A year like none before.
Human Appeal Australia’s (HAA) High Achievers Awards has made a return for the 18th year in a row – this time outdoing all previous events. With a staggering 629 registrations of high achievers, students who attained ATARs above 90 in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Sydney relished in an unforgettable experience dedicated to celebrating their hard work and outstanding results. Each student this year received prestigious awards, including certificates of recognition along with the most anticipated part of all – a brand new 10th Gen Apple iPad.
HAA’s presence in the community has been prominent for over 30 years since its establishment, dedicating immense efforts towards serving the masses both locally and internationally. Today’s youth are vital to the growth and development of tomorrow and as such, must be recognised for their hard work and commitment to building a better and brighter future for all.
Here’s how each event went.
Melbourne – Victoria
On Friday the 14th of February, the 18th Year 12 Muslim Achievement Awards for the state of Victoria was organised in Melbourne at Altona Reception and was attended by 116 award recipients, members of the community, school principals and family members.
The ceremony was opened with the Quran recitation by Dr. Hayssam El Rifai, the Imam of Australian Islamic Centre. HAA’s Victorian Branch Manager Sheikh Rabih Baytie welcomed guests followed by various speeches delivered by Dr. Mohamed Mohideen, the president of Islamic Council of Victoria; Dr. Samantha Ratnam a member for Australian Greens; Ms. Vivienne Nguyen, the Chairperson of Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Ms. Lizzy Kuoth, Commissioner of VMC and the keynote speaker of the night, Dr. Mohammed Awad, Neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon. Also in attendance were Ms. Gafiah Dickinson, the Executive Principal of Australian International Academy and Dr. Abdul Mohaymen Kamareddin, the Principal of Islamic College of Melbourne.
Adelaide – South Australia
Adelaide’s event was held on February 15th, bringing together a distinguished community to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of 32 students who attained an ATAR of 90 and above. The evening began with a respectful acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land, followed by a Quran recitation by high achiever Haseef Imad, setting a deeply spiritual tone for the event. Gratitude filled the air as sponsors were individually recognized through heartfelt thank-you videos, before State Director Ali Kadir extended a warm welcome to all attendees.
The program was further enriched by the insightful words of Dr. Ihab Barham, Imam of Maryam Masjid, who delivered a profound spiritual address, and Mira El Dannawi, member of the Legislative Council, who highlighted the pivotal importance of education and the ethical dimensions of success.
As guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, they were captivated by a thought-provoking Umrah leadership video, showcasing the transformative journey of Australian youth through historic cities. Omar Badr who had a privilege of being a part of the leadership tour journey shared his experience about the transformative journey.
Brisbane – Queensland
The Queensland event on Sunday February 16th was the third in the country this year, celebrating the exceptional academic performances of 49 Muslim students from across the sunshine state.
Held at the Sunnybank Performing Arts Centre (SunPAC), the event commenced with an inspiring recitation of the Quran by Hafiz Mohammad Yunus, last year’s recipient of the Year 12 Muslim Achievement Award. Following this spiritual opening, Queensland state representative Dr. Zakaria Amin delivered a warm welcome. Esteemed guest speakers, including Habib Jamal, President of the Queensland Manufacturing Institute (QMI) and Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane, engaged the audience with insights on the vital role of education and the importance of achieving success through ethical principles.
Canberra – Australian Capital Territory
On Friday February 21st, the Canberra event took place for the second time since the start of the initiative, at the Tea Adore Reception.
The memorable night, which commenced with an enriching recitation of the Quran by Dr Hatim Saad celebrated three incredible students and included speeches by prominent community leaders in Canberra; starting with Brother Mustapha Al-Omari member of the board of directors of HAA, Dr Mahmoud Eid, the Principal of Islamic School of Canberra and Sheikh Hamza Abujarbou the President of UMC.
Perth – Western Australia
The Perth event, held on Saturday February 22nd was a momentous celebration of academic excellence and community spirit, honouring 42 outstanding students for their remarkable achievements.
The event was graced by esteemed guests including decorated journalist and Greens Party member, Sophie McNeill and Councilor Saiful Islam, who both commended the students for their dedication and hard work. Principal Abdullah Khan delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising the importance of education, perseverance and community contribution.
Aqila Lubis, who achieved an exceptional ATAR score of 99.8, shared his inspiring journey and reflected on the challenges and struggles he faced during Year 12. He highlighted how resilience, determination and the support of his community helped him overcome obstacles to reach his goals which resonated greatly with the audience. The evening served as a testament to the incredible potential of young Muslims and their commitment to making a positive impact in society and the inevitable future.
Sydney – New South Wales
The final city to hold the Year 12 High Achievers Awards for 2025 was Sydney, which celebrated the incredible achievements of 306 students and marked the biggest group so far not only in Australia – but also in the history of the program. With each impressively attaining an ATAR above 90, hundreds of brilliant students from across the state gathered to celebrate their outstanding efforts and incredible results.
On the evening of Sunday February 23rd, the high achievers beaming with excitement began filling up tables at The Highline Venue before the event kicked off. With the presence of esteemed guests, ministers and valuable sponsors – the night was not only significant in highlighting the talents and bright minds of Muslim youth but also instilling dedication into future generations. Each student received a certificate of excellence, a certificate of mayoral recognition as well as this year’s designated valuable gift.
The event featured special talks from high profile attendees who also assisted in handing out the awards, including federal and state Ministers Tony Burke, Jason Clare, Jihad Dib and Sophie Cotsis. Bilal El-Hayek, the Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown was also present alongside fellow council members. Throughout the night, guests enjoyed the company of one another over dinner, with students from opposite sides of the state building friendships and connections to last a lifetime.
Much of this initiative’s success falls on the support of our generous sponsors whose contributions and presence underscored the collective commitment to nurturing young talent.
The team at HAA extends their utmost gratitude towards everyone who attended this special event and wish the graduates all the best for the upcoming chapters in their lives.