Celebrating Young Innovators: The Next Gen WA Showcase Event
The Fogarty Foundation was excited to attend the inaugural Next Gen Western Australia Awards, hosted by BOP Industries on 1 November at Bloom at Curtin University. The Awards are a dynamic new platform that celebrates the accomplishments of young talent and dedicated educators. As proud sponsors of this event, in collaboration with the Spacecubed Innovative Society Initiative (which includes funding support from Lotterywest), we are thrilled to support our innovative youth and teachers in Western Australia.
What are the Next Gen WA Awards?
The Fogarty Foundation’s involvement in the Next Gen WA Showcase Event is a tribute to the spirit of innovation and the dedication of our state’s future leaders. It’s not merely an awards ceremony; it’s a validation of the talented youth and education driving Western Australia forward.
At the core of the Next Gen WA Showcase Event lies a celebration of excellence. It spotlights and applauds the top three finalists in each of its six award categories, recognising their ideas, commitment and hard work.
Award Winners
The Next Gen WA Showcase Event featured six diverse award categories designed to acknowledge excellence across a wide range of talent and expertise. The Foundation would like to congratulate all the shortlisted applicants and this year’s winners, the latter who are:
- WA Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Meenakshisundaram Srinivasan
- WA Young Innovator of the Year: Felix Abbott
- WA Young Leader of the Year: Stephanie Beaumont
- WA Innovative Educator of the Year: Michael Openshaw
- National Innovative Educator of the Year: Michelle Fitzpatrick
- National Gen Z of the Year: Kshithij Chandrashekar
We are particularly thrilled that the contribution of two talented individuals from Western Australia – student Kshithij Chandrashekar and educator Michelle Fitzpatrick – achieved national recognition, as part of BOP Industries’ National Next Gen Awards, underscoring the calibre of our local talent on a broader stage.
About the Foundation
The Fogarty Foundation, known for our ripple-inspired logo, sponsors several initiatives like the Next Gen Western Australia Showcase Event, ensuring that, much like a ripple, change starts small and has a lasting impact outward. This event, featuring a wide range of award categories and a distinguished panel of judges, truly lived up to its promise as a source of inspiration and celebration.
To learn more about the Awards and winners – or to watch the recording of the event – please visit the Next Gen Awards website.
