In October, we came together to celebrate innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit at our annual Unleashed Awards! We put on our party shoes and celebrated some of the most inspiring initiatives and the young Australians leading them.

Each year we honour the impact young people have made to the biggest social and economic challenges of our time. The annual Unleashed Awards are our way of giving them a big ol’ pat on the back for making an incredible contribution to our world with a night of music, celebration and guest speakers.

This year we were lucky enough to be joined by NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir straight from Houston, Texas. Melbourne’s own Triple J Unearthed stars Kaiit and Alice Skye performed, and all-female group YOWO Music kept us grooving through the night as the houseband. Pulling it all together, our host was none other than funny man, Nath Valvo.

Here are the winners and high commendations we celebrated across the 9 categories

Rookie Enterprise of the Year, Years 7-9

Awarded​ ​to​ ​a​ ​business,​ ​venture,​ ​or​ ​social​ ​enterprise​ ​that​ ​was​ ​created​ ​by​ ​students​ ​from​ ​year​ ​levels​ ​7​ ​-​ ​9​ ​at​ ​school.​

Winner | BCD Services ($20 Boss project)
Cedar’s​ ​Christian​ ​College,​ ​Regional​ ​NSW

BCD​ ​Services​ ​are a ​diverse ​business​ that do everything​ ​from​ ​the​ ​distribution​ ​and​ ​selling​ ​of​ ​pizza,​ ​confectionary​ ​and​ ​drinks,​ ​to​ ​physical​ ​labour​ ​conducted​ ​at nearby​ ​local​ ​businesses.​ ​They have provided over​ ​50​ hours​ ​of​ ​physical​ ​labour​ and ​earned​ more than ​$1200 ​in​ ​total​ ​profit.​ ​To top it all off, 60%​ ​of​ money made has been donated​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Cancer​ ​Council. Amazing!

Highly Commended | Big Bad Bakers ($20 Boss project)
Flinders​ ​Island​ ​District​ ​High,​ ​Regional​ ​TAS

Big​ ​Bad​ ​Bakers​ ​was​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​a​ ​gap​ ​in​ ​the​ Flinders Island​ ​market,​ ​which lacks a regular supply of ​artisan-baked​ ​goods.​ ​

Highly Commended | Barkalicious ($20 Boss project)
Mackillop​ ​Catholic​ ​College,​ ​TAS

Barkalicious​ create ​nutritious​ ​dog​ ​treats​ ​from​ ​otherwise​ ​discarded​ ​beef​ ​livers,​ ​raising​ ​money​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Hobart​ ​Women’s​ ​Crisis​ ​Center,​ with hopes of stocking ​their​ ​product in​ ​local​ ​vet​ ​clinics​ ​and​ ​shops.​ ​

——————

Rookie Enterprise of the Year, Years 10-12

Awarded​ ​to​ ​a​ ​business,​ ​venture,​ ​or​ ​social​ ​enterprise​ ​that​ ​was​ ​created​ ​by​ ​students​ ​from​ ​year​ ​levels​ ​10​ ​-​ ​12​ ​at​ ​school​.​ ​

Winner | Mental Music
Brisbane​ ​State​ ​High School,​ ​QLD

Mental Music​ ​is​ ​a​ ​series​ ​of​ ​podcasts​ with​ a ​focus​ ​on​ ​issues​ ​affecting​ ​young​ ​people,​ ​especially​ ​mental​ ​health.​ ​Episodes include​ ​youth​ ​commentary,​ ​interviews​ ​with​ ​professionals,​ ​and​ ​music​ ​written​ ​and​ ​produced​ ​by​ ​students.​ ​Mental​ ​Music​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​the​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​and​ ​promote​ ​positive​ ​change​ ​in​ ​young​ ​people​ ​is to​ ​speak​ ​from​ ​a​ ​place​ ​of​ ​authenticity​ ​— ​as​ ​a​ ​podcast​ ​created​ ​by​ ​and​ ​for​ ​young​ ​people,​ ​they​ ​seek to provide​ a ​much-needed​ ​service​ ​in​ ​a​ ​relevant​ ​and​ ​accessible​ ​format.

Highly Commended | Anti Vexed Text
St.​ ​Phillips​ ​College,​ ​Regional​ ​NT

Anti Vexed Text ​is​ ​a​ subscription​ ​service​ ​where​ ​an​ ​SMS​ ​message​ ​is​ ​sent​ ​every​ ​morning​ ​with​ a ​positive​ ​quote​ or ​stress​ ​relieving​ ​strategy to subscribers.​

——————

Jumpstart

Awarded​ ​to​ ​ventures,​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​and​ ​businesses​ ​with​ ​a​ ​social​ ​purpose,​ ​that​ ​are​ ​led​ ​by​ ​young​ ​people​ ​aged​ ​12-18​.​ ​These projects are just​ ​starting​ ​out,​ making​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​contribution​ ​to​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community​ and ​beyond.

Winner | Please Fix
Sydney,​ ​NSW

Please​ ​Fix​​ ​is​ ​an​ ​app​ ​that​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​simple​ ​for​ ​people​ ​to​ ​report​ ​problems​ ​like​ ​potholes​ ​or​ ​graffiti​ ​to​ ​local​ ​governments.​ Community members might come across​ ​small problems​ ​in​ ​their​ local area​ ​on a daily basis​ ​but​ ​they​ may not ​take​ ​the​ ​next​ ​steps​ ​to​ ​get​ ​them​ fixed.​​ The app has a simple system — point​ your device​ ​at​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​and​ ​take​ ​a​ ​photo, then Please​ ​Fix​ ​does​ ​all​ ​the​ ​rest.​ You can download Please Fix from the app store and try it for yourself.

Highly Commended | ChangeMakeHer
Brisbane,​ ​QLD

ChangeMakeHer​ ​is​ ​a​ ​student-founded​ ​organisation​ ​united​ ​by​ ​a​ ​common​ ​passion​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​young​ ​girls​ ​to​ ​become​ ​change​makers​ ​of​ ​the future.​ 

——————

——————

Local Legend

Awarded​ ​to​ ​ventures,​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​and​ ​businesses​ ​with​ ​a​ ​social​ ​purpose,​ ​that​ ​are​ ​led​ ​by​ ​young​ ​people​ ​aged​ ​15​ ​-​ ​25​,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​special​ ​shout​ ​out​ ​for​ ​those legends​ ​in​ ​rural​ ​or​ ​regional​ ​areas​.​

Winner | E-Raced — Prudence Melom
Toowoomba,​ ​QLD

E-raced​ ​is​ ​a​ ​program​ designed​ ​to​ ​break​ ​down​ ​stereotypes​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​racism​ ​through​ ​storytelling.​ ​The team behind E-Raced are​ ​young Australians​ ​from​ ​refugee​ ​and​ ​migrant backgrounds​ who ​share​ ​their​ ​experiences​ ​with​ ​regional​ ​and​ ​rural​ ​High​ ​School​ ​students​ ​in​ ​years​ ​8​ ​-12.​ Students ​meet​ ​and​ ​chat​ ​with​ ​the​ ​storytellers,​ ​asking​ ​questions about​ ​their​ ​life,​ ​culture,​ ​traditions​ ​and​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​journey​ ​to​ ​Australia.​  

Highly Commended | Street Basketball Association (SBA)
Alice​ ​Springs,​ ​NT

​SBA​ ​was​ ​created​ ​because​ ​participants​ ​saw​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​in​ ​their​ ​community​: ​​there​ ​were​ ​no​ ​youth​ -focussed​ ​basketball​ ​comps​ ​in​ ​NT,​ ​and​ they ​wanted​ ​to​ ​unite​ ​people through​ ​sport.​ ​

——————

Vanguard

Awarded​ ​to​ ​ventures,​ ​social​ ​enterprises​ ​and​ ​businesses​ ​with​ ​a​ ​social​ ​purpose,​ ​that​ ​are​ ​led​ ​by​ ​young​ ​people​ ​aged​ ​18​ ​-​ ​29​.​ ​We​ ​want​ ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​innovative​ ​solutions​ ​with​ ​significant​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​and​ ​become​ ​a game​ ​changer.

Winner | Catalysr
Sydney,​ ​NSW

Catalysr​ run ​a​ ​4-month​ ​business​ ​accelerator​ ​program​ ​enabling​ ​unemployed and underemployed​ ​migrants​ ​and​ ​refugees​ ​to​ ​create​ ​their​ ​own​ ​business. They’ve ​worked​ ​with​ ​40​ ​entrepreneurs​ ​from​ ​migrant/refugee​ ​background​ ​in​ their​ ​first​ ​year, which​ ​has​ ​led​ ​to​ ​10​ ​new​ ​businesses.​ ​These​ ​businesses​ ​have​ ​created​ ​over​ ​$300,000​ ​in​ ​revenue,​ ​and​ ​25​ ​full-time​ ​jobs​ ​and​ ​are​ ​continuing​ ​to​ ​grow. Catalysr’s​ ​vision​ ​is​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ “​migrapreneurial​” ​revolution​ ​in​ ​Australia.​ ​It’s​ ​mission​ ​is​ ​to​ ​create​ ​10,000​ ​jobs​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​in​ ​the​ ​next​ ​10​ ​years. They’re also in the process of​ ​developing​ ​online​ ​learning​ ​platform.

Highly Commended | Dancing with Her
Coolangatta,​ ​NSW

Dancing​ ​With​ ​Her​ ​started​ ​as​ ​an​ ​Instagram​ ​account​ ​-​ ​one​ ​that​ ​collected​ ​wedding​ ​photos​ ​of​ ​women​ ​marrying​ ​women​ ​from​ ​across​ ​the​ ​world.​ When submissions began to flood in,​ ​a​ ​website​ ​and​ ​blog​ ​was​ ​created​, and​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​same-sex​ ​friendly​ ​wedding​ ​vendors​ was launched.​ ​In​ ​February​ ​2017,​ ​the project continued to evolve and Dancing​ ​With​ ​Her​ ​Magazine​ ​was​ ​born​ ​as​ ​a small​ ​digital​ ​publication​ ​available​ ​to​ ​download.​ ​

Highly Commended | genXchange
Sunshine​ ​Coast,​ ​QLD

genXchange​ ​is​ ​a​ ​platform​ ​(both digital​ ​and​ ​in-person)​ ​that​ ​connects​ ​people​ ​across​ ​generations​ ​to​ ​tackle​ ​social​ ​isolation.​ ​It’s​ ​like​ ​a​ ​dating​ ​app that ​celebrates​ ​wisdom instead, and seeks to connect students with mentors.​ ​

——————

Gamechanger
Awarded to any social enterprise or venture led by young people aged 18-29.

Winner | Little Dreamers
Melbourne,​ ​VIC

Little​ ​Dreamers​ ​is​ ​a​ ​not-for-profit​ ​that​ ​recognises,​ ​celebrates,​ ​and​ ​amplifies​ ​young​ ​carers as one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​vulnerable​ ​groups​ ​in​ ​Australia.​ ​They seek to​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​and strengthen​ ​their​ ​futures​ ​by​ ​increasing​ ​their​ ​social​ ​connectedness;​ ​championing​ ​young​ ​carers​ ​through​ ​ ​advocacy​ ​programs,​ ​and​ ​raising​ ​awareness​ ​by​ ​breaking​ ​down barriers​ ​of​ ​stigma​ ​and​ ​ignorance​ ​surrounding​ ​disability,​ ​mental​ ​health,​ ​and​ ​caring;​ ​and​ ​foster​ ​employment​ ​pathways​ ​by​ ​working​ ​with​ ​businesses​ ​to​ ​develop carer-friendly​ ​workplaces. Founder of Little Dreamers Australia, Madeleine is a 2017 Queen’s Young Leader and, along with her team, has significantly impacted the lives of over 1,200 families throughout Australia.

——————

New Work Order

Awarded ​to​ ​Australian​ ​businesses,​ ​organisations​ ​and​ ​educational​ ​institutions​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Universities​ ​and​ ​Schools,​ ​that​ ​have​ ​a​ ​commitment​ ​to preparing​ ​young​ ​people​ ​for​ ​the​ ​future​ ​of​ ​work​ ​and​ ​the​ ​world​.​ ​This​ ​award​ ​was​ ​decided​ ​upon​ ​by​ ​a​ ​panel​ ​of​ ​external​ ​sector​ ​experts.

Winner | The Global Consulting Group
Melbourne, VIC

The​ ​Global​ ​Consulting​ ​Group​ ​(GCG)​ ​is​ ​a​ ​charity​ ​which​ ​provides​ ​pro-bono​ ​consulting​ ​services​ ​to​ ​other​ ​charities​ ​and​ ​not-for-profits.​ ​They do this​ ​by​ ​selecting​ ​and upskilling​ ​high-potential​ ​students​ ​and​ ​connecting​ ​them​ ​with​ ​experienced​ ​professionals​ ​who​ ​then​ ​work​ ​together​ ​to​ ​solve​ ​organisational​ ​problems​ ​for​ ​other​ ​charities. The​ ​organisation​ ​has​ ​over​ ​150​ ​concurrent​ ​volunteers​ ​and​ ​500​ ​Alumni​ ​across​ ​Australia.​ ​Over​ ​120​ ​projects​ ​have​ ​been​ ​completed​ ​for​ ​clients​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​United​ ​Nations, TEDx,​ ​Salvation​ ​Army,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Climate​ ​Council.​  

Highly Commended | Northside Christian College
Brisbane, QLD

From​ ​Primary​ ​to​ ​High​ ​School,​ ​Northside​ Christian College works ​to​ ​equip​ ​students​ ​with​ ​the​ ​best​ ​skills​ ​for​ ​future​ ​employment​ ​in an​ ​increasingly​ ​competitive​ ​globalised​ ​economy.​ ​They have ​prioritised​ ​innovation​ ​and​ ​creativity​ ​to​ ​ensure​ students ​are​ ​equipped​ ​for​ ​the​ ​job market​ ​of​ ​the​ ​future.​ ​

Highly Commended | Huonville High School
Huonville, TAS

Huonville​ ​High​ ​School​ ​(HHS),​ ​is​ ​in​ ​a​ ​regional​ ​agricultural​ ​region​ ​of​ ​Tasmania​.​ As​ ​an​ ​education​ ​provider​ ​for​ ​students​ ​Years​ ​7​ ​to​ ​12​ ​in​ ​what​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​significantly​ ​disadvantaged​ ​community,​ ​HHS​ ​is​ ​extremely​ ​conscious​ ​of​ ​the​ ​need​ ​to​ ​prepare the​ ​young​ ​people​ ​of​ ​the​ ​region​ ​for​ ​the​ ​future​ ​of​ ​work​ ​and​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​

——————

Inspired Citizen Award

Awarded to a project imagined by students involved in the 2017 Australian of the Year and Foundation for Young Australians Inspired Citizens program. It has been created to celebrate young people who recognise and act on their potential to lead positive change in their communities.

Winner | Stomping Out Stereotypes
Frankston High School, VIC

Stomping Out Stereotypes is a project created by Year 9 students at Frankston High School. Their mission is to reduce the impact of stereotyping in their community and through this, make a broader positive impact on issues such as bullying, racism and sexism. They have designed and run school workshops with local primary school students, to create new ways to educate young people about stereotypes and to inspire critical thinking. Their aim is to show their community that they can make a difference by facing up to unconscious stereotyping and changing this behaviour.

——————

Champion of Change

Awarded to an individual who is well known in the public domain and is leading the way with social change.

Winner | Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Yassmin​ ​Abdel-Magied​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Sudanese-Australian​ ​who​ ​is​ ​a​ ​mechanical​ ​engineer​ ​by​ ​trade,​ ​but​ ​has​ ​created​ ​a​ ​name​ ​for​ ​herself​ ​as​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​activist​ ​and​ ​changemaker​ ​in the​ ​ongoing​ ​race​ ​conversation​ ​in​ ​Australia.​ ​She​ ​is​ ​the​ ​author​ ​of​ ​Yassmin’s​ ​Story​ ​and,​ ​until​ ​recently,​ ​was​ ​a​ ​TV​ ​presenter​ ​on​ ​ABC’s​ ​Australia​ ​Wide.​ ​Yassmin was chosen as a Champion of Change​ ​because​ ​she​ ​has​ ​become​ ​a​ ​household​ ​name​ ​for​ ​shining​ ​a​ ​spotlight​ ​on​ ​the​ ​divisive​ ​voices​ ​that​ ​can​ ​flood​ ​the​ ​mainstream​ ​media.