Tess Gizoria

The 2017 recipient from Papua New Guinea, Tess Gizoria, would like to see more Pacific Islanders be involved.

She is making the call to young leaders to try out this year.

“The search is on. If you’re a young person here in PNG or anywhere else in the Pacific, please we would like to have more Pacific Islanders awarded this award next year.

“This is the last year and there’s no other young leaders award after that. Please do get your applications,” she said.

Gizoria and another young female, Johnetta Lili, were recipients of the Queens Young Leaders 2017.

“In 2011 when I held my son in my arms for the first time, I realised that I didn’t have the desired educational qualification and the professional development skills that I thought I’d need to find a job and be financially self-reliant.

“I felt gutted at that time that I couldn’t provide for my son,” she says.

Returning to the University of Papua New Guinea in 2013, Gizoria came across many other young women in her shoes.

And even if it’s a reality, what exactly would you say to her majesty?

“You never get the dream that you’ll meet the queen so you don’t plan what you’ll say,” says Tess Gizoria.

But Gizoria had that opportunity…2 golden minutes of her life she’ll cherish forever.

“Surprisingly she’s human,” Gizoria laughs.

Gizoria was among 59 other young people throughout the Commonwealth invited to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders awards at the Buckingham Palace, from Queen Elizabeth II herself!