Another year, another success at CMY’s 5th MY Education Awards

Another year, another success! The 5th annual MY Education Awards were held on 17 September 2019, at the State Library of Victoria. The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of students, volunteers and Out-of-School-Hours-Learning-Support Programs (OSHLSP) to the success of the learning and engagement of students from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Victoria.

Young students from St Dominic’s Melton Boys’ Choir rose up to the challenge and kicked off the ceremony with their charming version of Eye of the Tiger.

They were followed by our wonderful Shout Out speaker, Lydia Gethya, who blew the audience away with her confidence at her first ever MC gig. She bravely shared her own education experience in Australia, where after being told that her English language was not strong enough to pursue an education in Psychology, she persevered and did it anyway.

Our keynote speaker, 22-year-old Khayshie Tilak Ramesh, Bendigo Youth Mayor and Youth Commissioner with the Victorian Multicultural Commission, shared her education journey and her calling to help people in need, which led her to pursue a degree in Law. Khayshie also spoke about the power of a positive mindset and applying for every opportunity that comes your way, saying “The worst thing anyone can say to you is no.”

We also heard from Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Schools, who attended the Awards on behalf of the Minister for Education, the Hon. James Merlino. Mr Richardson highlighted the department’s ongoing support for CMY’s Education programs, saying “it’s a right and an obligation, education should be for all.”

The awards were then presented to all of the well-deserving winners who have made outstanding contributions to the learning support sector in 2019. 

A big shout out to this volunteer-student duo from Banksia Gardens Broadmeadows Study Group who both walked away with awards!

Congratulations to all of our winners! 

Outstanding School-Run Out-of-School-Hours Learning Support Program

St Anthony’s Primary School Burmese Playgroup

Outstanding Community Run Out-of-School-Hours Learning Support Program

Grace Connections Pasifika Learning Support Program &

Diversitat Colac Homework Club

Outstanding Volunteers

Sonia Lindsay, Lucas Testro & Gerard Archer

Outstanding Young Volunteers

Noah Aravena & Thomas Ponissi

Outstanding Primary School Students

Selma Tesema and John Gerich

Outstanding Secondary Students

Sher Rehman & Ta Hey Moo

A big thank you to the State Library of Victoria, and to all of our Award Sponsors for making this event possible; AFL, Arts Centre Melbourne, Black Inc., Circus Oz, Child Wise, National Gallery of Victoria, and WestCASA. 

Find out more about CMY’s education programs.