Our Highlights

Each year, the Y WA Staff Awards recognise individuals and teams who embody our values and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people and communities across Western Australia. 

Safeguarding Award – Jake Clayton
Jake Clayton was recognised for his leadership in safeguarding at Currambine OSHC. By embedding the Y WA’s Guiding Children’s Behaviour Agreement into everyday practice, Jake helped create a safe, supportive environment where children feel respected, heard and valued. 

Power of Inspired Young People Award – Shikara Collins
Through her work with the Y School, Shikara Collins has created opportunities for students to build confidence, develop new skills and connect with their communities. From wellbeing initiatives to educational excursions, her work has empowered young people to recognise and pursue their potential. 

Lin Doust Award for Human Flourishing – Renee Chakaodza
As the Y WA’s first Literacy Specialist, Renee Chakaodza has played a pivotal role in strengthening early literacy outcomes for children across the state. Through educator training, language screening and the expansion of the School ReadY Program, her work has supported hundreds of children and influenced practice beyond Western Australia. 

Sir George Williams Team Award – The Y School
The Y School team was recognised for its commitment to helping disengaged young people reconnect with education. Through personalised learning pathways and holistic support, students have achieved academic success, accessed new opportunities and developed confidence in their futures. 

Congratulations to all recipients whose dedication continues to strengthen our impact across Western Australia. 

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the Y WA Youth Parliament Program, a significant milestone for one of Western Australia’s longest-running youth leadership initiatives. 

Over the past 3 decades, Youth Parliament has provided thousands of young people with opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, policy development, leadership and advocacy. Participants engage directly with democratic processes while exploring issues that matter to young people and their communities. 

To celebrate the anniversary, alumni, volunteers and supporters came together to reflect on the program’s history and impact. The program was also recognised at the 2025 Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia Awards, receiving the Collective Action Award. 

Thirty years after its inception, Youth Parliament continues to provide young people with a platform to have their voices heard and contribute to positive change within their communities. 

The Y WA’s Education Engagement and Attainment Initiative, known locally in Newman as Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la! (“Get up young people, let’s go!”), was recognised with the Kooya Local Engagement Excellence Award at the AIM WA Pinnacle Awards. 

The award celebrates organisations that demonstrate strong community partnerships, local leadership and innovative approaches to addressing complex social challenges. 

Delivered by a predominantly First Nations team, the program provides mentoring, meals, school engagement support and coordinated services for children and families in Newman. Through partnerships with schools, health services and community organisations, the initiative helps create opportunities for young people to flourish. 

The award also included a $20,000 training package, which will be invested in staff development to further strengthen service delivery and community outcomes.

In April, the Y WA Youth Squad partnered with local band Twelve Parsecs to host Pink Noise, an all-ages fundraising event supporting women’s cancer research.

Inspired by personal experiences with breast cancer, the event brought together local musicians and young people for an evening of live music and fundraising. More than $2,800 was raised for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Beyond the fundraising outcome, Pink Noise demonstrated the power of youth-led initiatives. Young people were involved in planning, organising and delivering the event, developing valuable leadership and event management skills along the way.

The event highlights what can be achieved when young people are supported to transform personal experiences into positive community action.

Across all 14 of our Early Learning Centres, children picked up pencils and crayons for our first-ever bookmark competition.  

The winning design, a rainbow, was printed and shared with students at Brentwood Primary School during Book Week, alongside Nova 937’s Nathan, Nat and Shaun. 

Literacy Specialist Renee Chakaodza said, “In my opinion, every week should be Book Week! Dressing up as a character from a favourite book is a great way to share enthusiasm and to promote the many benefits of sharing books and stories with children.”

“Reading with children is always time well spent – it’s an investment in the development of little ones who benefit from the exposure to the sounds and words of the language, through to older children who can grow their vocabulary and build on their knowledge of the world.” 

More than just an art activity, the competition gave children the chance to express themselves, build confidence, and take pride in their creativity, made possible by the encouragement of our ELC teams every step of the way. 

Little Blue House Family Day Care in Karridale has won the Excellence in Family Day Care (FDC) Award for Bunbury and the Southwest. This is Jacquelin Sims’ second accolade since opening the service under the Y WA FDC program in November 2022.

With more than 12 years’ experience in early childhood education, Jacquelin is known for creating community-focused experiences for children in her care. One memorable example saw a 3-year-old’s enthusiasm for helping with the bins inspire a neighbourhood activity that taught children the value of helping others and sparked conversations about supporting neighbours in everyday ways.

When asked what the award means to her, Jacquelin said, “I was blown away to receive this award again and I see it as recognition for the work I put in.”

“I am lucky to have such a great parent group who appreciate my role in their family, and I am well known within our towns too due to my strong focus on community connections and embedding the children in their towns wider community.”

The Y WA FDC Service Program supports educators like Jacquelin from day one through home visits, play sessions, training and ongoing mentoring, while respecting the individuality of each home and ensuring safe, stimulating learning environments.

For young people across Perth who have struggled to connect with mainstream education, a new door has opened. In May, the Y WA welcomed its first cohort of Year 8 and 9 students to its new Mirrabooka Junior Campus (Years 7–9), with Year 7 intake to follow soon.  

Built to support up to 120 students, the campus forms part of a unified school model offering multiple campuses tailored to different stages of learning. Purpose-built for younger students, the facility features flexible classroom ‘hubs’ that encourage ownership and engagement, along with breakout spaces for small-group learning and targeted support. Its curriculum blends direct instruction in literacy and numeracy with STEAM-based project learning, Protective Behaviours and Positive Youth Development.  

Open to students from across the region with no catchment restrictions, the school encourages families to get in touch to discuss their child’s needs, with enrolment subject to the ability to travel to campus. At the end of Year 9, students are supported to plan their next steps, with pathways into the Y School’s Mirrabooka Senior Campus (Years 10–12), including vocational education, WACE courses and university preparation programs.  

Executive Principal Liz Parker praised the dedication of staff in establishing the new campus, describing it as the result of months of hard work by a committed team. 

“I want to acknowledge the enormous effort our team has put in to stand up this new campus,” Ms Parker said. “It’s been a huge undertaking, and their commitment has made it possible.”

“This is not about ‘fixing’ students—it’s about supporting them. Our students are not broken. They are simply looking for a different way to access education – one that compliments the way their brain works and celebrates their individual strengths. Many of our young people have struggled to feel a sense of belonging in mainstream schools. Here, we create a space where they feel safe, understood, and capable of success. We personalise learning, build strong relationships, and help each student rediscover their potential.”

“The Y School is here for young people who are looking for a different kind of support to stay engaged in learning and build a positive future.” 

In April 2026, the Y WA launched a new website and digital home at theywa.org.au, making it easier for children, families and communities to find and access our services. 

The new website features improved navigation, enhanced accessibility and clearer pathways to programs including Early Learning Centres, Outside School Hours Care, Youth Services, Recreation and the Y School. 

For many families, the website provides their first connection with the Y WA. The refreshed platform has been designed to create a more user-friendly experience and help people find the support and opportunities they need more quickly. 

The launch is another step in strengthening how we connect with communities across Western Australia.

Talented 16-year-old Yamatji Wongi student from Y School Mirrabooka has been recognised nationally after winning WhyNot and the Y Australia’s 2026 NAIDOC T-shirt Design Competition. Open to young people across Australia, the competition saw Paige’s artwork selected as the winning design, earning her a $1,000 prize and the opportunity to have her artwork featured on the Y’s official limited-edition NAIDOC T-shirt.

Paige joined the Y School in late 2025. Reflecting on her journey, Paige shared,

“Before joining the Y School I was sad. I was a bit lost, and I had zero direction. I didn’t think that I deserved anything that I wanted and needed… I’m in such a good place now! Feeling a lot better and I feel very supported. I know if I fall, there are people who will always help me back up.”

Inspired by the NAIDOC Week theme 50 Years of Deadly, her artwork celebrates the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, honouring culture, connection, community and the leadership of Elders past, present and future.

Y School Principal Liz Parker said,

“Paige’s journey is a wonderful example of what can happen when young people are supported, encouraged and given the opportunity to discover their strengths. Since joining the Y School, we’ve seen Paige flourish. Her confidence has grown; she’s embraced new opportunities and we’re incredibly proud to see her creativity recognised through this award.”

Paige’s Youth Worker has witnessed that growth firsthand.

“it’s a real privilege to be part of Paige’s journey and to proudly wear her artwork. Having faced many challenges, she has found that all she needed to access her considerable academic, creative and social talents was a supportive school environment. It makes me very happy to know that Paige trusts us to consistently be there when she needs support and cheer her on in her successes.”

Paige’s artwork will continue to be worn proudly by Y staff, volunteers and supporters across Australia, celebrating First Nations culture and community. The t-shirt is available for purchase.

The Y WA was deeply saddened by the passing of Lindsay Isaac “Lin” Doust, whose lifelong service helped shape the Y movement in Western Australia and beyond. 

Lin’s connection to the Y began in 1940 at YMCA Fremantle. Over more than 7 decades, he served in numerous volunteer leadership roles at local, national and international levels, becoming the only Western Australian to hold Life Membership with both Fremantle and Perth YMCA organisations. 

A passionate historian, Lin played a significant role in preserving the history of the Y movement in Western Australia. His research documenting the military service of YMCA volunteers is recognised by the Australian War Memorial, while his stewardship of the Y WA museum collection helped safeguard important pieces of the organisation’s history. 

In recognition of his contribution, the museum space at Y WA headquarters was renamed the Lin Doust Room in 2018. His legacy is also reflected through the annual Lin Doust Award for Human Flourishing, which recognises staff who embody the generosity, service and community spirit that defined his life. 

Whilst in his own words, Lin would espouse his lifetime achievement as the family, home and garden, he and wife Beth created in suburban Attadale; here at the Y WA, we would point to the magnitude of his achievements and contributions to the movement, not just locally, but nationally and internationally.  

• • Member of YMCA Fremantle since 1940 
  • Member of Endeavour Club, Vikings Club, YMCA Hockey Club, and Athletics Club 
  • Charter President of the Vikings Club 
  • Charter President of the Fremantle Y’s Men’s Club 
  • Western Districts Y’s Men Governor 
  • Regional Director, Y’s Men Australia 
  • International Director of the Brothers Club, forging strong ties with YMCA movements in China and Russia 
  • Board Member, Fremantle YMCA 
  • Board Member, Perth YMCA (now the Y WA) 
  • Lin remains the only Western Australian to hold Life Membership with both Fremantle and Perth YMCA’s, a testament to the extraordinary impact of his service. 

  In 2026, Lin Doust was also posthumously honoured with the prestigious WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award, which recognises individuals who have dedicated more than 20 years to volunteering and made a lasting impact on the Western Australian community. 

  Lin’s journey with the Y began at just 10 years old. Throughout his remarkable years of service, he was a teacher, board member, leader and trusted friend to many. His dedication helped shape countless lives, and his commitment to preserving the history of Y WA will ensure its legacy is remembered for generations to come. 

  Lin’s impact will continue to be felt across the Y for generations to come. We thank him for a lifetime of service and commitment to helping others belong, connect and flourish.