Four budding public speakers stepped up to the mic at September 20's Culture Mix festival in the city.
Working in pairs, Syuzanna, Nar Moe, Zinah and Ndanyuzwe “Pacific” Pacifique took turns to host Wollongong's Dance Stage as part of the multilingual Youth EmCee training project, created by local storyteller, performer, writer and speaker Lillian Rodrigues-Pang.
“The project offered a supported way to celebrate multicultural youth and their journey towards learning and using English – imagine only starting to learn three years ago!" Lillian said.
"Also when our community creates a space to hear and listen to youth voices, we are all richer for it.”
The project aimed to boost the emcees’ confidence, with funding from the Culture Mix community program and support from MCCI.
The Youth EmCees spoke to The Illawarra Flame about where they've come from and where they’re going.
Syuzanna is 15 years old and spent her childhood in Armenia. When her family arrived in Australia three years ago, she didn't speak a word of English. She became involved in the Youth EmCee project after taking part in a program called Subtext: Art For Literacy that Lillian taught at Keira High School.
“I always wanted to do emceeing, and now is my opportunity," Syuzanna said.
"I had seen lots about Culture Mix and I think it’s great that people are proud and it’s great to see different cultures. I love that people are paying attention and people might notice me and take me forward to others.
“I’m hoping to get experience and find even better opportunities. For example, becoming a news reporter, other than public speaking events.”
Nar Moe is 14 years old and was born in Thailand before coming to Australia in 2017 under the refugee program. She began learning English after she arrived, and was especially excited to be hosting the Dance Stage as she loves to dance – both Karenni traditional dance and hip hop. Syuzanna and Nar Moe emceed the morning sessions, which included Macedonian dancing, Greek dancing and a very well-received bootscooting session.
“I love to see people dancing and I like Culture Mix, there’s so much variety,” Nar Moe said.
“In the future I would like to go to uni, to do medical and be a doctor.”
Pacific is a UOW student known for his calm and charisma. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the proud Banyamulenge community, and spent nine years as a refugee in Kenya before he moved to Wollongong. Pacific was excited to share the stage with his best friend, Zinah, emceeing in the afternoon.
“I was a refugee for almost my whole life, but I’m here and I’ve found home in settling in Wollongong, I’m happy,” Pacific said.
“Culture Mix is so beautiful, I get to see a lot of different cultures, learn new things and make new friends. I’m hoping to get up there, have an experience and beat my stage fright.
“Away from emceeing, in the future, I’m looking to be a physio for disabled people.”
Zinah is a student at UOW who was born in Iraq and raised in Syria before migrating to Australia in 2013. She learned English after coming to Australia, has since completed a bachelor's degree in International Studies and is now earning a Master's in Marketing. Zinah is connected to a number of local football clubs and, in recent years, has played football in the National Premier League. In 2023, she was named Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Wollongong Youth Week Awards.
“I think it's so great that we see all the different cultures and nationalities coming together today," Zinah said.
"Seeing the food, the music that we share… It just makes Wollongong more alive. So, it's good to see. I’m excited to get to emcee with Pacific – I think it’s the first time we’ve shared the same stage. It makes me less nervous.
“I’m hoping to do something along the lines of presenting like this or social media. So this is a great start and a great experience to put on the resume, and see what it does.”
