The King's Trust Australia is excited to announce the finalists of the inaugural King’s Trust Australia Awards 2025.

These national awards reflect The Trust’s emerging commitment to support youngpeople through education, employment, and enterprise pathways, while continuing to celebrate the successes of Australian Defence Force veteran and family entrepreneurs.

Michelle Endacott, Chief Executive of The King’s Trust Australia, said “These awards embody The King’s Trust Australia’s ambition over the next three years to help 5,000 young people discover who they are, what they’re living for, and how to make a living.”  

“We are celebrating the full spectrum of community-driven progress by recognising the inspiring efforts of young people and their supporters, as well as the achievements of veterans and their families in business.” 

Congratulations to The King’s Trust Australia Award 2025 finalists  - 

Commonwealth Bank Business of the Year Award
The peak award recognising the outstanding efforts of veterans, ADF partners and spouses in business:
- Jeremy Holder
- Roger Weeks
- Matthew Moseley and Peter Liston

‍

Ministry ofthe Future Young Achiever Award: 
‍Recognising the outstanding achievements of a young person aged 16 - 35 years old who has participated in a programme associated with The King’s Trust Australia:
- Lana McMurdo
- Malachi Matoe
- Tobias Prior.

‍

The Saab Australia Rising Star Award
Recognising the outstanding efforts of a veteran orAustralian Defence Force  family business owner/operator 35 years old and under:
- Shannon Lemanski
- Ben Campbell
- Shannon Hennessy.

Veolia Sustainability Award
Recognising the outstanding achievements of an individual, project or business whose innovative work is having a positive impact on the environment or local community:
- Shannon Lemanski, Aqua Ubique
- Dominic Smith, Diramu Skincare
- Dr Adele Pile and Stuart Alexander, Great Barrier Reef Safaris.

The Paul Cross Educator of the Year Award
‍Recognising the outstanding efforts of educators, mentors, trainers, and facilitators working with young people within schools and non-school environments:
- Brett Salakas
- Catherine MacDougall
- Mariella Teuira.

Employer of the Year Award
‍Recognising the outstanding achievements of an employer or recruitment agency supportingyoung people from marginalised backgrounds into employment: 
- Hotel Etico
- WorkVentures
- Wugu Nyambil Ltd.

Meet the finalists here

The King's Trust Australia Awards is proudly supported by Gold Sponsor Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Silver Sponsors Veolia Australia and New Zealand and Saab Australia; Ministry of the Future and Paul Cross and Barry Janes. 

‍