A 23-year-old using sports to empower and improve the lives of the disadvantaged has been named Tasmania's Young Achiever of the Year.
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Matthew Etherington, of Sandy Bay, was presented with the prestigious award by Premier Will Hodgman during a ceremony held at Wrest Point on Friday night.
Mr Etherington helps promote healthier communities through the Big Issue Community Street Soccer Program.
Among his many achievements, he also organised a mental health first aid initiative at UTAS to prepare over 330 students to exercise self-care, promote mental health and encourage peer support.
Campbell Remess, of Acton Park, was also announced as winner of the People's Choice and Community Service and Volunteering award.
The 14-year-old has handmade and gifted over 1700 bears to children worldwide through his initiative Project 365 by Campbell.
He has also released two books encouraging children to follow their dreams.
"It is a great pleasure to be here tonight with everyone, all of you in this category," he said, while accepting the award.
"This is awesome and I would like to thank everyone in this room.
"It is not just me, it is all of you guys who are helping change the world."
Established in 1989, the Young Achiever Awards aim to acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of all young people under 30.
Category winners:
- Alex Morris Baguley, 28, of Leslie Vale - Colony 47 Transition to Work award
- Campbell Remess, 14, of Acton Park - Heather and Christopher Chong Community Service and Volunteering award
- Elias Solis, 29, of New Town - Spirit of Tasmania Tourism and Hospitality
- Karita Casimaty, 29, of Moonah - TADPAC Print Service to the Disability Sector award
- Zac Romagnoli-Townsend, 25, of Nubeena - Dental South Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement award
- Matthew Etherington, 23, of Sandy Bay - St.LukesHealth Healthier Communities award
- Grace Birchall, 24, of Shearwater - UTAS, Faculty of Education Teaching Excellence award
- Samuel Watson, 18, of Ulverstone - First National Real Estate Leadership
- Daniel Watkins, 23, of Grove - Motors Tasmania Sports award