Four of the State’s brightest young leaders have been recognised as finalists in the Catholic Education Young Leadership Award, one of nine categories in the Seven News Young Achiever Awards. 

Krista Dunstan, Ethan Williams, Josef Jordan Bandera and Drisana Levitzke-Gray were nominated for demonstrating outstanding leadership in different ways, putting them into the running for the CEWA category award as well as the overall Young Achiever award. 

Common themes between the four finalists is a passion for helping others, advocating for and empowering the marginalised and making sustainable changes for the better. 

A lawyer and Noongar woman, Ms Dunstan has become a role model for young Aboriginal people as she has risen through the ranks of WA’s legal circles. 

Mr Williams’ community and fundraising work with the St Patrick’s Community Centre, University of Notre Dame Australia and and Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience has inspired many. 

Drisana Levitzke-Gray was a founding member of Deaf Youth Australia and 2015 Young Australian of the Year. She advocates for the human rights of deaf people and raises awareness about the right of deaf children in Australia to access Auslan from birth.  

Josef Jordan Bandera established iSports after identifying a lack of opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sport across the greater Bunbury region.  

The CEWA Young Leadership Award acknowledges young people who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within their schools, organisations and businesses. 

They are intended to recognise young people who exemplify courage: like Ms Dunstan and Ms Levitzke-Gray who every day challenge the status quo and advocate for human rights; the power of a positive attitude – like Mr Bandera who identified a problem and let nothing stop him from activating a meaningful solution; and are skilled at empowering and collaborating with others  – like Mr Williams who has changed the lives of many young people and helped them create a brighter future. 

Winners of the nine Young Achiever Awards categories will receive a $1,000 Bartercard account, $500 Woolworths Gift Card, plus $500 cash and a magnificent trophy. 

Winners of the nine Young Achiever Award categories as well as the overall winner will be announced at the Awards Gala Presentation on Saturday 25 May at the Pan Pacific Perth. 

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