Adrian de Luca - PIEoneer Award Finalist
Mordialloc Teacher Adrian De Luca Shines as Global PIEoneer Award Finalist
This term, Mordialloc College proudly celebrates our classroom music teacher and drum and percussion specialist, Adrian De Luca, who was recently named a finalist at the prestigious 2025 PIEoneer Awards in London.
The ceremony was held at the historic Guildhall, famously known as the venue of Frédéric Chopin’s final public performance in 1848, giving meaningful musical significance to Adrian’s journey. Adrian was recognised in the Student Support Award category for his work as Founder and Director of the We Are Australia Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting international student victims of crime and those facing hardship while studying in Australia.
A Journey of Compassion, Music and Advocacy
Adrian’s international recognition began with a single act of kindness: offering free piano lessons and support to Minh Tuan Duong, an international student who survived a violent crime while studying in Melbourne. Through music, encouragement and resilience, Minh rebuilt his life, graduated from university and is now a CPA serving as Treasurer of the We Are Australia Foundation.
Their remarkable teacher-student journey, known as The Minh Story, has inspired communities across Australia and overseas. A petition supporting Minh’s right to remain in Australia gathered 89,740 signatures, reflecting national compassion for his story. The Minh Story will also be shared on national television in 2026, shining a light on strength, recovery and the life-changing power of education and mentoring.
National Recognition and Community Impact
Following the London honour, the We Are Australia Foundation has been nominated for the Study NSW Award for Industry Excellence. Adrian has additionally been nominated for Australian of the Year 2026, recognising his leadership in student welfare and advocacy.
Adrian and the Foundation have also received a letter of recognition from the Prime Minister’s Office, acknowledging their contribution to the safety and well-being of international students and the positive impact their work has had on the wider community.
A Teacher Who Inspires Every Day at Mordialloc College
Despite national and international achievements, Adrian remains deeply dedicated to his students at Mordialloc College, teaching both classroom music and percussion. His lessons focus on building confidence, creativity and community through music.
He continues to:
- Inspire creativity, confidence and teamwork
- Provide meaningful performance and ensemble opportunities
- Support every learner to discover their strengths and passions
- Model kindness, resilience and leadership across the school
“Whether I am standing in Guildhall, London or teaching in a music room at Mordialloc College, the most meaningful work always happens here with our students. Every young person has talent and potential, and it is my privilege to help them believe in themselves,” says Adrian.
Next year, Adrian hopes to present a live performance of The Minh Story at Mordialloc College, giving students a firsthand experience of a powerful journey of resilience, hope and the difference one teacher can make.
Mordialloc College congratulates Adrian on these outstanding achievements and thanks him for representing our school community with dedication, humility and pride. His work shows that one act of support can change a life, and one changed life can inspire a movement.
Together, We Are Australia