NSW International Education Awards celebrate outstanding students and industry leaders

The NSW Government has recognised the state’s top international students, education providers, and innovators at the 2025 NSW International Education Awards.

The awards, now in their twelfth year, celebrate the achievements of international students across NSW and honour the organisations that support their success and wellbeing.

International students help drive research and innovation in NSW—making up 42 per cent of our postgraduate research students and funding over a quarter of all university research in Australia.

Nearly one in seven Australian startups employs a current or former international student.

Two types of awards were presented at a ceremony in Sydney last night.

The NSW International Student of the Year Awards recognise the contributions made by individual students to their education and broader NSW community. The winners across three categories were:

  • Schools – Araf Iaj Khan from Bangladesh
    • Araf, a Senior Prefect at Homebush Boys High School, was recognised for his outstanding leadership, volunteering over 160 hours and earning multiple awards for his commitment to inclusion, mentoring, and multicultural advocacy in NSW.
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) & English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) – Diego Luna Alamilla from Mexico
    • Diego, a recent Diploma of Counselling graduate from the Australian Learning Group, was recognised for his compassion and leadership in supporting international students and promoting youth inclusion in NSW.
  • Higher Education – Jiaqi (Ellen) Jiang from China
    • Jiaqi (Ellen) Jiang, a medicine student at the University of NSW, was recognised for her leadership in health advocacy and student wellbeing, making NSW safer and more inclusive for international students through her work on over 200 initiatives and public health campaigns.

The NSW International Education Industry Awards recognise programs and initiatives from individuals, education institutions, businesses and community organisations that support international students. The winners across two categories were:

  • Innovation in Education – MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard
    • Adopted by more than 70 institutions, the MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard (MCDS) simplifies international education by making student data sharing easier and more secure, helping students move between countries and raising the standard for education quality in NSW.
  • Industry Excellence – City of Sydney, 2025 Lord Mayor’s Welcome for International Students
    • The Lord Mayor’s Welcome for International Students helps new international students feel included and supported by connecting them with Sydney’s multicultural community and essential services.

For more information on the 2025 NSW International Education Awards, please visit Study NSW: www.study.nsw.gov.au/current-students/nsw-international-education-awards/

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Our education institutions are at the forefront of shaping an innovative and dynamic economy in NSW.

“The exchange of knowledge and skills embodied by these Awards plays an important role in cementing NSW’s position as the innovation powerhouse of Australia.

“I am proud to see NSW leading the way in international education, and I commend all the students, educators, and organisations who are making a real difference to our state’s future.”

NSW International Student of the Year (Higher Education) winner Jiaqi (Ellen) Jiang said:

“I first joined student societies simply to meet friends from similar cultural backgrounds who shared the same experiences. But once I became involved, I quickly realised how remarkable my fellow international students are — each person’s story is a testament to courage, resilience, and personal growth.

“Getting to know such inspiring individuals motivated me to take a more active role, participating in and eventually leading initiatives that support and showcase international students across NSW.

“Awards like this are important because they bring together passionate student leaders and volunteers from diverse universities and cultures – bright individuals united by the same goal: improving the international student experience.”

Chief Executive Officer, MortarCAPS Higher Learning Data Standard, Charlsey Pearce said:

“Winning this award is a recognition of the collective effort behind MortarCAPS — a passionate team committed to empowering learners and universities to thrive in a global, connected education ecosystem.

“We partner with universities globally to give students ownership of their learning data. This ensures that their educational and professional achievements are recognised seamlessly across borders, supporting pathways to employment, lifelong learning, and migration.

“Awards like this spotlight innovation and collaboration across the international education sector. They encourage bold thinking and shared responsibility for shaping the future of learning.”

Nurses and midwives celebrated at annual Excellence Awards

Nurses and midwives across NSW have been celebrated for their compassion and dedication at the 13th annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards ceremony held at NSW Parliament House last night.

The Awards highlight the remarkable professional achievements and recognise the incredible contributions nurses and midwives make to the health and wellbeing of people in NSW every day.

Awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM and NSW Health Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross.

The winners of each category are:

  • Nurse of the Year: Shivam Dhiman, Registered Nurse, Surgical/Orthopaedic Ward, Fairfield Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Midwife of the Year: Svetlana Ilich, Clinical Midwifery Specialist, Bereavement and Perinatal Service, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award : Poumansing Gujraz, Nurse Manager Falls Prevention Co-ordinator, South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • New to Practice Nurse/Midwife of the Year: Jonty Donald, Registered Nurse, Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District
  • Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year: Amy Sutherland, Aboriginal Transitional Nurse Practitioner Rural Generalist, Gilgandra Multipurpose Service, Western NSW Local Healthy District
  • Healing Heart Consumer Award: Sarah Driver, Registered Nurse Emergency Department, Bathurst Hospital, Western NSW Local Health District
  • Healing Heart Colleague Award: Katherine Martin, Nursing Unit Manager, Inpatient and Rehabilitation Wards, Kempsey District Hospital, Mid North Coast Local Health District\
  • Team of the Year: Nursing team, Children’s Ward, Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Mid North Coast Local Health District
  • Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement: Jacqueline Jagger, Nurse Practitioner, District Cancer Services, Central Coast Local Health District.

For more information, including a full list of finalists visit the NSW Health Website:   www.health.nsw.gov.au/einma

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I want to congratulate the winners and all 27 finalists for their incredible achievements in providing the very best care to patients, women and families across NSW.

“From metropolitan hospitals to our most remote rural and remote hospitals, nurses and midwives are the heart of the healthcare we provide.

“The Awards not only honour and celebrate the skills, passion and commitment of our finalists but also reflect what nurses and midwives across NSW bring to work every single day.”

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:

“Nurses and midwives are the backbone of our health system, delivering exceptional care in every setting from maternity to mental health services.

“I congratulate all award recipients for their compassion, expertise and dedication to improving lives across our NSW communities.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:

“The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are an important reminder and opportunity to reflect and recognise the commitment, innovation and outstanding care being provided to the people of NSW by our nurses and midwives.

“I’m incredibly proud to see nurses and midwives like Amy Sutherland from Gilgandra, our Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year, whose dedication to rural and regional Indigenous healthcare is helping to create pathways for Aboriginal health care professionals.

“I want to congratulate the nominees and winners of this year’s awards and also extend my deepest thanks to all nurses and midwives, who play an integral role in delivering high-quality care to patients, families and communities across the state.“

NSW Health Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross:

“The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are a celebration of individual achievement and recognition of the critical role nurses and midwives play in shaping the future of healthcare.

“The level of care and expertise nurses and midwives deliver everyday truly makes a difference to the wellbeing and experience of patients across all clinical and community settings.

“The Awards help to shine a light on how nurses and midwives across NSW are continually transforming through innovation, education and research to meet the changing needs of our patients, women, families and communities.” 

Pauline Hanson Unbothered by Suspension: “I Stand My Ground for Australians”

Pauline Hanson has made it clear she is not worried about her one-week suspension from the Senate, standing firm on her beliefs despite backlash from all sides of politics. The transcript shows Hanson completely unfazed, refusing to bow to political pressure or attempts to silence her.

Hanson was suspended for seven sitting days after entering Parliament wearing a burqa  a move she says highlights serious concerns about women’s rights and national security. While Labor, Liberal, and Greens senators condemned her and voted for a censure motion, Hanson didn’t flinch.

Her comments reflect a broader sentiment across the country: Australians are tired of politicians who refuse to confront tough issues. Hanson’s defiance — even in the face of suspension shows exactly why One Nation continues to gain support.

The transcript also notes Hanson’s strategic engagement with Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, fuelling speculation he could defect to One Nation another sign that the major parties may be losing control of their own ranks.

For Pauline Hanson, the suspension is meaningless compared to the responsibility she feels to speak for everyday Australians. She has made it clear that no ban, censure, or criticism will silence her fight for transparency, security, and the rights of all Australians.

One Nation’s message is stronger than ever:
When Parliament tries to silence Pauline Hanson, she speaks even louder  and Australians are listening.

Emerging Stars: Netball NSW Unveils Dynamic 2026 17U State Team

Netball NSW has named its 2026 17U State Team — a standout group of emerging athletes whose skill, diversity and hunger for success set a thrilling platform for next year’s National Netball Championships. Selected from one of the state’s most extensive and competitive trial processes, this team showcases the very best of New South Wales’ next generation. General Manager of Performance and Pathways Mardi Aplin said the pathways system continues to deliver outstanding young talent from every corner of the state.“It’s a really exciting team. The 17U selections are always such a huge trial process that began eight weeks ago in the regional areas of New South Wales and then it finally came through to the final phase on the weekend at Netball Central,” Aplin said.“We’ve got some experience returning from the 2025 NSW team, along with some new athletes who have not been in programs before, so it’s a really exciting group to work with.”The 2026 team is a true reflection of netball’s reach and inclusivity, featuring athletes from across metropolitan, regional and multicultural backgrounds in NSW.Aplin highlighted the team’s strength across the court:“Our shooting end is tall, strong and composed. We’ve got some big targets at the back and some really explosive, exciting goal attacks out in front.”“The mid court is a really exciting and dynamic area. There’s lots of variation within that group, with athletes who can feed beautifully and adapt across multiple positions.”“The defence end has a great mix of experience and emerging strength. The combination of height, reach and on-ball pressure gives us some really strong defensive options.”Aplin said the strength of the 17U program is underpinned by Netball NSW’s statewide pathways.“The pathways within Netball NSW are really strong at the moment. Our associations are doing wonderful things, along with the academy programs and our Emerging Teams. We’ve seen most of these athletes across the last 12 to 18 months, and it’s great to see regional players come through and compete with their metropolitan counterparts.”She added that the makeup of this team captures what netball stands for today — inclusiveness, opportunity and aspiration.“Netball is a sport for all — whether you’re from a regional area, a multicultural background or metropolitan Sydney. It’s about putting in the work and seeing role models who show you what’s possible. This team is exactly that. There are lots of little kids out there who will look at these athletes and think, ‘I want to be like them one day.’”The 17U State Team is coached by Baulkham Hills Shire’s Nardia Trevor, who was reappointed as Head Coach of the 17U team following this year’s silver-medal finish at Nationals.Netball NSW 17U State Team

NAME POSITION ASSOCIATION
Akur Malueth Shooter BLACKTOWN CITY
Cheyanne Vaitusi Mid Court BAULKHAM HILLS SHIRE
Evalina Carneiro Defence SUTHERLAND SHIRE
Eve Power Defence NEWCASTLE
Isabella Christian Mid Court ILLAWARRA DISTRICT
Jessica Hugo Mid Court KU-RING-GAI
Marley Dighton Shooter KU-RING-GAI
Ruby Nero Shooter MANLY WARRINGAH
Sophie Lockyer Defence ILLAWARRA DISTRICT
Sophie Perrett Mid court EASTWOOD RYDE
Tilly Sinclair Defence HASTINGS VALLEY
Xanthia Crookes Shooter NORTHERN SUBURBS

Appeal to locate man missing from Newcastle

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from the Newcastle area.

Sunny Jenkins, aged 30, was last seen at John Hunter Hospital about 1.00pm on Sunday 23 November 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were contacted and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Sunny is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall, of solid build, with brown hair and hazel-coloured eyes.

He is known to frequent the areas of Swansea, Belmont and Garden Suburb.

Reaffirming the safety of Australia’s vaccines

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, together with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has issued a joint statement reaffirming the safety and effectiveness of vaccines used in Australia.

Vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to protect individuals and communities from serious illness. The statement confirms that all vaccines approved for use in Australia meet strict safety, quality and efficacy standards set by the TGA.

We encourage all Australians to stay up to date with their vaccinations and to seek advice from their healthcare provider if they have questions about vaccine safety.

Read the full joint statement on the TGA website

ALP withdraws its own Bill following Senate and community pressure

Today, the Albanese Government withdrew the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal Bill 2025, after sustained pressure from the community.

This Bill sought to make significant backward changes to Defence Honours cases before the Awards Appeals Tribunal. It would have seen a 20-year time limit for reviewing honours and a separate 6-month appeals period for challenging decisions. The Bill would also remove the rights of extended families and experts to appeal decisions or seek awards to recognise past bravery and service.

The Greens co-authored a motion in the Senate in the last sitting week seeking to remove this Bill from the notice paper, sending a clear message to the Government.

The government’s action today recognises the hard political reality that this Bill had zero support in the Parliament outside the Labor Party.

You can read the Greens’ full dissenting report on this Bill here.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence and Veterans Affairs, said: “This is a victory for common sense against a Government that has been determined to ignore the Senate, and the entire veterans community.”

“We have seen routinely over the past year the Albanese Government treat opposing voices with disdain and hostility. This means even when the entire Parliament was pointing out that one of their Bills will hurt veterans, they didn’t want to listen.

“There have been positive and welcome developments concerning the treatment of veterans over recent years, however, this Bill represented a step back.

“We will continue to work with the Government to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, but we will not wave through bad laws.

“In recent history, we have seen rank-and-file Australian soldiers face horrible abuse in the military only to be abandoned by the higher-ups once they leave. This Bill represented a Defence leadership that gets what it wants with no pushback, until today.”

Dire rental affordability should be wake-up call for Labor

Australia’s rental market remains dire according to the latest data from SGS Economics and Planning’s Rental Affordability Index 2025.

In Sydney, full-time workers face severe rental stress and people receiving income support would need to put 131% of their income toward rent making stable housing unattainable without significant assistance.

The data finds that Adelaide is as unaffordable as Sydney, with many outer suburbs becoming inaccessible for average earners. Regional areas across the country have also become less affordable, many hitting the lowest affordability levels recorded by the Index.

The Greens say this is further proof of Australia’s housing crisis hitting renters and call on the government to stop prioritising wealthy property investors over renters.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Australia is in a national housing crisis that is spiralling out of control and renters are paying the price. People on low and moderate incomes, who can’t afford to buy a home, are facing extreme rental stress. Essential workers – teachers, nurses and police – can’t afford to live near where they work.

“Across Australia, we’re seeing a rental market that is unaffordable. With vacancy rates at record lows, the rental market is so tight that landlords can hike prices leaving renters with nowhere else to go. That’s exactly why the Government needs to introduce rent caps – to stop profiteering and give people a fighting chance.

“The problem is that successive governments have created a housing system where rich property investors get billions in tax discounts to buy multiple properties, while millions of others can’t even find an affordable rental, let alone buy a house of their own. It’s no wonder 89 per cent of Australians agree we’re in a housing crisis.

“The Government’s $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy investors – via the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing – are locking out first home buyers and forcing rents to skyrocket.

“Without tackling the root causes of the housing crisis, Labor’s policies, such as their 5% deposit scheme, are pushing property prices up further – locking even more people out of affordable rentals and home ownership. That includes essential workers, such as nurses and teachers, who are already struggling to afford homes near their workplaces.

“This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. Rather than giving billions of tax breaks to wealthy property investors, the Government should be investing directly into building good quality homes and renting them to people who need them at prices they can actually afford.”

Shameful racial profiling in Victoria Police worsened by Allan Labor Government’s endless expansion of police powers

The Victorian Greens say that the rates of racial profiling revealed in a new report are shameful and lay bare systemic racism and discrimination. 

The Victorian Greens say that despite a ban on racial profiling since 2015, the latest search data shows it remains widespread – and the Allan Labor Government should be ashamed. 

Instead of urgently establishing the independent police oversight we need, the Allan Labor Government continues  to expand unchecked powers for police – which the Greens warn will only cause these already shocking rates to rise. 

New research from the Centre Against Racial Profiling, based on data obtained under FOI from Victoria Police, reveals that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were 15 times more likely to be searched than white people in 2024, despite being less likely to be found with prohibited items. They were also 10 times more likely to have force or the threat of force used against them, and 13 times more likely to have tasers drawn on them. 

African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities were also disproportionately targeted, with African community members eight times more likely to be searched, seven times more likely to be subjected to force, and 24 times more likely to be pursued by police vehicles. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism: 

“These rates are shocking, but not surprising to any of these targeted communities including my own Pacific Island communities who live this reality every day.

“We know that Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities have borne discriminatory policing practices for a long time. Without work like this report, we’d have no idea of the scale of the problem and the widespread harms inflicted on these communities. 

“Racial profiling doesn’t just discriminate, it creates a racially stratified community. It is shameful that Labor continues to expand unchecked police powers that will make this worse, when we should be tackling systemic racism in policing, investing in community-led safety, and finally establishing an independent police ombudsman.”

“Rent controls work” Greens renew push as new data reveals dire rental crisis

The Victorian Greens say that rent controls are needed to address the rental affordability crisis as new national data released today shows that the rental crisis is growing in Victoria, while the only place across the country where rental affordability is improving is the ACT – which is the only jurisdiction with rent controls. 

The Victorian Greens say this is yet more proof that rent controls work, and that Victoria should join the ACT and multiple countries across Europe, the US and Asia that are already using rent controls to urgently address the “dire” state of the rental market. 

The Rental Affordability Index shows regional Victoria has become even less affordable over the past year, while Melbourne remains at record-low levels of affordability. Thousands of Victorian renters are being pushed to breaking point by relentless rent hikes.

Meanwhile, the ACT – whose Greens-Labor Government introduced rent-increase caps in 2019 – recorded a 4 per cent improvement in affordability, the strongest in the country. Victoria currently has no limits on rent increases, allowing landlords to push rents up year on year as much as they like. 

Today’s data is consistent with the Department’s latest rental data that also shows the rental crisis deepening across Victoria with Melbourne’s median rent increase by $25 in the last reported quarter to $585 per week and regional Victoria’s median rent rising $10 to $460 per week and inner Melbourne recording the largest quarterly jump of 9.8%. 

As well as recent research from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) and Tenants Victoria finding that 4 in 5 renters had a rent increase in the past 2 years of an average of 17% – meaning the average renter is paying nearly $100 more every week. 

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Renters’ Rights, Gabrielle de Vietri: 

“It’s no surprise that the ACT is the only place in the country where rental affordability is improving when it’s the only place with rent controls. If the Allan Labor Government were serious about supporting renters, they should be taking notes. 

“Renters in every corner of the state are being smashed by soaring rents while the Allan Labor Government refuses to put any limit whatsoever on rent hikes. 

“Rent controls are a proven tool for stabilising rents and giving people certainty, and right now we’re in a dire affordability crisis in Victoria – they work, there’s no reason Labor can’t do this here.”