Nyakeer Akoul is dedicated to eradicating discrimination and providing a voice for people marginalised in her community.
The 18-year-old’s hard work was recognised last week with a Brimbank council young citizen of the year award.
Despite tackling her final year of secondary school at Catholic Regional College in Sydenham last year, Nyakeer found time to attend community meetings almost daily for groups such as Brimbank’s youth events committee, the Western Young People Independent Network and Young Women’s Youth Leadership Group.
At an awards ceremony at Overnewton Castle last week, Nyakeer, who migrated to Australia in 2004, was described as a role model for South Sudanese migrants.
Nyakeer, who plans to study youth work at RMIT this year, was blown away by the award.
“It was absolutely fantastic. I was really nervous on the night but also excited,” she said.
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