Four inspiring young Australians are representing St George and Sutherland Shire in the 2016 NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards.
The awards celebrate, promote and encourage the positive achievements of individuals under the age of 29.
Engadine High School's Skye Mortimer of Heathcote was nominated for the Santos Indigenous Achievement Award.
As an Indigenous Australian who grew up in foster care, Skye was recognised for her work in being a positive role model for other children in care.
She is an active member of her school's student representative council and volunteers to help refugees as part of Amnesty International.
St Patrick's College Sutherland year 8 student Juliette Jones of Kogarah was nominated for three awards.
She has a chance to win the AustralianSuper career kickstart award, the First National real estate award, and the Freemasons NSW and ACT community services award.
Juliette started a business at age 11 when her grandfather died of Motor Neurone disease.
She created a lemonade recipe and sells it at Ramsgate Foodies market on weekends to raise funds for medical research.
Juliette has raised more than $20,000 and plans to expand her recipe in school canteens.
Ruth Lewis-Jones of Bundeena received two nominations – the Freemasons NSW and ACT community service award and First National real estate leadership award.
A passionate volunteer and youth leader in girls' education, Ruth raised more than $70,000 towards projects that aimed to empower young women to have confidence.
Climate change campaigner Grace Liley of Blakehurst was nominated for the Who Printing environment and sustainability award.
Grace demonstrated leadership in identifying strategies for change in her involvement with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition's campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal mining.
Judging is on February 23.
