AWARDS NIGHT

Seven of Australia's emerging creative innovators were awarded the chance of a lifetime at the 2009 Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards, walking away with $10,000 in cash and flights, and connections to the international creative leaders who will help guide their careers.

The SOYA 2009 Awards Night was be held on November 11, 2009, in the Foundation Hall of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. The awards drew an impressive crowd of Australia¹s established cultural leaders and the new generation of creative minds. Fashion designers, media-makers, entertainers and artists gathered to celebrate the 21 finalists whose creative work stood out from the tens of thousands of submissions entered in SOYA this year.

Other highlights of the evening included an interactive exhibition showcasing the works of the 21 emerging talents competing for the Awards.

Finalists from the fashion design category also showcased their much-admired designs with a live model installation featuring some of Australia¹s hottest new looks.High-profile SOYA mentors including film director and esteemed actress Rachel Ward, renowned fashion designers Simone and Nicky Zimmermann, and internationally acclaimed music label boss Stephen Pavlovic from Modular Recordings were also in attendance to present awards to the winners in their categories.