SFCC’s Community Achievers

Congratulations to our Pasifika Engagement Project Officer Kimiora Joyce and Year 12 student Joanna on their recent nominations for a Melton City Council Community Achievement Award.

The awards are for Melton residents who inspire individual and community pride and help make the city a better place to live, whether through their work as individuals, volunteers or by clearly exceeding the normal requirements of their paid work.

Award recipients and nominees were acknowledged at a special event hosted by Melton Council at Witchmount Winery last Tuesday.

A role model and inspiration to young people at SFCC and among the wider Melton community, Kimiora was nominated for the 2025 Intercultural Engagement Leader of the Year.

Kimiora has improved community access for students by promoting initiatives such as the African Youth Initiative and AYI Girls Chat, and coordinated intercultural events that normalise the celebration of diversity.

A leader and spokesperson for the Pasifika community, Kimiora is the coordinator of the Mãori Children Culture Group and was involved in Melton Council’s COVID-19 vaccination video, representing the Màori community. She has also been involved in the College's Pasifika, Punjabi, Burmese, Congolese, and Ethiopian dance groups and fosters cross-cultural conversations during intercultural days.

Through her work as an educator, community organiser and advocate, Kimiora embodies the idea that cultural diversity is not just something to be tolerated but embraced and enriches the fabric of the diverse Melton community.

A 2025 Young Citizen of the Year nominee, Year 12 student Joanna is an active, creative, vibrant and engaged participant of the Dancing Stars Group – a free, open dance class for the local community.

Joanna supports and empowers other participants by teaching choreography. She is also a youth group leader at her local church and volunteers with projection, pulpit stars, marketing and media, transportation, scheduling, and planning of youth group activities. She also encourages involvement in the church and helps facilitate a space where new friendships can be formed.

Kimiora and Joanna received a Community Achievement Award to recognise their work and nominations.