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Do you know an inspiring young leader passionate about languages and cultures and who advocates for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia?
The Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures recognises outstanding young people who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to advocacy for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia.
This Award is provided by the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, through the Multicultural Education and Languages Committee (MELC) and administered by the Australia Day Council of South Australia.
The Multicultural Education and Languages Committee (MELC)
MELC is a ministerial advisory committee that works collaboratively with the three schooling sectors and community organisations in South Australia in the interrelated areas of languages education, multicultural education and the internationalisation of education. MELC works towards ensuring that education for all students is enriched by the value of engagement with linguistic and cultural diversity and that young people learn to operate with sophistication and ease with diverse people.
More information on MELC can be found here.
Award Categories
Category 1 – A high school student
This award is designed to promote the study of languages and the development of intercultural capabilities. It is awarded to a high school student who has shown outstanding commitment to their study of languages and cultures at school, and who seeks to advocate for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia by fostering engagement in linguistic and cultural diversity.
Category 2: A young person 24 years of age or under (who is no longer at school)
Awarded to a young person who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocacy for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia and strong community leadership.
Selection Criteria
Category 1 – A high school student
- Sound capability in more than one language
- Outstanding commitment to the study of languages and cultures
- Effective intercultural capabilities
- Fosters engagement in linguistic and cultural diversity within the school and/or the broader community.
Category 2: A young person 24 years of age or under (who is no longer at school)
- Commitment to advocacy for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia
- Outstanding community leadership and effective communication skills
- Sound capability in more than one language and the ability to operate successfully in linguistic and culturally diverse environments.
Nominations open for 2025 Awards!
** Nominations close on 1st November 2024.
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Process of Nomination
Individuals, schools or organisations may submit nominations.
The nominating person or organisation should complete the online nomination form addressing ALL of the selection criteria for the relevant award category and can provide relevant background information and supporting materials.
Nominations must provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three referees who are familiar with the achievements of the nominee.
If you need assistance with your nomination, please contact Suzanne Malbut, Awards and Alumni Coordinator at the Australia Day Council of South Australia office: suzanne.malbut@adcsa.com.au or (08) 8212 3999.
Process of Selection
- The Selection Panel will consist of representatives from the Multicultural Education and Languages Committee and the Australia Day Council of South Australia.
- The panel will use the listed criteria to shortlist finalists for each of the categories.
- Finalists may be contacted for an interview to assist the panel in selecting the Award recipients.
- The Award will be announced and presented at an Awards Ceremony held at Government House in 2024.
- Only Award recipients will be contacted. Receipt of all nominations will be acknowledged formally after the Award Ceremony.
Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures Recipients 2024
Category 1
Recipient
Mohammad Abazl
Mohammad is a year 10 student at Unley High School. A native speaker of Arabic, Mohammad also speaks English and Italian. In 2024 he is undertaking the IB Diploma Program and will be learning a fourth language, Spanish. Mohammad established and leads the Languages and Cultures Club which has over 30 students representing Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, Malay, Chinese, Vietnamese to name a few. These students meet regularly to engage in learning and promote language and culture that is representative across the student population.
Mohammad is an active member of the Student Voice Council and supports the organisation through cultural events including Harmony Day and Languages week. Mohammad initiated Unley High School’s involvement in OxCLO (The Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad a contest for language for secondary school students). Unley High School is the first State Government school to participate with two teams representing the school. One of these teams will also take part in the South Australian version of the competition in December 2023. Mohammad has been instrumental in establishing a prayer room for Unley High School students of Muslim Faith and the impact of his leadership has strengthened the sense of belonging within the school community.
Commendations
Eve Corso
Eve has completed Year 12 in 2023 at Saint Ignatius College. She gained a Merit in Stage 2 Italian whilst in Year 11. Eve is currently learning Spanish whilst also working to revive her understanding of Dutch. Eve is passionate about promoting the study of languages across the middle years of secondary school. With the support of her Italian teacher and peers, Eve regularly has visited language classes to encourage students to continue studying languages into the Senior Years. Eve shares her personal experiences, emphasising the many cognitive and cultural benefits of language study.
Eve has also been involved in the past in Languages Week at the College, which celebrates the languages on offer with native games, food, costumes, music and dance, which promotes and celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity within the school community. In December 2023, Eve took part in a language and cultural exchange to Italy, where she lived with an Italian family and attended a Classical and Scientific secondary school for two weeks, before exploring other Italian cities and lifestyle. Eve willingly shares her enthusiasm for languages with whomever she encounters and strives to inspire others to share her love of languages. She hopes to become a languages teacher in the future.
David Duncan
David is studying at Jamestown Community School and is embarking on his final two years of his secondary school education. David is proficient in English and Spanish and also began learning Khmer in Cambodia in early 2023. Born in Australia, David resides in a monolingual, monocultural community. As an Australian citizen, David embodies the values of inclusivity, understanding and compassion. His dedication to fostering connections and strengthening cultural bonds transcends the boundaries of his rural hometown. His remarkable journey to Cambodia reflects his unwavering pursuit of enhancing the lives of others overseas.
Teaching your mother tongue language to other students by acquiring their language is complex. David’s linguistic capacity in English is comprehensive, hastened by his steadfast commitment to growth. These two attributes aligned with David’s aspirations for our collective purpose: to teach Cambodian students English and elevate their socio-economic standing by making them more employable and stimulating the support and future opportunities for their generation via literacy appreciation. His leadership skills, combined with his profound intercultural understanding, will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to society. He is not just a student; he is an ambassador of cultural understanding and a testament to the power of language as a bridge between different worlds.
Category 2
Recipient
Wissam Alfarhan
As a Syrian immigrant Wissam arrived in Australia in 2016, unable to speak English very well. She can now speak English and Arabic fluently and is currently learning French.
Wissam is a member of the Islamic Student Society at the University of Adelaide, a participant in the Multicultural Communities Council of SA Leadership Youth Program and the Syrian Refugee Association. She also actively participates in language exchange and educational initiatives within her community and Youth Parliament. Wissam advocates for policies that promote multilingual education and cultural awareness in schools and is a confident public speaker, having been actively involved in public speaking engagements for Australian Migration Resources Centre events and at her school, Pinnacle College. Her eloquence and ability to articulate complex issues have had a profound impact on raising awareness about the importance of languages and cultures in our diverse society. Through her leadership roles, she has effectively collaborated with youth from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to organize events and initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity. This includes multicultural festivals and cultural exchange events that have brought together people from various backgrounds to celebrate their languages, traditions, and heritage.
Commendations
Justin Barola
Justin has completed Year 12 language studies at Roma Mitchell Secondary College and is a leader promoting the use of Languages. He speaks Filipino as his home language, has impeccable English skills, and continues to study Japanese at University even though his drive is to become an accountant. When Justin has down time from his university studies he returns to his former school as a Student Support Officer assisting the International Education leader. Justin supports the international students and assists them to achieve better grades by inspiring them to believe that they can achieve anything. These students are from various cultural backgrounds with English as their second, if not their third, fourth or fifth language. He has worked with students and staff from many cultures, amongst them Afghani, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, French, Japanese, Australian and Indigenous Australians. Justin has also hosted exchange students and has become an integral link in the chain of international relations. Justin received a scholarship to study accounting in Japan for six months, furthering his language exposure and cultural awareness. During his time in Japan he has successfully communicated with friends and family in Australia, switching from English to Japanese and transitioning between the two languages with ease.
Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures Recipients 2023
Category 1
Recipient
Thomas Pearson and Coen Pearson – Meningie Area School
Thomas and Coen Pearson are proud, young Ngarrindjeri men and senior leaders within the Meningie Area School. As brothers they have a strong partnership and commitment to their Ngarrindjeri language and culture and are passionate about sharing this knowledge across their school and local community.
This commitment and passion to their First Nation’s culture is demonstrated through Thomas and Coen’s eagerness and enthusiasm to regularly present engaging Welcomes to Country in Ngarrindjeri language. Thomas and Coen use these moments as an educational opportunity to share language and provide a deeper connection to Country with their peers and the broader community.
Thomas and Coen’s passion also extends towards mental health and wellbeing, and they have worked collaboratively with The Rural City of Murray Bridge to implement additional support to young people that maybe experiencing disengagement within the community. This work has resulted in the delivery of programs offering hip hop and street art classes to provide a much-needed creative outlet and inspire confidence in young people.
Commendations
William D’Angelo – Concordia College
William D’Angelo is a proud Kokatha man and an advocate for Indigenous students and culture within his school community at Concordia College. He demonstrates a passion for learning and connecting with other languages and cultures such as German and Indonesian.
William collaborates with the College’s Indigenous Elder to guide, educate and enhance the school’s engagement with Indigenous peoples and participates in the Indigenous Mentoring Program offered through the Association of Independent Schools SA.
William is also a member of his school’s Reconciliation Action Group and through his role, provides guidance on cultural issues throughout the school community. William also represents Concordia College at official events and activities relating to reconciliation.
Category 2
Recipient
Tahlia Riessen
Tahlia Riessen is an advocate and champion of Auslan. Tahlia studied Auslan at school at the Avenues College and completed a Diploma of Interpreting becoming a qualified Auslan/English interpreter. She has returned to Avenues College working as a Bilingual Support Officer in the Centre of Deaf Education supporting the education and wellbeing of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Tahlia has established a Transport Training Program for Deaf students at the Centre. This program develops students’ road safety and social skills enabling them to navigate confidently and safely within the community providing them with greater independence. Tahlia works collaboratively with school educators in the mainstream setting to develop inclusive strategies that enable Deaf students to engage in all learning opportunities and to share their language and culture with their peers. Tahlia is also a strong advocate for Deaf students to be able to access appropriate mental health support in Auslan.
Tahlia’s passion is working in linguistically and culturally diverse environments and supporting new arrivals in SA to overcome linguistic challenges, particularly students with a disability and those who use non-conventional sign language.
Commendation
Mussa Nawroazi
As a compassionate community leader Mussa Nawroazi has devoted countless voluntary hours supporting newly arrived refugees who have escaped humanitarian crisis and conflict to feel safe and find their sense of belonging in South Australia.
Mussa is an Afghan refugee and his mother tongue is Dari. After the fall of Afghanistan in 2021, Mussa generously volunteered his time with Australian Migration Options supporting new arrivals in our state from Afghanistan, translating, interpreting, and assisting them to complete applications.
As an Ambassador for the charitable organisation Youth Opportunities, Mussa inspires confidence in young people, particularly new migrants and refugees to embrace new opportunities and to maintain and develop their linguistic and cultural heritage.
