The biennial Cowra Youth Peace Award is returning in 2025.
An initiative of the Cowra World Peace Bell Association, the Award aims to recognise young people in the Cowra Shire who have demonstrated strong community leadership and embody the ideals of peace through their actions and relationships with others.
The Cowra Youth Peace Award is a biennial honour established through a partnership between the Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association, Cowra Council, and the Rotary Club of Cowra. It recognises outstanding young people who are aged between approximately 14 and 25 who live, work, or study in the Cowra Shire, and who embody peace through meaningful community leadership, respectful relationships, and positive influence in local life
The Award is presented around World Peace Day each September, during the Cowra Peace Day Dinner. It complements a program of activities including a youth peace forum, public speaking competitions, and the world-famous Cowra Peace Bell ceremony in Civic Square. These events foster awareness of peace, reconciliation, and international harmony at a grassroots level.
In 2023, the Award was presented to Samuel Haeata. Sam was widely admired for his extensive volunteering with PCYC, Cowra High School, and local sporting clubs; his empathetic attitude, community work, and infectious positivity stood out. Over the preceding years he had also worked at Kendal Street Café and coordinated games nights for people living with disabilities through Inception Services. His peers and community described Sam as a role model in demonstrating mateship, friendship, and helpfulness, earning him the Cowra Youth Peace Award at the Peace Day dinner held on 19 September 2023
The 2025 award is open to nominees aged 14-24yrs who live, work or study in the Cowra Shire.
Online nominations are now open via Cowra Council's website, or for further information, please contact Council's Community Development Team on 6340 2064 or email: communityprojects@cowra.nsw.gov.a
Nominations will be accepted until 4PM Friday 5 September 2025
Award nominees will be invited to attend the 2025 Cowra Peace Day Dinner for the Award Presentation as guests of the Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association.