Governor’s Multicultural Awards 2025 Youth Award Winner | Mr Go Suan Pau

From Refugee to Community Advocate

For the judges of the Governor’s Multicultural Awards 2025, Go Suan Pau represents the spirit of resilience, service, and hope that defines multicultural South Australia.

Once a newcomer trying to find his footing in a new country, Go is now using his experiences to help others navigate the same journey. As the Winner of the Youth Category, he has been recognised for his dedication to community service, multicultural engagement, and advocacy for migrant and refugee communities.

But for Go, the recognition came as a complete surprise.

“I did not expect it at all. Just being nominated by the people of South Australia was already a great honour for me,” Go said, his voice filled with emotion. “Standing there and hearing my name announced was overwhelming. I felt deeply grateful and humbled. This recognition is not just about me – it belongs to the many people and communities who have supported me along the way.”

A new beginning in Australia

Go, an ethnic group belong to Zomi, arrived in South Australia seven years ago in search of safety, education, and opportunity. Like many migrants and refugees, his early years were shaped by the challenge of adjusting to a completely new environment—learning new systems, understanding a different culture, and building a life from the ground up.

Yet those experiences also shaped his determination to give back.

“Australia gave me a second chance,” he says. “That makes me feel a strong responsibility to contribute to the society that welcomed me.”

A life dedicated to service

Today, Go works as an Electorate Officer in the office of a Federal Member of Parliament while also supporting national data and community engagement initiatives through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, where he serves as a Census Engagement Manager and Statistical Officer.

These roles allow him to work closely with diverse communities and help ensure their voices are heard in public institutions and national programs.

Outside his professional work, Go has always believed in the importance of community service. He serves as a Justice of the Peace in South Australia and is a Director of the Australia Myanmar Institute for Democracy, Human Rights and Peace, contributing to initiatives that promote human rights, democratic values, and community dialogue.

Within the Zomi community, Go has also played an important leadership role through Zomi Innkuan Adelaide, where he served as General Secretary in 2023. His work has focused on helping newly arrived migrants settle into Australian life while preserving cultural identity and strengthening community connections.

Preserving language and culture

One initiative particularly close to Go’s heart is the effort to include the Zomi language in Google Translate.

“For many communities, language is deeply connected to identity,” Go explains. “If our language is recognised in technology, it means future generations will have easier access to their culture and heritage.”

The project is a milestone that many Zomi people around the world have long hoped to see.

Building bridges across communities

Go’s commitment to inclusion also extends beyond his own community. He has volunteered with organisations such as South Australia Police and TAFE SA, helping to promote intercultural understanding and stronger relationships between institutions and multicultural communities.

Through these efforts, he works to ensure that migrants and refugees feel supported, understood, and included in Australian society.

A milestone for the community

During the awards ceremony, officials noted that Go Suan Pau is the first individual from Myanmar and the first member of the Zomi community in Australia to receive this prestigious recognition.

For Go, however, the award represents something bigger than personal achievement.

“It reminds me that our community’s story matters,” he says. “It shows that even small communities can contribute in meaningful ways.”

Looking ahead

While the award marks an important milestone, Go sees it as only the beginning.

His hope is to continue working for stronger communities, greater inclusion, and opportunities for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“If my journey can inspire someone else who is starting from nothing, then I feel it’s worth it,” he says.

For Go Suan Pau, the path from refugee to community advocate is not just a personal story – it is a reminder that compassion, service, and perseverance can help build a more inclusive and hopeful future for everyone.