This is not just any folder...

..this is a folder full of inspiration, affirmation and hope. It contains details of all the hundreds of entries for the national awards for young people that we run where I work.

We were shortlisting today - a task that is both joyful and hard in equal measure. Hard, because every single nominee is worthy of an award in my book - so many amazing stories of what young people are doing to make our communities and world a better place. Joyful because the stories contained in this folder fill me with wonder and delight at the imaginative, compassionate and enterprising young people and projectsin our neighbourhoods across the country.

We are lucky in that we run these awards with a national media partner, which means we do get positive stories about young people out there - I just wish even more people could see the truth about youth beyond the stereotypes, see "the norm" that I see every single day, which is wonderful young human beings, growing, learning as best they can about how the world works, and trying to find meaning along the way.

These are our bairns...indeed. Can't wait to meet all the finalists on Awards Night!