In brief:

• Nip Wijewickrema was awarded Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2014.
• Nip is the co-founder of GG’s Flowers, a social enterprise employing people with a disability.
• Nominations for Young Canberra Citizen of the Year close on 30 September 2024.

In 2014 Nip Wijewickrema was named the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year. The award recognised her work co-founding GG’s Flowers – a social enterprise employing people with disability.

Ten years on from the award, Nip is still changing the world one flower at a time.

“I'm still so passionate about meaningful employment for people with a disability,” she explains.

Nip started the business to support her younger sister Gayana, who has Down Syndrome. She wanted to make sure Gayana would have support in the workplace and a chance to become more independent. Nip has grown GG’s Florist to a successful business spreading colour and joy across Canberra.

“I feel like I have lived a lifetime in the last 10 years,” Nip says.

“When I won the award, I was just freshly 21 and had no idea what the world had in store for me.”

Being named Young Canberra Citizen of the Year gave Nip a helping hand at an important time.

“Having the honour of being a Young Canberra Citizen was life affirming and really helped me on the journey to chase the stars in social enterprise land,” she explains.

“Social entrepreneurs often don't have a long shelf life. It's a hard industry and almost impossible to remain profitable and viable as the years go on. Being able to fly that flag for 10 years is truly so wonderful.”

So, 10 years on what does life look like?

“I'm still working at GG's Flowers, helping the team send beautiful flowers and gift hampers and create innovative NDIS disability support,” Nip says.

“I'm wearing the same pink uniform and having a blast doing so! I can proudly say I still absolutely adore my job and love getting up every morning with purpose.”

Each year the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year recognises an outstanding individual aged 12 to 25 who is:

* is an exceptional role model

* has championed youth issues

* has significantly contributed to the ACT.

Nip has words of advice to offer anyone thinking of nominating an outstanding young person this year.

“I truly believe in acknowledging our unsung heroes to help them create good in our community. I know no one does good things for recognition, but if the recognition can help you do better and create social good – then go for it!”

Nominations for Young Canberra Citizen of the Year are open to 30 September 2024. Find out more or make a nomination.

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