In 2024, Australia will mark the 30th anniversary of the national recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders. This recognition was granted on August 25th, 1994, and will be celebrated on the same date in 2024. It is an important milestone for the community and a time to reflect on their history and contributions to Australian society.
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Australian South Sea Islanders United Council Independent Rockhampton & District Inc.
We are dedicated to promoting the achievements of our young people in our South Sea Islander communities. We strive to strengthen the island connections with them and their families, through thought-provoking pieces of poetry and touching tales of personal journeys.
Akaysha Muggeridge
Celebrating our Australian South Sea Islander Youth
Akaysha Muggeridge is the daughter of Louise Muggeridge (nee Willie) and Christopher Muggeridge.
Akaysha's Australian South Sea Islander connections are from her Mother Louise who is the third daughter of Lloyd and Carol Willie, and paternal grandparents are John Willie and Kathleen Willie (nee Yasso).
Akaysha is closely connected to Kanaka Town in North Rockhampton where her Nan Willie still lives today. Akaysha has also spent many holidays in Bowen with her extended Willie, Power and Yasso families.
Akaysha has always had a dream of playing in the WNBA and attending college in the United States on a basketball scholarship. For the past three years those dreams have become reality with Akaysha enrolling as a Freshman at Sacramento State University in California and most recently as a Sophomore at Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Kansas.
Akaysha began her basketball career with Frenchville Basketball Club and while attending Emmaus College earned league and team Most Valuable Player honours with the Flames, helping her squad to a Rockhampton School District title. Akaysha has also played netball, Australian touch football, Aussie rules football, soccer, and futsal.
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While playing for the Rockhampton Basketball Club from 2019-21 in the Queensland Basketball League and the National Basketball League, Akaysha was named the Cyclones’ Rookie of the Year and the U23 Player of the Year… Averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game over 11 contests with the Cyclones in 2021, including five double-digit scoring performances and a high of 23 points to go with six assists… Selected to the Queensland North U18 squad for the Australian Junior Championships in 2019.
FRESHMAN (2022-23): Appeared in six games as a reserve for the Hornets, playing in 15 total minutes… Made her collegiate debut at Northern Colorado on Jan. 12, grabbing a rebound in three minutes… Scored her first career points with a basket at home against Northern Colorado on Feb. 11, adding a rebound and an assist in six minutes.
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In 2023, the Sacramento State Hornets won the NCAA Division 1 Big Sky Conference to go through to March Madness. Sacramento lost in the first round against UCLA 45-67.
SOPHOMORE (2023-24): National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 Women’s Tournament Champions by outscoring defending champions Northwest Florida State 88-80 victory. The Blue Dragons completed their 50th season with an undefeated 37-0 record – a school record for wins, longest winning streak (37) and best start to a season (37-0). Akaysha Muggeridge scored six of her eight points in overtime. Muggeridge added seven rebounds and four assists. Akaysha received the All-Conference 2nd Team Award while playing for Hutchinson.
What’s next for Akaysha? She is currently home for the American summer contemplating her next college basketball opportunity. The Australian South Sea Islander United Council would like to wish Akaysha all the best for her future endeavours and are so very proud of what she has already accomplished.
Emerson Lancee Godwell
I was born on the 15th of December 2000 in King George V Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney. I spent the first six months of life in Sydney before moving to Brisbane. I commenced my primary school education at Junction Park State School, Annerley before moving to Rockhampton in 2008 and starting school at Mt Archer State School where I finished my primary school education. In 2014, I commenced my secondary school education at The Cathedral College and graduated Year 12 in 2018.
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In 2019 I commenced my tertiary education at Central Queensland University enrolling in a Bachelor of Education, Primary. I am one exam and one practicum away from completing my studies. Throughout my studies I have been employed as a Supervisor at Subway.
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Since moving to Rockhampton, I have immersed myself in family life and the Australian South Sea Islander community. I have watched my mum and other family members volunteer as Executive members and going out into community promoting ASSI history and culture.
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I love attending ASSI events with my extended family as we come together around food and celebrate our vibrant ASSI community. Since turning 18 I have been a member of the Australian South Sea Islander United Council – Rockhampton Independent & District Inc., I have assisted in our fundraising events, with setting up, packing up and catering. I was also a volunteer at Kanaka Proud Cup 2021 and assisted by Aunty Christine Evans and Aunty Kerri Dorman with setting up for our ASSI Elders and ensuring all their needs were looked after.
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I am grateful for the opportunities that have been provided to me, as it is not lost on me the path that has been walked by my ASSI ancestors and by my Elders to open the many doors that I have been privileged to walk through and will continue to do so in the future.
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Looking forward to celebrating 30th year anniversary of Australian South Sea Islander Recognition by the Australian Federal Government this year.
Joella Warkill
Joella and her three sisters, (Javina, Kia and Karneesha) started "iamsouthsea" as an Instagram page in 2019 to increase representation of SSI people and history on social media. This has since expanded to selling T-shirts and posters, to creating a website, taking up even more space.
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Website: www.iamsouthsea.com
Joella is a proud South Sea Islander and First Nations , her heritage reigns from Pentecost, Ambae and Ambrym Islands in Vanuatu and through her maternal grandfather, her mob are the Yidinji people from Far North Queensland.
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Born and raised on Darumbal country, Central Queensland, Joella has connections to Kanaka Town (Creek Street, North Rockhampton) and Joskeleigh communities, through both her parents.
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Joella is a poetry writer and spoken word artist. She centers a lot of her writing around her cultures, her communities and their impact on her worldview in aiming to further educate and increase visibility for her people.
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Joella recently completed Bachelor in Creative Industries, majoring in Creative Writing/Bachelor of Human Services, and graduated in August 2023.
A few of Joella's Words
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