Welcome to Lions Youth of the Year
The Lions Youth of the Year program has a proud history in encouraging and fostering leadership skills in Australian students approaching the end of their high school years. By emphasising qualities like contribution to the community and school, public speaking, academic skills, sporting and cultural involvement, Youth of the Year aims to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians.
If you are a young student and will be between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age as at the 30th of June in the year of the National Final, then you may be eligible to enter the Lions Youth of the Year. This is a prestigious event for young people, which boasts many high profile Australians among the ranks of former entrants. These include: Kevin Rudd; Peter Beattie, a past premier of Queensland; the ABC’s Sabra Lane and Senator Simon Birmingham. By entering the program, which is now in its 55th year, you will have an unequalled opportunity to experience an interview situation – in a friendly atmosphere – and a chance to practice your public speaking skills.
The best way to enter, is to talk to your local Lions Club. If you don’t know how to do this then please email the V6 District Chairman.
DISTRICT V6 CHAIRMAN: Jo Howell
Email: johowell.lion@gmail.com
Mobile: 0417 558 881
National Winner 2025
Jasper Robinson
Sponsored by
Lions Club of Fraser
CLICK HERE to see the 2025 competition
National Competition 2024
CLICK HERE to see a video of the 2024 competition in Darwin
Youth of Year Finals
The Lions Youth of the Year is aimed at all young people who seek to improve their skills before entering the workforce or other endeavors.
How to enter
Do you seek to gain experience in:
- Leadership
- Personal Improvement
- Sportsmanship
- Citizenship
- Community Involvement
- Public Speaking ?
The Lions Youth of the Year contest is aimed at all young people who seek to improve their skills before entering the workforce or other endeavours.
The Process
Youth of the Year begins in June/July and culminates with final judging and the announcement of the winners at the Multiple District Convention, normally held in May.
Levels of judging
- Club judging
- Zone judging ( in some Districts only )
- Regional judging
- District judging
- State finals
- National final
National final
The final judging will be held at the Lions Multiple District Convention in April or May.
Prizes / Awards
Various prizes are awarded to contestants at all levels throughout the Youth of the Year contest but that should not define the program. We state that ‘Everyone is a winner’ and that should be your key driver for participating. Whether you are 14 going on 15 or 17 going on 18, there is something for everyone by being involved.
The National Winner receives $5,000 on the occasion of their eighteenth birthday, while the Public Speaking winner receives $2,500 on the occasion of their eighteenth birthday.
Eligibility to Enter
Entry is open to youth who are attending or have attended a high school or secondary school or equivalent standard of school in any other educational establishment, including correspondence school, in the Lions year in which the National Final is to be conducted, who are over the age of 15 and under 19 years of age at June 30th, in the year of the final.
Note – Students of Colleges of Advanced Education, and equivalent institutions are eligible to participate if undertaking secondary studies.
Other than the above all other conditions governing participation apply. It is mandatory that entrants cannot compete at more than one Club level judging in any one year.
Lions Australia Child Safe Policy
Lions Australia members have a wealth of experience and are genuinely altruistic. Lions Australia at all times believe in the principle that the best interest of the child and young person is paramount. We are volunteers who are determined to do the best we can and be the best person we can be.
Lions Australia has adopted a Child Safe Policy governing the operation of our three national Youth activities. The Leo of the Year Program, Youth of the Year Program and Youth Exchange. The policy covers activities controlled at the Multiple District (National) level.
CHILD PROTECTION ACT & LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR – Please download the documents below and read them, all Clubs need to have this document as part of their Policy & Procedure manuals.
Lions Australia Child Safe Policy
Lions Australia Child Safe Policy FAQs
Please ensure that any Lions Member working with students / children under the age of 18 years have a current Working With Children’s Check relevant to the state/s you are conducting your program in. This is available free for Volunteers – you can apply online.
ALL NON-LION VOLUNTEERS involved in helping with the Youth of the Year Program, who will be working with children under the age of 18, must also have a current Working With Children Check.
For more information on Child Safety in Australia – CLICK HERE
Download Youth of the Year Manuals Here
Club Chairmans Manual
Regional Final Manual
District Final Manual
CLICK HERE for the most up to date information regarding the Youth of the Year Program and to download all necessary paperwork (as it’s a Members Only area, you will need a password)