Inspirational.Australians by Awards Australia Podcast Annette Vawser

In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Bianca-Jaye Mazzuchelli, finalist of the Spirit Super Create Change Award at the 2023 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Victoria.

Bianca is a proud Gunditjmara woman who is currently studying her undergraduate degree in Psychological Science. She talks about the development of Auditory Sensory Prevention Technology (ASPT), which is an earpiece that emits white noise and is designed to help children and adults who are neurodiverse, to combat challenges they may face in social settings due to sound sensitivity. In 2022 her ASPT start-up won the Swinburn Venture Cup.

“I believe that it's a human right for every child to have a friend”
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Isabella Dewar who was the Winner of the Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 2023 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards.

Isabella began her martial arts journey when she joined a karate class at the age of 4 and by 14, she had earned her black belt. Through karate, Isabella has learnt not just the physical skills of self-defence, but also mindfulness, discipline, and a feeling of empowerment that has helped her overcome bullying. At 16, she is now a certified karate instructor and runs free self-defence classes and empowerment programs to kids and adults who have experienced bullying.

Isabella is a carer for her mum and she was recently appointed as the youngest member of the Minister’s Carer Advisory Council that provides advice, information and insights about issues affecting carers to assist in the development and delivery of informed, effective and evidence-based policy, programs and projects to support and recognise unpaid carers. She hopes to use her voice and lived experience to advocate for supports for other young people juggling school and caring responsibilities.

“I think all young people, if they have something to say, should be saying it, because if we want to make change in the world, we have to listen to everybody’s ideas”
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Paige Horrigan who was the Winner of the Spirit Super Create Change Award at the 2022 Northern Territory Young Achiever of the Year.

In 2019, Paige was the victim of a hate-motivated assault while at school and no one was held accountable. This sparked their passion to highlight LGBTQIA+ issues and create positive change for queer young people in the Palmerston and surrounding communities. They have worked for organisations like Rainbow Territory to help in the fight against discriminatory legislation and advocated for the creation of safe spaces dedicated to LGBTQIA+ young people.

“People need to step up and speak up”

“I'm proud to be an LGBTQ person, and I'm proud to be an active member in the community. I wish there was things we didn't have to fight for. I wish it was just basic human rights, that we had the same as everyone else. But just because of our gender identity or our sexual identity, it means we have to work harder to be respected or have the same rights as others”
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Harrison James on being a survivor, becoming an advocate and the #YourReferenceAin’tRelevant campaign

In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Neeka Zand who was the winner of the 2023 Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 7News Young Achiever Awards in Western Australia.

Neeka is the daughter of Iranian political refugees, and through her upbringing she has become passionate about ensuring equitable access to appropriate well-being support. She has a background in Psychology and Business and is currently the Youth Advocate on the Menal Health Commission’s Multicultural Committee. She aims to amplify the voices of young people and people from multicultural communities, in the mental health space, and reduce the stigma that can still exist around mental ill health.

After a personal experience speaking with a young person at risk, Neeka led the development of Right By You; a youth peer-to-peer suicide prevention website to help young people develop the skills and confidence to respond and help a friend in need.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Dr Ramesh from the South West Indian Group who were the winners of the 2022 Woolworths Community Group of the Year Award at the WA Community Achievement Awards.

Dr Ramesh was born in the small streets of Chennai, Tamil Nadu South India. He qualified as a doctor from Stanley medical college in India and did postgraduate training in the UK and Australia. He has been actively involved in community support programs, charitable activities and cricket. His passion is to promote multiculturalism, harmony, happiness and peace. Along with a small team, he formed the South West Indian Group (SWIG) in Bunbury WA which shared his passion and vision: Breaking Barriers, Bridging Cultures.

South West Indian Group (SWIG ) is a not-for-profit community volunteer group promoting harmony, wellness, and unity through their Indian themed events and various fundraising and community efforts. During the Covid 19 pandemic, SWIG campaigned for ventilators in India. SWIG events contribute towards education for girls living in poverty as well as Aboriginal communities. SWIG, in collaboration with City of Bunbury Council, planted 260 seedlings on World Environment Day on the 5th June 2022.
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