Meet the South Australian finalists in the News Corp’s 2015 Pride of Australia awards
WHEN Modeste Hatungimana fled the horrific genocide of Central Africa as a teenager in 1994 he knew nothing of Australia.
WHEN Modeste Hatungimana fled the genocide in Central Africa as a teenager in 1994 he knew nothing of Australia.
More than 20 years later, as a leader of the Burundian community and the founder of the life-changing Northern Refugees Social Club (NRSC), he is an inspiration to his adopted country and one of many deserving South Australians announced as finalists in the News Corp’s 2015 Pride of Australia awards.
A 95-year-old Meals on Wheels driver, heroes of the Sampson Flat bushfire and a teenager who saved the lives of two strangers are among the 31 finalists chosen from more than 300 SA nominees.
CHECK OUT OUR HEROIC FINALISTS ABOVE
With a double degree in Social Work and International Relations, Mr Hatungimana, who is married with “four little Aussies”, formed the award-winning Social Club four years ago to create opportunities for refugees from every corner of the globe. He found the “World Game”, soccer, was a magnet to unite the diverse communities.
“We tried a few other things but have learned if you want a good crowd organise a soccer game,” the 36-year-old, nominated in the Fair Go category, told the Sunday Mail this week. “Every Saturday we come together, play soccer and socialise afterwards.”
The weekly sessions at the Munno Para Soccer Club training ground, at Uley Oval in Elizabeth Downs, have grown from 10 children to more than 60. Just like Mr Hatungimana, many of the children were witness to the horrors of war in their country of birth.
Aged 15, Mr Hatungimana left his family behind and escaped to Tanzania where he was housed in a refugee camp for 10 years before Australia accepted him. “I thought ‘when I get there all I’ll be eating is a lot of sheep’,” the Blakeview resident joked. “But it’s all been a very positive and wonderful experience.”
Mr Hatungimana is President of the Association of Burundian Community of SA that numbers around 1000 people.
Stacey Copas, 36, of Littlehampton became a quadriplegic when, aged 12, she dived into a swimming pool hitting the bottom and breaking her neck.
A finalist in the Courage category, Stacey trains people with disabilities, is a motivational speaker and author, and is training for the 2016 Paralympic Games in the 100m. “It is a wonderful feeling to be recognised for all of the hard work I’ve put in over the years to turn the adversity I have encountered into my greatest asset,” she said. “I want people to realise that they are bigger and more powerful than their circumstances and to feel empowered to better themselves, aim high and keep going.”
This year’s judging panel was Sunday Mail editor Andrew Holman, The Advertiser editor Sam Weir, Messenger Community News editor-in-chief Jessica Leo, Ten Eyewitness News presenter Rebecca Morse, Nova 919 announcer Cale Porter and FIVEaa announcer Jane Reilly.
The winners will be announced in a medal ceremony at Keith Murdoch House on Wednesday, September 23.