City of Melton Youth Fest Brilliant and Beyond Celebration
The Brilliant and Beyond Celebration is a youth-led event that recognises the outstanding contributions of young people to the Melton municipality and celebrates their leadership, cultural connections, creativity, and commitment to diversity.
Young people, community members, and professionals are invited to nominate young individuals whose significant contributions have made a positive impact on the local community. These nominees will be recognised during the celebration for their achievements and dedication.
The event showcases youth leadership, community contributions, creativity, and innovation through a vibrant program of performances, live music, dance, art, and food, celebrating the talent, diversity, and achievements of young people across the municipality.
Come along to The Brilliant and Beyond Celebration event:
When: Friday, 11 September 2026
Where: Plumpton Community Centre, 19 Pear Parade, Fraser Rise 3336
Time: 5pm - 9pm
Bookings essential
Book Now!
Nominations
Nominations are now open!
The City of Melton Youth Fest Recognition celebrate the achievements, talents and contribution of the young people aged 12-25 who live, study, work, play or volunteer in our community.
Young people across our city lead projects, create art, excel in their studies and sport, and give their time to make their communities stronger, often without recognition. These recognitions are to celebrate young people and their contributions, to shine a light on the role models who inspire those around them and to say thank you on behalf of our community.
Nominating is a simple but meaningful way for the community to say to a young person, “we see you, what you do matters.”
So much of what young people do goes unrecognised, and the people best placed to notice it are those around them. Nominators can be any person associated with the nominee through school, work, religious affiliation, sports, club, coaches, mentors, and/or others. Please note: parents and/or relatives are not permitted to nominate their own family member.
Nominations for the 2026 Youth Fest Recognition close: Friday 14 August 2026 at 10am.
Who is eligible for nomination?
- Any young person between 12-25 years of age who lives, works, volunteers or attends school in the City of Melton can be nominated.
- Nominees can be entered into more than one category. A separate entry form must be completed for each category.
- Nominators must not be related to the young person they are nominating.
- Nominees must agree to the nomination and attend the Youth Fest Recognition event.
All nominations must be made using the Melton City Council Online Youth Fest Recognition Application Form, and paper-based applications will not be accepted. Council staff are available to assist in submitting online applications, and interpreters can be arranged with sufficient notice.
Nominate Now
Nominate a young person aged 12-25 years of age who lives, works, volunteers or attends school in the City of Melton.
The judging process
Nominations will be assessed based on eligibility and entry criteria, then scored by an assessment panel made up of two Youth Advisory Committee members and one Young Communities team member. All recognition recipients will be contacted in writing via email. The judging process will be finalised by 21 August 2026.
Youth Fest Recognition event
Winners will be celebrated at a Youth Fest Recognition event scheduled to be held on Friday 11 September 2026.
Youth Fest Recognition categories
There are six recognition categories, and an overall winner will also be selected by judges:
- Leadership
For a young person who steps in, brings people together and creates positive change. This might lead a group, project or campaign, mentor others, advocate for an issue they care about, or simply inspire the people around them to be their best.
- Creative Arts
For a young person with outstanding talent and dedication in the creative arts including music, visual art, dance, drama, film, photography, design or writing. We're looking for creativity, commitment to their craft, and the way they share their art with others. (This category combines art and music.)
- Academic Excellence
For a young person who shows exceptional commitment to their learning. This isn't only about top marks, it's about curiosity, perseverance and improvement, and using their knowledge to make a difference, especially where they've overcome challenges to achieve.
- Sports
For a young person who excels in sport, through outstanding individual or team achievement, great sportsmanship, dedication to training, or by encouraging participation and inclusion in their sporting community.
- Community Service
For a young person who has shown dedication to supporting their community through exceptional service and leadership.
- All-Rounder
For a genuinely well-rounded young person who shines across several areas of life at once, for example combining academic achievement with sport, leadership with the arts, or study with significant engagement in community service. This category recognises the young person who can't be captured by a single category.