Thank you to all participants!
We asked the Northern Beaches youth to portray their life and experiences through photos. The photos align with one of our 8 themes explored in Youth Voice- Shaping the Beaches' Future: safety, mental health, economic security, participation, equity, housing, belonging and connection.
If you have any questions, please contact the KALOF Youth Team on 8495 5428 or via email.
Congratulations to the overall winner of the competition - Mackenzie Wolfe. View the winners announcement
Final entries....
"I like the Creative Space cause it gives artists the opportunity to show their passions"
Jennifer Bilton
"Playing with my little brother Henry at Delwood, my local beach, makes me feel I belong."
Betty Thompson
"I chose this photo because I feel connected to the waves, the beach and my friends when I go there, it’s my happy place."
James Clark
"A photo of me with my best friend on a swing in the sunset, enjoying life in the wonderful northern beaches."
Mason Barns
"Everything deserves a home, even a little scary spider."
Alexander Kosack
"Many people lack access to money because it is locked away and unavailable preventing them from living life."
Keira Osborn
"Sometimes all people need to do in life is take a walk along the beach and clear their minds."
Keira Osborn
"Some puppies and animals can always make your mind feel at ease."
Keira Osborn
"Two become one. Together shooting hoops. Reaching for the stars."
Kate Burke
"Fitness in the dark. Soccer under flood lights at St Matts."
Kate Burke
"COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the mental health of society. By channelling your stress into a world of detail, anxiety can be relieved."
Thomas Mikhail
"Sport is all about participation. No one plays sport alone. Basketball draws my family together, as it does in many other Northern Beaches households."
Thomas Mikhail
"These bowls represent equity in our household and the privilege that most homes get to experience on the Northern Beaches."
Thomas Mikhail
"This photo shows how I love sunsets. It also represents how the sun set on my first job and rose with my current job."
Mikey Paterson
"The sunrise at Monavale Beach is always breathtaking, the sun slowly rising over the horizon marks a new day."
Linus Wang
"The golden aura of the sun rising from the horizon early in the morning fills me with a certain warmth and appreciation for living here."
Linus Wang
"Catching up with friends to watch the sunrise. We’re so lucky for this place to hang out. I feel relaxed and connected with nature there."
Jordan Roxburgh
"'Look out, animals about.' I have a strong connection with nature and love that there is such an abundance of plant and animal life."
Oliver
"This little dwarf tree frog from Warriewood Wetlands represents the strong sense of belonging I have living in the northern beaches."
Oliver Czerwenka
"Watching the safety these little critters feel around our home is the safety I feel living in the northern beaches."
Oliver Czerwenka
"strength in friendship - hold on tight and enjoy the ride."
Oliver Czerwenka
Blending into my environment makes me feel safe just like this little crab at Warriewood Beach.
Arabella Czerwenka
"Walking with our precious 17 year old Bailey up along the Long Reef headland makes me feel like I belong."
Arabella Czerwenka
"Standing tall with friends - take the challenge and be proud of your achievements."
Arabella Czerwenka
"These amazing birds show a strong connection with each other and they represent the strong connection I feel within the northern beaches community."
Arabella Czerwenka
"This Photo was taken in a emotional difficult time. The sky helps me get out of my head and into my presence. remember to be greatful for what you get."
Ida Rosenthal
"Mental health is a great concern for teens on the Northern Beaches, looking out to the ocean is a great escape to think and destress."
Linus Wang
"This droplet belong perfectly on this leaf, just like every does in society"
Fynn Gardner
"If birds can't build a nest provide one for them everyone and everything deserves a home."
Emilia Sachs
"Doing yoga and reading at the same time is the best for your mental health."
Emilia Sachs
"A connection between you and a pet is all you need to be happy."
Emilia Sachs
"The area guarded by Collaroy lifeguards guiding us to a safe time on the Northern Beaches."
James Godsell
"School zone keeping children on the Northern Beaches safe."
James Godsell
"This photo is of my friend when we went to Shelly Beach looking over at Manly Beach which looks like a small city."
Nishka Tolani
"Me and my friends while going home from school were taking a picture of a picture etc."
Nishka Tolani
"These photos mean a lot to me because this is where I live and everyday I feel inspired by how beautiful the view is!"
Bella McNee
"This photo was taken just before the sun set in manly. It means to me that we are so lucky to be alive!"
Bella McNee
"This butterfly is a symbol of peace to me and makes me feel at home and calm."
Bella McNee
"This was taken on Mother’s Day to remind me how lovely my mum is just like this lovely picture!"
Bella McNee
"All the School boys encouraging participation and all enjoying their lives despite the poor weather."
Leon
"During lockdown, me and my sister went on daily walks."
Nishka Tolani
"A nest is a chickens first home, they are a safe place where we can grow and lear."
Alexander Kosack
"Two Birds taking shelter on a wind sill never leaving each others side."
Jess
"Going to the beach is good for my mental health and participating in small activities like building a mound."
Jess
"I find looking at places from above helps me to see the reality of problems in comparison to nature, creating a comforting bliss of perspective."
Lauren Muriti
"This image portrays my ‘belonging’ associated with the Beaches as I have never seen it from an elevation before, hence why I took this photo."
Samuel Perri
"I believe that this image I’ve taken demonstrates the connection between people and nature."
Byron McLoughlin
"I recently tested the new, beachfront bike path in front of Dee Why and enjoyed a spectacular view whilst safely riding my bike."
Allegra Bruchet
"Cool crystals, crackling candles and aromatic diffusers always help you relax and wind down after a stressful day."
Allegra Bruchet
"This photo is meant to symbolise depression and sadness but also there is always hope."
Lily Streckeisen
"Every time I see the sun and sunset it reminds me of my parents."
Anaya Rogan
"This shows that money is not available for all."
Saskia Grace Mold
"The cat fits the little bed perfectly and is comfy. That's how everyone should feel in their home"
Saskia Grace Mold
"This bird has a strong connection to its land and isn’t even bothered by the people surrounding him."
Saskia Grace Mold
"When I am with Tiger (my cat) is when I am the most happy and I feel like I belong"
Jordan Roxburgh
"Nothing beats being able to celebrate an Aussie Christmas at the beach on the Northern Beaches"
Lauren Muriti
"These ducks portray the harmonious nature of sharing their home equally, portraying how we should strive to treat our neighbour equally with respect."
Lauren Muriti
"The reflective nature of Narrabeen Lake conveys the importance of it's balanced ecosystem, highlighting the need for locals to care for it."
Lauren Muriti
"The waves whispers to me: choose the simple things and find joy in national treasures, then life and living won't be so hard."
Mackenzie Wolfe
"I love walking around Narrabeen Lake with my 'ferocious' guard dog, Coco to keep me safe."
Mackenzie Wolfe
"This was taken when I entered our lovely country, Australia from a trip overseas."
Bella McNee
"This is my other dog and she also means the world to me."
Bella McNee
"This photo highlights the positive involvement of our community actively participating in the Beach2Beach Fun Run, even with an early morning start."
Lauren Muriti
"It’s been a rainy season, but there’s always light (or a rainbow) at the end of the tunnel."
Yindi Schiphof
"Just strangers, surfing together under the same rainbows"
Yindi Schiphof
"Clouds are a reminder that with enough patience, even the darkest of days can end in golden sunsets."
Yindi Schiphof
"We all experience rainy days, but if you know how to look, you can find beauty everywhere."
Imogen Cooper
“Be like a dandelion, whenever they fall apart they start again.”
Mackenzie Wolfe
"I feel connected and this is a beautiful experience."
Bella McNee
"Everyone requires different levels of help to create a truly equal society. The photo represents giving people extra help to achieve what they want."
Sam Kosack
"This kookaburra often comes to our house & sits on our balcony & over time i have developed a connection to it"
Josh Lockwood
"The police helicopter watching over Freshie beach is like a guardian angel protecting the swimmers and surfers."
Josh Lockwood
"This water monitor often comes to my backyard , overtime i have connected with it making me feel a sense of belonging"
"The Dee Why beach pool is important to my mental health as i love swimming there."
Josh Lockwood
"Friends gain meaningful connections having fun at a carnival."
Gemma Willis
"Equity means sharing with others, and having fun with it too!"
Bezi Saunders
"Photo of an empty street describes a vivid sense of silent loneliness."
Jacky Li
"Photo of a bus interior highlights the loneliness of urbanisation."
Jacky Li
"This photo shows how we have so much beautiful housing on the northern beaches, and how so little of it is financially attainable for youth to buy."
Bezi Saunders
"The old firehouse has served our community with a sense of safety and protection for the past 91 years."
Ainslie Bennett
"The ocean let’s you feel free and gliding along it does exactly that."
Jess Muir
"Shows a connection to past family who served and sacrificed their youth for future generations."
Ainslie Bennett
"My work depicts the need for more sustainable housing across the Northern Beaches."
Amber Dekell
"This photo was taken at my favourite beach during sunset, Freshwater, where I feel like I most belong"
Isabelle Stapf-Giannakis
"Bikes provide environmentally friendly transportation allowing for connection across the beaches."
Amber Dekell
"My photograph illustrates issues the youth of the Northern Beaches have in obtaining a secure living environment."
Adam Dekell
"Relaxing in the glow of the moon and listening to the rhythm of the waves gives me peace"
Ainslie Bennett
"Wakehurst U15/1 Boys participating in a game of soccer on a warm Saturday morning."
Sam Moxham
