Inspirational educational officer, Rhett Burraston was announced as the winner of the Santos Indigenous Achievement Award at the 2015 NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards on Saturday night.
Awards were presented to outstanding young people in a variety of areas including community service, science, fashion, environment and innovation.
A stunned Rhett was then chosen from the category winners as overall NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year.
Rhett, from Airds in Sydney’s south-west, implements rehabilitation and leadership programs in his role as Aboriginal education officer at a school located within a juvenile detention centre. He volunteers in many programs including Aboriginal Medical Services, and says he is passionate about breaking down barriers of depression, racism and elitism.
The twenty-three year old advocates for Aboriginal youth on many committees including the NSW Youth Advisory Council, Oxfam’s Change Course program and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Party. He has twice been recognised as the NAIDOC Macarthur Youth of the Year.
The Santos NSW team was proud to be associated with the awards and would like to congratulate Rhett, and all the finalists. It was a terrific night acknowledging the wonderful achievements of these amazing young Australians.
For more information on the awards and the winners visit www.awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/nsw.
Rhett Burraston. Winner of the Santos Indigenous Achievement Award with Santos’ Iain Burns