Melton Community Achievement Awards

We are extremely proud of Ava Collins and Kayenaga Tupouniua for winning their categories in the recently concluded Melton Community Achievement Awards. 

Thank you, Will Cachia for taking the time and effort to work with Ava in helping her achieve her goals. Kayenaga graduated last year, and Kalolaine Manusete and I worked with her during this time.

Ava is an active leader and volunteer within the City of Melton community. She has represented the voice of youth by volunteering her time to host at the local radio station, hosting her school's homework club and is a Sustainability and Curriculum leader at her school.

Ava has also been involved in the Young Women's Leadership Program, Melton's Youth Advisory Committee and the Federal Youth Advisory Committee. Ava shares her drive by representing, advocating and supporting young people in our community. Furthermore, Ava has helped deliver meaningful events for our community including the Dream Big Festival and other school activities. 

Kayenaga has contributed significantly to the cultural awareness at Staughton College by playing a pivotal role in organising the first ever Tongan Language Week celebrations at Staughton College.

As part of Kayenaga’s role she taught other Pasifika students how to perform Taolunga (traditional dance) and Mauluulu (traditional synchronised clapping), and worked with peers and family to ensure all students had traditional clothes for performances. Kayenaga has breathed new life into the Pasifika cohort at Staughton College and because of her efforts, the college has smaller cohorts of students being recognised, such as Tahitian, Cook Island, Fijian, Tuvaluan, and Maori.