At just 14 years old, Sophia Skarparis mobilised more than 12,000 handwritten signatures calling for a ban on single-use plastic bags in New South Wales. Her petition was tabled in the NSW Parliament in October 2018 and contributed to the momentum that led to the state’s Plastics Action Plan and the phase-out of lightweight plastic bags.
In recognition of her leadership, Sophia was named Young Conservationist of the Year at the 2018 Australian Geographic Society Awards. She was also honoured as Young Citizen of the Year by both North Sydney Council and Willoughby City Council in 2019.
Q&A with Sophia
Tell us about your connection to North Sydney?
The North Sydney community was the first place that gave me a platform to create positive change. It’s where my story began. I know the streets and shops like the back of my hand, having grown up here from primary school through to high school, surrounded by familiar parks, neighbourhoods, and people who watched me grow up.
Much of my childhood revolved around being outdoors and involved from riding my bike through the neighbourhood, playing tennis and basketball, and spending countless afternoons at St Mary’s church, where community was so important. It was where friendships were built, confidence was formed, and I learned what it meant to show up for others.
When I was 14, I spent my Saturdays at the Northside Produce Markets, standing with a clipboard, talking to strangers, collecting handwritten signatures for a petition to ban single-use plastics. Those markets became my classroom, where I learned how to listen, how to speak up, and how powerful everyday people can be when they care about something together.
What are you working towards at the moment that you’re excited about?
Having just finished university, I’m stepping into 2026 with excitement for my next chapter. My biggest goal right now is to create and uplift communities, especially for young people. What excites me most is rebuilding that sense of togetherness, particularly for young people who care about the environment and want to turn that care into positive, collective action. I’m building spaces (both online through my Instagram (@plasticfreesophia) and in person) that shape behaviours, strengthen relationships, and cultures that make sustainable action feel possible, shared, and lasting.
What are you most proud of?
More than anything, I’m proud of young people. I’m proud of the resilience, courage, and determination I see in my generation, especially at a time when the future can feel uncertain, overwhelming, or unfair. Despite the trajectory of the world we’re inheriting, so many young people continue to show up, speak out, and care deeply.
Some of my proudest moments have been meeting other young people who tell me they were inspired by my story, and then watching them go on to do incredible things in their own communities. There is nothing more heartwarming than realising your actions have helped someone else find their voice.
That ripple effect, that sense that the work I’m doing is creating real, positive impact beyond myself is something I hold with immense gratitude and pride.
What or who inspires you?
I’ve been incredibly lucky to be inspired and supported by so many people and organisations along my journey. Organisations like Surfrider Foundation, Australian Geographic, Take 3 for the Sea and more have shown me what environmental leadership looks like. Individuals such as Jordan Moy from North Sydney Council have demonstrated how local government can support community-led change. I’m also inspired by young changemakers around the world, including Melati Wijsen, whose courage and clarity remind me that age has never been a limitation to impact.
What inspires me most, though, is the collective (individual people, small actions...you guys reading this) people choosing to care, to act, and to believe that change is possible, even when it’s uncomfortable or slow.
Tell us about another notable woman that you admire?
Without question, the woman I admire most is my mum. She has a fire in her belly that is impossible to ignore. From a young age, she taught me how to move through challenges with strength, resilience, and determination. She showed me that “no” is rarely the end of a conversation, it’s often just the beginning of a different one.
Everything I carry into my advocacy, my leadership, and my belief in myself has been shaped by her example.