A MT ELIZA teenager who gave up his time during year 12 to create positive outcomes in the Mornington community has been nominated for a young achiever award.
Finn Mackay, 18, volunteered at Mornington MP Chris Crewther’s office last year, helping with administrative tasks and various community projects including beach hand cleaning. For his efforts, he’s now in the running for the 2024 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards under the community award category for Victoria. The awards aim to recognise leadership, dedication and pursuit of excellence among young people up to 29 years of age.
Mackay, who was 17 at the time of volunteering while attending Balcombe Grammar, said he had a passion for helping the community and felt like a “change from school”. “I just felt like going out and putting my hand up, and I just want to do something different.”
Crewther, who made the nomination, praised the teen’s commitment, noting his involvement led to “achieving positive outcomes for constituents and local community groups, as well as in the council elections through his dedication”. “Finn is an outstanding young person. He is bright and passionate about making a difference in the world around him. He approached my office as a state member of parliament for work experience of his own volition,” Crewther said. “He was successful doing that over a few months a couple of days a week after school hours.”
Mackay said he enjoyed everything from office duties to writing speeches and getting hands-on where he could in the community – which also contributed to his work experience hours at school. Asked if he aspired to get into politics one day, he said, “yes, maybe”, but added he was keeping his options open as he currently undertook a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation at Chisholm Frankston. “It’s a pre-apprenticeship course so just trying to figure out whether I like it or not … I’ve deferred uni until next year, so I might do a business course,” he said.
In the meantime, Mackay said the award nomination came as a surprise but felt humbled and honoured. “Chris just emailed me out of nowhere and then 7News was emailing me. Very unexpected.”
Judging for the awards begins on 27 March with finalists presented and winners announced at an award gala presentation dinner on 14 June.
Category winners will each receive $2000 in prizes and a trophy. One of the category winners will be named the 2024 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year and will also receive a state trophy.
First published in the Frankston Times – 18 February 2025
