YOUNG LEADER MIJICA LUS CREDITS PASSION FOR COMMUNITY WORK TO PAPUA NEW GUINEAN VALUES

Mijica Lus. Photo: Supplied

Growing up, Mijica Lus was never one to celebrate her own achievements.

"You're told to be humble," she shared with Nesia Daily.

"I'm pretty sure with a lot of Pasifika communities, this might've been the experience that was had."

It should be no surprise then Mijica initially had no clue what to do with herself once the stream of accolades and awards began flowing for all the volunteer work she's done on Australian soil.

For several years, Mijica has tirelessly dedicated herself to community service, which is why it was only a matter of time before the community itself started paying close attention to this young Papua New Guinean, who has since made headlines for multiple awards across Australia's capital, including the 2024 ACT Young Woman of the Year Award.

Mijica Lus received the 2024 ACT Young Woman of the Year Award(Supplied)

This year, she's been recognised as one of ABC Heywire's 2025 Trailblazers for the work she's accomplished, benefiting not only the locals in Canberra but more than 800 people in the Pacific through a social enterprise which she herself founded, the Aurosokwo Project.

With a worldview shaped by two vastly different cities of Port Moresby and Canberra, Mijica takes a rare moment to pause and reflect on the journey to date. 

Her upbringing in Tokarara — north-west of PNG's capital — was quite a communal environment, instilling that strong island culture of giving back to your people and putting others before yourself.

On leaving one nation's capital for another, she credits the culture she grew up with as what informs her decision making as a young adult.

"[It's] impacted the way that I approach working in community and like trying to create that same positive impact and experience for other people."

She also credits her personal growth from living in Australia as what's helped her find a new, healthier mindset around receiving awards.

"Being able to get a lot of these achievements and recognition, for me, it's one way that I'm showcasing my culture," Mijica said. 

"So for me, it's not just being an ambassador for Papua New Guinea, but also for the Pacific as a whole and what we're able to offer Australia."