“It’s not often that you see a young person go through the things that young people in the out-of-home care sector do, and come out the other end,” reflects Tayla Scarcella.

Ms Scarcella has. A trauma survivor, and once disengaged from education, she was named Canberra’s Young Citizen of the Year on Friday night.

An advocate for young people in the out-of-home care sector – many of whom have experienced poverty and neglect, and are disconnected from their families – Ms Scarcella is determined to help young people like her build better lives.

She is a young consultant for the CREATE Foundation, the national peak consumer body representing the voices of children and young people in out-of-home care. She has volunteered with its Speak Up youth empowerment program, its Youth Advisory Group and CREATE Your Future programs, and the Youth Care Packages Committee.

She is on the ACT Youth Advisory Council.

“My main purpose for joining the council was to advocate for young people in the out-of-home care system, the youth homelessness system, young people that are disengaged within the education system,” Ms Scarcella said.

Next year, she will be a youth advisor for the Children and Young People’s Commissioner.

She is also studying a Certificate IV in community services and youth work so that she can help young people in the out-of-home care system.

“When I was in the system, I had a worker who had her own lived experience. It was amazing for me as a young person to look at that worker, and think: ‘You’ve gone through so much, but you made something of yourself.’ I guess that’s the main thing to me. I want to be that young person that’s like, yeah, all this has happened, and I used to be like this, but you can take what you’ve gone through, and run with it, and actually make something of yourself…

“I’m just amazed at everything that happened – if I could go back and show younger me, younger teenage me, younger child me, a picture of myself today, I 100 per cent don’t think that she’d believe it. It’s just crazy to me.  I’m still trying to realise I’m not in a dream!”

The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recognises a person aged 12 to 25 who has made an outstanding contribution to the local Canberra community. Ms Scarcella said the award took her by surprise.

“It still hasn’t gone through my head properly. I wasn’t expecting to win at all. I actually didn’t even prepare a speech at all!

“I was just sitting there throughout the whole awards – [thinking] it was nice being nominated, but I’m not actually going to get any, especially once the Personal Achievement Award got called out; because I thought if I was going to be nominated for anything, it would have been [that award]. And then obviously I was the very last award that they called out – and as soon as they said my name, I just burst into tears!”

Ms Scarcella received the award because she is “a strong, passionate, capable community leader who provides a voice to those who may not be heard or receive representation,” the ACT Government stated.

“She is a young person who has overcome adversity and become an incredible mentor who inspires, motivates, and positively impacts hundreds of other young people in the ACT. Tayla has also achieved great success in turning her life experiences into positive change for herself and others.

“Tayla has and continues to excel in everything she does, particularly in her work in the community to advocate for and improve outcomes for young people in the Out of Home Care System (OOHC), community, and young people who face disadvantage or disconnection from family, education, and those most vulnerable in our community. She uses her personal experiences to advocate for social change, inclusion, and a fairer community for all young people who live in the ACT.

“Tayla has made significant contributions to the community through her volunteering, advocacy, and participation in community activities and groups to improve the lives of young people and the impact young people can have when they are fully included in our society.”

As Young Citizen of the Year, Ms Scarcella said, she hopes to raise awareness of issues and challenges that young people face that often get missed, and that she has experienced herself.

“I guess it’s why I’m doing what I’m doing – it’s 100 per cent not my fault what happened to me, but I definitely feel that it’s my responsibility to do something about that – I’m just passionate about making sure that young people get treated better and get their voices heard.”

The biggest issue, she says, is the lack of trauma-informed care.

“Had people been trauma informed or had trauma training when I was younger and facing some challenges, I feel like I would have been supported a lot better… That’s something I really want to see changed.”

Another is engagement with schooling.

“I was also disengaged with the education system, because of some challenges that I was facing at the time. I feel like the education system could do better at supporting young people in trauma.”

OTHER RECIPIENTS

Young Achiever Award recipient – Mr Ananth Ravi

This category recognises a young person aged 12 to 18 who has made a contribution to their local community through charity or voluntary work.

“Mr Ravi is an exceptional individual who excels across diverse domains, showcasing remarkable proficiency in academics, sports, arts, and community engagement. His dedication to community service exemplifies his commitment to making a positive impact on society. Ravi has achieved great success in his sporting career, and is also a youth mentor who gives back to the community through his involvement in the DARE (Developing Adolescent Resilience and Enterprise) program, which harnesses the strengths of teamwork and leadership through fitness, sport, and positive role modelling. He also contributes to the ACT community through a number of volunteering roles.”

Personal Achievement Award – Ms Jana Ayad

This category recognises an individual who has overcome adversity to achieve their life goals (such as issues related to family, culture, health or disability), has made an important contribution to society, and is an inspirational role model to others.

“Ms Ayad is a positive role model for young people to aspire to, and has contributed to the ACT through her personal efforts and by being actively involved in her school and sports the community. She is an active member of her school community as an SRC rep and a member of band and choir, and also supports a number of charitable caused with fundraising efforts of the school.”

Individual Community Service Award – Ms Rhianna Connors-Johnston

This category recognises young people who are working in the community sector, volunteering and / or social entrepreneurs, who are dedicated to the needs of others and seek innovative solutions to address social issues.

“Ms Connors-Johnston is a proud Ngambri/Ngunnawal woman who is an exceptional role model to her peers and the wider Indigenous community. She has and continues to excel in everything she does, particularly in her work in the community to advocate for and improve outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and young people who face disadvantage.”

Environment and Sustainability Award – Eco-délégués, Telopea Park School

This category recognises an individual and/or group of young people contributing to the community through innovation and sustainability.

“The Eco-délégués group has excelled in the field of sustainable development, composed of about 20 students from primary and secondary school (Australian and French streams) in a completely bilingual environment. The group has a strong commitment to creating and promoting waste-wise and green culture within their school environment through a number of programs and activities.”

Arts and Multimedia Award – Mr Daniel Bartholomaeus

This category recognises a group of young people or a young person who has demonstrated initiative, innovation and made a positive community contribution through multimedia/ social media, visual arts, performing arts, technical support, or music.

“Mr Bartholomaeus is an inspiring role model, he is passionate about helping others to reach their full potential, and is creating real change for young people with disabilities in Canberra through his art. Through his community work, he is a mentor and ambassador for neurodiversity and mental health, through collaboration with the Daydream Machine, a program for neuro-diverse young people who has participated in recordings for the United Nations Information Centre in Canberra, hosted art exhibitions, events, and art auctions for charities to assist others with mental health issues, people with disability, and the underprivileged through his art.”

Group Achievement Award – ANU Auslan Club

This category recognises a group of young people who have worked together to provide a service, program or project, which has resulted in positive, youth-led changes in the ACT community.

“ANU Auslan Club was developed and implemented in 2023, by a mix of hard-of-hearing and hearing student volunteers from the ANU, in collaboration with an Advisory Board from the Canberra Deaf Community, the club delivers small-group Auslan (Australian Sign Language) courses. The ANU AUSLAN Club has contributed significantly to the community and foster cohesion, understanding, and belonging.”

Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Youth Affairs, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. You have all made an exceptional impact on your local communities. All of Canberra is incredibly proud of you.

“I would especially like to acknowledge 2023 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, Tayla Scarcella. Tayla is using her skills to empower, guide, advise and inspire young people in our community. I look forward to seeing her achievements as she continues her advocacy and volunteering.”

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