Nicholas Steepe, 21, has won the La Trobe University local legend category of the foundation’s 2015 Unleashed Awards, part of its annual festival supporting social change to make “our country a better place”.

Mr Steepe stepped into the Dubbo spotlight this year to promote marriage equality and lobby for more support for its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) residents, eventually obtaining membership of the city’s community services committee.

A full-time community development officer at headspace Dubbo, he is the LGBTI representative on the not-for-profit Connected Communities Project that aims to reduce rates of suicide and attempted suicide in rural areas.

Mr Steepe is also the driving force behind its Rainbow Alliance that eases LGBTI social isolation through functions and meetings.

Recently it secured a $1000 grant from the Mental Health Association NSW to stage a pride march at Dubbo on October 31.

The foundation acknowledged Mr Steepe’s work when presenting him with a trophy in Melbourne’s Federation Square on Friday night.

On Tuesday he was back at Dubbo praising others.

“It’s not simply me doing all of this,” he said.

“It is a very collaborative approach and change does occur when everyone gets behind it.

“All the members of the Rainbow Alliance and the amazing team at headspace Dubbo help me, mentor me, assist me and support me in doing all the work.”

Mr Steepe will be in Sydney on Wednesday night as a finalist in the 2015 Honour Awards which acknowledge outstanding service and achievement within NSW’s LGBTI community.

He was nominated by headspace Dubbo clinical leader Ann-Maree Hartley who founded the Connected Communities Project.