Celebrating Community Cultural Organisations: Recognised and Inspired

This month, I had the honour of attending the Queensland Multicultural Community Reception, hosted by the Premier of Queensland, The Hon. David Crisafulli MP. It was a significant moment, not just personally, but for the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA) and the young leaders we represent across the Pacific and Australia.

During the reception, I accepted a certificate on behalf of PAYA recognising our organisation’s contribution to Queensland’s multicultural community. For me, this recognition represents far more than a framed certificate. It reflects years of grassroots work, youth-led initiatives and the collective efforts of Pacific and Australian young leaders who are committed to building bridges between cultures.

As CEO of PAYA, I have always believed that empowering young people with leadership opportunities, cross-cultural dialogue, and international engagement can shape stronger communities. Standing in that room, surrounded by community leaders from across Queensland, I was reminded that youth leadership is not a side conversation but a central element to our nation’s development.

The evening also provided an opportunity to connect with the Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, and share PAYA’s ongoing vision: a thriving Pacific region led by principled, empowered, and globally connected young people.

Moments like this reinforce why I do what I do. PAYA began as a youth-led idea to strengthen ties between Australia and the Pacific. To now see that work formally recognised at a state level is both humbling and motivating.

This recognition belongs to every PAYA youth leader who has stepped up, from New Caledonia to Nauru, Solomon Islands to Queensland. It is proof that when young people are given responsibility and trusted with leadership, they deliver impact.

And for me personally, it was a reminder that consistent, values-driven leadership does not go unnoticed.

The work continues.