Sunshine Coast teenager Evie Marshall has won a state leadership award for her work to improve the lives of Australians with cystic fibrosis.
The 13-year-old took home the First National Real Estate Leadership Award on Friday, May 3 at the 7 News Young Achiever Awards in Brisbane.
Evie was honoured for her work successfully campaigning for Australians with cystic fibrosis, like herself, to have access to a life-extending medication called Orkambi.
Division 5 Councillor Jenny McKay attended the awards ceremony and cheered on Evie with all her might.
“I’m incredibly proud of the young Evie and all she’s done to achieve this Leadership Award,” said Cr McKay.
“To not only battle with her own challenging condition, but then to gather national support and successfully campaign to have this expensive medication made more affordable for everyone is such a remarkable feat for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old.
“I was blown away by Evie’s story, accomplishments and her glowing and humble personality.
“She’s one of the best representatives for the Sunshine Coast that I’ve ever met.”
Evie Marshall was delighted by the recognition and award, and pleasantly surprised by Cr McKay’s enthusiastic support.
“I was thrilled to share this evening with Cr McKay and my other fellow Sunshine Coasters,” said Ms Marshall.
“Everyone nominated for these awards have such wonderful achievements and it’s been exciting to meet some of them.
“I hope that this award will provide even more strength and momentum for my campaign to make life-extending medication more accessible to those with cystic fibrosis.”
Councillor McKay continued to praise the other Sunshine Coast residents at the awards ceremony.
“It was such an honour to celebrate this special accolade with Evie and her family, and to cheer on the five other Sunshine Coast nominees at the awards ceremony,” said Cr McKay.
Nominated for various other award categories were the following Sunshine Coast residents:
Emily Wells of Yandina Creek for the Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award
Dr Alayna Cole of Maroochydore for the iFly Online Achievement Award
Daniel Proctor of Sippy Downs for the Awards Australia Small Business Achiever Award
Michael Morgon of Sippy Downs for the LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award
Samara Welbourne of Minyama for the Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award.
The top award of Queensland Young Achiever of the Year went to Madina Mohmood, 22, of Redland Bay, who is dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of cultural diversity and empowering young women.
The Queensland Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of all young people up to and including 29 years of age (as of December 31 each year).
