Betty Makin Awards 2025
Recognise a young person, youth worker or service by Friday 28 March.
Betty Makin Youth Awards
Celebrating the positive contributions of young people in the City of Sydney local area.
Calling all young people, youth workers and youth services making a difference in our communities – you deserve to be recognised.
Whether you’re creating epic art, standing up for what’s right, leading, inspiring or breaking barriers, the Betty Makin Youth Week Awards are all about acknowledging you.
Be recognised for your impact in community work, creativity or making spaces more inclusive.
Know someone amazing? Nominate them today.
Award categories
Youth
- Community
- Equity, inclusion and diversity
- Creative
Youth workers and services
- Youth Worker of the Year
- Youth Service of the Year
Prizes
Youth category winners will each receive a $500 voucher. Youth Worker of the Year and Youth Service of the Year winners will receive a trophy.
The winners will be invited to and announced at the awards night on Tuesday 15 April at Redfern Town Hall as part of the City of Sydney’s Youth Week in the City program.
The Betty Makin Youth Awards pay tribute to the local community leader by recognising the vital role of activism and service in our communities.
About Betty Makin (1926–1993)
Betty was born in Waterloo and lived in the Redfern area all her life. She was an active volunteer in many community groups. Her tireless work improved the lives of countless Redfern and Waterloo residents, and fostered a strong community spirit.
Compassionate, honest, feisty and practical, Betty was a straight talker who wasn’t afraid to speak up to get things done.
Betty was ahead of her time and believed women should have the same education and career opportunities as men. She advocated for incarcerated mothers, fighting for their right to keep their babies until they had bonded.
For many years she worked with the Community Youth Support Scheme Committee and was instrumental in setting up The Fact Tree Youth Service, a drop-in centre that continues to help young people in Waterloo today.
