LOCAL artist, mentor, singer, performer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Nash has been shortlisted as one of 28 finalists for the 2013 WA Youth Awards.
The awards are presented by the Department for Communities and the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, and aim to recognise outstanding Western Australians between 12-25 years.
Humble, despite his many achievements so far, Gabriel said he was surprised he was shortlisted.
“I felt really privileged that I got noticed,” he said.
The work that led to his nomination includes his performances and leadership with JAMPACT (Just Artists and Musicians Performing Awesome Creations Together), and at charitable events like CanTEEN, Relay for Life and a concert to raise funds following the Queensland floods.
A member of Busselton Senior High School bands Jazz 1, Symphonic Wind 1, and vocal ensemble, Gabriel helps out with little sister’s T-ball team, and is a member of steadily-rising indie band, Needing Cherie.
All this, while juggling his ATAR this year.
Gabriel credits his family for the enormous support they have given.
“We’ve always been pushed to get up and give it a go, and that’s really affected me to help other people get up and give it a go too,” he said.
Proud mum, Lee Nash, says the family is overwhelmed by the acknowledgment and support from the community.
“He doesn’t do it for the acknowledgement, he does it because he loves it,” she said.
“He loves life, trying to have fun, and making other people happy and joyful.”
Gabriel was nominated for the award by his teacher, Viv Baddock.
“She’s always been the kind of person that’s been there and interested in what I’m doing,” he said.
Other teachers, mums from JAMPACT, and community members all wrote submissions to support the nomination, writing “awesome, amazing spiels” about him.
“I really appreciated that because I’m sure the way they put the words together helped with the nominations,” Gabriel said, adding he was overwhelmed by the support he has received, and happy he had a chance to thank them for all they’ve done.
He says he is unusually nervous about the awards night next month, but excited to see how it pans out.
“I feel extremely privileged to represent myself, my family, Dunsborough, and South West.”
All category winners will receive a $2000 prize, with the overall winner – the 2013 WA Young Person of the Year – receiving two return tickets to Europe.
