Mr Owen, who now lives in Gosford, has been nominated for the Freemasons of NSW/ACT Community Service Award for his charity work supporting kids in isolated and regional areas across Australia, as well as the Ausgrid Indigenous Achievement Award for his commitment to Indigenous communities.

"I'm just so thrilled and humbled to be nominated for this year's Community Service Award and Indigenous Achievement Award recognising the efforts of Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids and the Aboriginal community," he said.

"The charity has grown in leaps and bounds in the last year and has been so widely supported.

"I grew up in an isolated town myself in Albert, 140km west of Dubbo, as the only child in a town of just 12 people.

"To be able to do my bit to help kids in areas sometimes forgotten about, who are hurting due to so many challenging due to circumstances beyond their control is incredibly gratifying."

"As a proud Wiradjuri man, I'm also greatly honoured to be nominated, for Indigenous Achievement.

I lend support to Aboriginal families when I can and make an effort when I speak to kids to encourage children, particularly Aboriginal children, to dream big and never give up, which is an important message for them to hear."

Mr Owen is one of four finalists in each category, with the winners to be announced during the awards gala presentation on Friday, April 30, 2021.

Young Achievers are judged in categories such as creative design, small business achiever, academic achievement and leadership.

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