Page 33 - Luce 2024

C ouncil N ews

Special achievement for
Thenu Herath (2016)

In October 2023, the Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for
Women, inducted 22 women to the Victorian Honour Roll of
Women at a ceremony at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, joining
more than 700 women inducted since 2001.

Former Senior Student and Student Club President Thenu
Herath was recognised in the Category of Emerging Leader:
‘As the former CEO of The Oaktree Foundation, Australia’s
largest youth-run international development agency,
Thenu has made a significant impact by supporting young
people to lead social change in their communities. During
her tenure, her team launched a new impact model that
shifts resources to young people in the Asia-Pacific, with a
growing focus on gender equality and climate initiatives.

In addition to her continued role on Oaktree’s Board,
Thenu actively engages and advocates for inclusion and
access for women and youth in her roles as a Board
Member of the Australian Council for International
Development and Green Collect, a local Melbourne-
based social enterprise. She was also appointed to the
global executive committee of the Commonwealth Youth
Human Rights and Democracy Network.’

When asked a few weeks after the ceremony how she was
feeling, Thenu replied, ‘I still cannot believe this happened!
Thank you to the Minister for championing this wonderful
initiative which recognises lasting contributions by women
to the Victorian community. Congratulations to all inductees,
I’m so humbled to share this remarkable honour with such
exceptional women.’
Responding to a question about her future, she explained,
‘For the last year, I have been working with Global Citizen, an
NGO based in New York to curate a flagship youth leadership
summit in Melbourne. However, after seven years of working
in the non-profit sector while completing my studies in
Arts and Law, early in 2024 I will be taking up a role at the
Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra. I am looking
forward to working from within the government to further
global justice and peace around the world.’

J anet Clarke Hall 33