17c起草社区

JACOB Thomas becomes quite emotional when talking about a personal聽experience of overcoming the loss of a friend to suicide, the subsequent emotional breakdown and rebuilding their life to go on to become an outstanding member of the LGBTI community.

These are some of the reasons why Thomas is one of two Australians 鈥斅燼nd one of 60 across the Commonwealth 鈥斅爐o have just won a聽Queen鈥檚 Young Leaders award for 2016.

摆蝉丑辞飞补诲蝉听补诲=惭搁贰颁闭 “With this sort of stuff it’s not always a happy story that kicks it off,” Thomas tells聽the聽17c起草社区.

“In 2010 I lost a very dear friend to suicide… I was really shaken by that experience and it was entirely unexpected.”

After the suicide Thomas, who identifies as gender queer, had a breakdown. However, thanks to the support of some good friends Thomas was聽able to “rehabilitate himself” and decided to make a difference.

“That pain that I went through nobody should ever have to go through that in their life, or if they do have to go through that pain they are best looked after and are able to recalibrate their life,” Thomas聽says.

The 25-year-old went on to work with a number of businesses and organisations including and has been dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide in the LGBTI community.

It was for this work that Thomas won the Queen’s Young Leader Award, which recognises young people aged between 18 and 29 as exceptional leaders in their community聽who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference.

The was established as a four-year program in 2014 by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

The trust’s chief executive聽Dr Astrid Bonfield said: 鈥淥nce again we recognise not only what these amazing young people have achieved, but also their potential in changing people鈥檚 lives for the better in the countries and communities in which they live.鈥�

Some of our were pretty pleased when we told them the news! Watch:

鈥� Queens Young Leaders (@QueensLeaders)

Thomas self-nominated their work because they believe in “backing yourself and being your own champion”.

“You can’t be reliant on people being aware of the work that you’re doing,” Thomas says.

“The award is about recognising you have something to contribute.

“There’s a part of me that doesn’t wants to be noticed… it means that you can’t be impactful and you’re ability to contribute becomes limited.”

In June, Thomas heads over to London to be presented his award by Queen Elizabeth and says they are beyond excited about the prospect of meeting her.

“I’m pretty pumped, I will be honest,” they say.

“This is absolutely beyond my dreams of what I thought I’d be doing in my mid-20s.

“It’s been a hard slog, I honestly didn’t think I’d get to see my 21st birthday… and just over four years later to have this opportunity and go over to London.

“It’s just an incredibly humbling experience but absolutely humbling at the same time.”

If you or someone you know needs support and counselling please contact either聽: 1300 22 4636 or聽: 13 11 14