At Masonic Care WA and Freemasons WA, we are proud to celebrate the outstanding young Western Australians selected as finalists in the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Community Service and Volunteering Award.
These remarkable individuals come from different backgrounds and experiences, yet they share a common commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through advocacy, volunteering, leadership and service, they are helping create stronger, more inclusive and more connected communities across Western Australia.
Luca Muir Anderson
Luca Muir Anderson has shown exceptional leadership through his commitment to preserving Western Australia’s military history while actively serving his community through a range of volunteer organisations.
As the founder of the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion Memorial, Luca has led efforts to honour and preserve the stories of thousands of Western Australian soldiers, raising more than $45,000 towards the creation of a memorial and historical archive. He has coordinated large-scale commemorative events involving schools, veterans and community groups, while also volunteering with Surf Life Saving WA, emergency services organisations and serving in the Australian Army Reserve.
Tayla Taseff
Tayla Taseff has become a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, dedicating countless hours to volunteering and community service. Through her work with Perth Children’s Hospital, Telethon and a range of disability advocacy initiatives, Tayla has used her lived experience to help create more accessible spaces and opportunities for people of all abilities.
As a long-time volunteer at Perth Children’s Hospital, Tayla is known for bringing joy and encouragement to children and their families, while also mentoring young patients navigating their own challenges. Through her platform, Accessibility With Tayla, she reviews venues, businesses and events, helping organisations identify ways to improve accessibility and inclusion. She has also raised more than $15,000 for Telethon through various fundraising efforts.
Oliver Lim
Living with a rare chronic health condition has not stopped Oliver Lim from becoming a powerful advocate for young people living with disability and chronic illness. Through public speaking, research collaborations, youth advisory roles and fundraising efforts, Oliver has worked tirelessly to improve awareness, accessibility and support for others facing similar challenges.
Oliver has contributed to research projects aimed at improving pain management and accessibility outcomes, while also sharing his story with schools, community organisations and health professionals. His advocacy and fundraising work has helped generate significant support for organisations including Telethon and Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA, while inspiring other young people to embrace their own journeys with confidence and resilience.
Emily Sullivan
Emily Sullivan is a passionate advocate whose work is helping reshape how disability and mental health are understood across the community. Through leadership roles, policy forums, mentoring programs and national campaigns, Emily has championed the voices of young people with lived experience and created opportunities for them to influence meaningful change.
One of Emily’s most significant achievements has been leading the co-design of the “Disabled. Deal With It” campaign, which challenges stereotypes surrounding disability and has reached audiences across Australia and beyond. Alongside her advocacy work, Emily mentors emerging young leaders and continues to use her own lived experience to drive improvements in mental health and disability services.
Joshua Yates
Joshua Yates has dedicated much of his young life to serving others through emergency services volunteering. As an active member of the State Emergency Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, and St John Ambulance, Joshua has contributed thousands of hours supporting communities during emergencies and natural disasters.
From local incidents in Margaret River to cyclone recovery deployments in Queensland and Western Australia, Joshua has consistently stepped forward when communities needed help most. His commitment to service, leadership and teamwork has seen him take on responsibilities well beyond what is expected of someone his age.
Recognising Outstanding Young Leaders
The Community Service and Volunteering Award celebrates young people who are creating positive change through dedication, leadership and service. Each of this year’s finalists has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening their communities.
The winners will be announced at the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday 3 July at the Pan Pacific Perth, where finalists, supporters and community leaders from across Western Australia will come together to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding young people.
Congratulations to Tayla, Oliver, Emily, Joshua and Luca on being recognised as finalists in the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. Reaching the finalist stage is a significant achievement and a testament to the impact each of you is making across Western Australia.
As proud supporters of the Community Service and Volunteering Award, Masonic Care WA and Freemasons WA wish all finalists the very best of luck. Every finalist should be incredibly proud of this recognition and the difference they continue to make in the lives of others and their communities.
To learn more about the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards program, visit the Awards Australia Website.
You can also read about previous recipients of the award and the incredible impact they have made across Western Australia, including 2025 Young Achiever Makes Us Proud and Masonic Award Winner Takes WA State Title.
