Lions District 201N1

From sweeping plains to jewel seas

Youth of the Year

Resources · District 201N1 · Youth Programs

Youth of the Year

The Lions Youth of the Year (YOTY) program is one of Australia's most prestigious youth leadership competitions, running for over 50 years. It recognises and develops young Australians aged 15–18 across leadership, community service, academic achievement, public speaking, and citizenship.

District 201N1 YOTY Coordinator

Lenise Walker

0429 680 403  ·  lenise11@bigpond.com
Boggabri Lions Club  ·  Contact Lenise for all District 201N1 YOTY enquiries.

↗ Lions Australia YOTY
A program with a proud track record Many high-profile Australians are among the ranks of former YOTY entrants, including former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, ABC journalist Sabra Lane, and Queensland Senator Simon Birmingham — evidence of just how far this program can take a young person.

Eligibility

Who can enter

  • Australian high school students
  • Aged 15 and under 19 at 30 June in the year of the national final
  • Students of Colleges of Advanced Education undertaking secondary studies are also eligible
  • One club-level entry per student per year

What judges look for

  • Academic achievement
  • Leadership qualities
  • Community service and involvement
  • Sporting or cultural achievement
  • Public speaking ability
  • Citizenship and character

Competition format

Each participant is assessed on three components:

Personal interview

  • Covers achievements, goals, and leadership qualities
  • Assessors look for self-awareness, community commitment, and maturity

Prepared speech

  • On a topic of the participant's own choice
  • Demonstrates research, structure, and delivery

Impromptu questions

  • Two questions on the spot
  • Tests the ability to think clearly under pressure

Public speaking award

  • Awarded separately to the most outstanding speaker
  • A participant can win both YOTY and the public speaking award

Competition levels

1
Club level Participants compete at their local sponsoring Lions Club. Judging typically takes place between September and February.
2
Zone level Club winners compete against other club winners within their zone.
3
Region level Zone winners progress to compete at region level.
4
District level The best candidates from across District 201N1 compete for the district title. District finals are typically held in February–March.
5
State level District winners represent their district at state level.
6
National final State winners compete for the national title at the Lions Multiple District Convention, held in April or May each year.

Prizes & recognition

Prizes are awarded at all levels. The national prizes are:

$5,000 National Youth of the Year Paid on the occasion of the winner's 18th birthday. May also include international travel or leadership development opportunities.
$2,500 National Public Speaking Award Paid on the occasion of the winner's 18th birthday. Awarded to the most outstanding speaker across all national finalists.
Everyone is a winner. Prizes and titles are not what defines this program. The skills, confidence, networks, and recognition that participants gain at every level are genuinely life-changing — and provide a significant advantage for university applications, scholarships, and future careers.

Program timeline 2025–26

  • Jun – Jul 2025Program begins. Lions clubs identify and approach schools and youth groups to sponsor entrants.
  • Sep – FebClub-level judging takes place. Entrants submit entry forms digitally through their sponsoring Lions club.
  • Feb – Mar 2026Zone, Region, and District level competitions.
  • Apr – May 2026National final at the Lions Multiple District Convention.

How to enter

Students should contact their local Lions club to express interest and submit an entry form. Entry forms must be completed digitally. If you don't have a local Lions club contact, reach out to the District YOTY Coordinator directly:

Contact Lenise Walker — 0429 680 403  ·  lenise11@bigpond.com
Clubs can also download entry forms, guidelines, and promotional materials from the Lions Australia YOTY page.
!

Entry fee — $130 per entry. Contact Lenise Walker first before making payment. Fees are paid via the ANZ account (BSB 012 834 · Account 4901 54407) — include your Club Name and/or Club ID as the payment reference. See the District Banking page for full details.