“Our diverse community is like a mountain, …from the smallest particles to towering trees. Each of us adds a unique essence, deserving celebration. Within diversity lies the beauty of our shared humanity. Let’s honor our ancestors, mentors, and the wisdom our children teach us along life’s journey.” – Loau Donina Va’a, PWPBN.
The winner of the 2024 Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Community Harmony Medal is Loau Donina Va’a.
This award recognises an individual’s contribution and achievement in facilitating and promoting social cohesion, understanding and acceptance between members of different cultural or faith communities in NSW.
Donina has spent the last two decades of her career building trust and dialogue among leaders from different Pacific nations and government.
She has served in various capacities serving on the Board of the NSW Council for Pacific Communities, the committee of Homelessness and Domestic Violence, and in advisory roles with the Australia Asia Pacific Media Initiative and Multicultural Reference Group.
Donina founded the first Pacific Women’s Network in Australia and is currently Chairperson.
Her leadership within the Core Pacific Collective helped harmonise Pacific communities in their collaboration with the NSW Government on culturally appropriate responses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Donina’s commitment to equitable solutions was underlined during Covid-19 when she authored the COVID-19 Hope Tool Kit, an initiative that transcended language barriers and translated into five Pacific languages.
Throughout her career path, Donina has sought to unite women of diverse backgrounds through activities and initiatives that transcend cultures.
As a Service Manager at Muslim Women Australia, she delivered the ‘Linking Hearts Multicultural Service’, an initiative impacting the lives of women in the community fleeing domestic violence. In 2020, Donina was recognised with the Lead Practitioner Specialist Homelessness Service Award for her achievements in this role.
In the same year, Donina brought together three organisations which culminated in the formation of the NSW Core Pacific Collective. This collective achieved several milestones amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2023, at the international level, Donina orchestrated the Pacific Regional Council for ECD Conference, an initiative bringing together six Pacific leaders and 40 Ministers from 14 nations.
She also served as an Early Childhood Specialist Consultant with UNICEF Pacific, initiating the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development Launch during the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting.
Donina’s successful advocacy has ensured that marginalised voices are heard and supported. Her impactful contributions have led to positive change, uplifted voices, and nurtured resilience within the community.
In early 2024, Donina was appointed CEO of the Samoan Government’s Ministry for Women, Community and Social Development.
She remains committed to advocating for young Pacific women in Australia and the Pacific region.
She has served in various capacities serving on the Board of the NSW Council for Pacific Communities, the committee of Homelessness and Domestic Violence, and in advisory roles with the Australia Asia Pacific Media Initiative and Multicultural Reference Group.
Donina founded the first Pacific Women’s Network in Australia and is currently Chairperson.
Her leadership within the Core Pacific Collective helped harmonise Pacific communities in their collaboration with the NSW Government on culturally appropriate responses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Donina’s commitment to equitable solutions was underlined during Covid-19 when she authored the COVID-19 Hope Tool Kit, an initiative that transcended language barriers and translated into five Pacific languages.
Throughout her career path, Donina has sought to unite women of diverse backgrounds through activities and initiatives that transcend cultures.
As a Service Manager at Muslim Women Australia, she delivered the ‘Linking Hearts Multicultural Service’, an initiative impacting the lives of women in the community fleeing domestic violence. In 2020, Donina was recognised with the Lead Practitioner Specialist Homelessness Service Award for her achievements in this role.
In the same year, Donina brought together three organisations which culminated in the formation of the NSW Core Pacific Collective. This collective achieved several milestones amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2023, at the international level, Donina orchestrated the Pacific Regional Council for ECD Conference, an initiative bringing together six Pacific leaders and 40 Ministers from 14 nations.
She also served as an Early Childhood Specialist Consultant with UNICEF Pacific, initiating the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development Launch during the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting.
Donina’s successful advocacy has ensured that marginalised voices are heard and supported. Her impactful contributions have led to positive change, uplifted voices, and nurtured resilience within the community.
In early 2024, Donina was appointed CEO of the Samoan Government’s Ministry for Women, Community and Social Development.
She remains committed to advocating for young Pacific women in Australia and the Pacific region.
