study with the aim of enhancing his ability to effectively contribute to Indigenous public health research in Australia.

Yin was the recipient of both the Territory Health Services (THS) Professional Development Award and the Aboriginal and Terres Stait Islander Studies Assistance Award in 2000 and 2001 respectively.

In 1992, He was one of 30 young people selected to attend the Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and science at the University of South Australia.

In addition to working and studying full time, Yin is a member of the National Youth Roundtable. (a forum of young Australians who advocate and represent the views of their peers to government)

He is also actively involved with the Danila Dilba Youth Committee, the Darwin Region Epidemiology Group and as an external advisor to the Newcastle University Postgraduate Student Association.

Yin regularly attends community forums, conferences, events, and meetings in the scientific and broader Australian community including the recent inaugural Central Australian Indigenous Youth Summit and participating as a member of the Dnila Dilba Youth Committee.

He also contributes to the Australian society through a commitment to volunteer work, both the provision of the first aid to the general public though St Johns Ambulance and promoting the self- esteem and empowerment of young people by assisting the organisation of activities associated with the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In addition to all of these pursuits and interests, Yin still manages to find time for playing touch football and trying new things such as Yoga, Tai chi, Parachuting, Scuba diving and Technology and sport.

Yin and six other category winners will represent the Northern Territory at the national awards culminating with the announcement of the Young Australian of the Year 2002 at Parliament House in Canberra prior to Australia Day.

2001

Kara Warner ready for the awards

Kara Warner Kara was appointed Academy Cadet Lieutenant in 1995 and was the Highest ranked RAAF Cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Kara's commitment, focus and talent was recognised in 1996 when she was awarded the prestigious The Chief of the Defence Force Air Force Award which is presented to the top Air Force Cadet annually. On her posting to RAAF Base Williamtown in 1998 she completed the 1/98 Fighter Intelligence Qualification (FIQ) Course, graduating as the first Intelligence Officer to complete the course. The course involved six months of intensive study of the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft systems, capabilities and employment. Kara continued to excel when she undertook the Air Intelligence Officers Basic Course in July 1998 graduating with Distinction. Kara was then posted to the Northern Territory in Oct 1998 to 75 Squadron as the Intelligence Officer. 75 Squadron operates the F/A-18 Hornet from RAAF Base Tindal, which is strategically located to contribute effectively to the defence of Australia's northern approaches. With Kara's exceptional intelligence and skill she provides support to 75 Squadron in training and operations. She undertakes regular technical intelligence briefs on foreign aircraft and weapon systems, political and current events briefings, as well as reporting 75 Squadron's involvement in Exercises or Operations. Kara is also the Base Intelligence Officer and Tindal Officers Mess Secretary. Kara volunteered for active military service in East Timor and was posted to Deployable Joint Force Headquarters in November 1999. Kara used her tact, acute understanding and honour as an intelligence officer in International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Headquarters for four months where she provided information analysis, intelligence reporting and briefings to Commander INTERFET and international representatives providing exposure to joint and international intelligence processes at Headquarters level. On her return she was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (East Timor Clasp) INTERFET Campaign Medal. When Kara is not at work she provides support to other young women at Tidal by volunteering her time as a Girl Guide Assistant Leader giving them inspiration and mentorship. Her superiors unanimously applaud her exceptional dedication, determination and intelligence and consider her one of the key individuals in maintaining intelligence operations at 75 squadron at Tindal.