Scarlett-Jean Cheetham has been named a finalist in the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards after years of community work, fundraising and marine conservation efforts in Gimuy (Cairns).

The 11-year-old is from Djiru and Djabugay Country and has Torres Strait Islander heritage from Boigu and Badu Islands.

She has been named a finalist in the Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Achievement Award category, with the awards to be held in Magandjin (Brisbane) on June 19.

Scarlett-Jean was also nominated for the 2026 Cairns Young Citizen of the Year Award and has received a Queensland Parliament Community Recognition Award for her service to the community.

Her extensive work has included donating Easter gift packs to a local women's shelter, school packs to School Savvy, Christmas gifts to children in hospital, essential packs to Mookai Rosie and hot meals and water to people experiencing homelessness in Gimuy.

She has also raised money for marine conservation, including $4000 to support the Great Barrier Reef through bake sales and chores, and has taken part in reef recovery work at Norman Reef and Moore Reef.

Scarlett-Jean said the Young Achiever Awards recognition had encouraged her to keep helping others.

"Being recognised as a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards means so much to me," Scarlett-Jean said.

"As an 11-year-old eco warrior, it makes me feel really proud that my efforts to help my community and Marine Conservation are being noticed.

"It shows that age doesn't matter and kids can make a real difference too."

Her community work began at a young age and has continued through annual giving projects, including spending Christmas Day supporting people living without shelter.

Scarlett-Jean said seeing people without basic needs made her want to act.

"I first wanted to help people in my community because I care a lot about other people," Scarlett-Jean said.

"I have a lot of empathy, and when I see people living without shelter, it makes me feel really sad and upset.

"This is why I love to help each Christmas Day by handing out hot food packs, fruit and cold water to people and hope it makes their day a little better."

Her work has since expanded into environmental causes, with a strong focus on the Great Barrier Reef, sea Country and marine life.

In 2025, she launched SJC Collective, using a manta ray as her brand logo, with hopes of one day developing it into a foundation.

Scarlett-Jean said she wanted the project to support more First Nations students entering marine science.

"My hope for SJC Collective is that it can keep growing," Scarlett-Jean said.

"One day, I would love to turn it into a foundation that supports Indigenous students who want to study marine biology.

"I think it's really important to have more First Nations people in marine conservation, especially because they have strong knowledge of Sea Country that has been passed down for generations."

Scarlett-Jean is now raising money for the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre through bake sales, handmade necklaces and other fundraising activities.

She has already raised $2915.65 toward a $5000 goal to support sick and injured sea turtles.

Her mother, Annabel Cheetham, said Scarlett-Jean's work came from a genuine place.

"As her mum, I am incredibly proud of Scarlett-Jean," Ms Cheetham said.

"Watching her lead with empathy, kindness, and determination at such a young age is truly special.

"What started as genuine care for people and the environment has grown into meaningful action, and she never does it for recognition — she does it because she believes it's the right thing to do and it makes her happy."

Ms Cheetham said Scarlett-Jean's community work had also helped her grow in confidence after experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks from about the age of five.

She said her role had been to support Scarlett-Jean's ideas and help turn them into action.

"My role has been to listen, support, and create space for her ideas to grow," Ms Cheetham said.

"I encouraged her passions, helped turn her ideas into action, and reminded her that she can be that person to make change.

"Watching her learn that through compassion, kindness and service has been the biggest part of her growth."

Across her projects, Scarlett-Jean has given back more than $10,000 to community causes, local families and marine conservation initiatives.

Her family said they hoped her story would encourage other young people to support their communities and care for the environment.