A simple “why not?” changed Atiu Madut’s life. Now the law student, refugee advocate and all-round powerhouse is encouraging others to take the same leap.
Last year, 22-year-old Atiu Madut was sitting in a room full of incredible young changemakers, assuming someone else would walk away with the Young Volunteer Award at the 2024 South Australian Volunteer Awards – now open for 2025 nominations.
When she realised it was actually her name echoing through the speakers, shock took over.
“I was like, wait – have I really done something that cool?” Atiu says. “It was overwhelming, but also so, so special. My parents were there cheering me on, and I think for them, it was just as big a moment as it was for me.”
In truth, Atiu has done plenty of cool things that have made a real impact in SA – and she’s only just getting started.
From school volunteer to community powerhouse
Atiu’s volunteering journey started with a simple “why not?”
“I was in high school, and one of my teachers mentioned this volunteering opportunity. I thought, why not? I signed up, and it turned out to be one of the best things I ever did,” she says.
That small “yes” led her to the Australian Refugee Association (ARA), where she joined the Youth Ambassador Program – first as a participant, then as a mentor, and now as a guiding force for new students coming through the program.
The initiative helps young people from refugee backgrounds build leadership skills and confidence, and Atiu plays a crucial role in making that happen.
“The program is all about helping young people figure out their ideas and vision for their communities,” she says. “I’ve seen students come in shy and unsure of themselves, and by the end, they’re leading projects and advocating for change.”
But ARA isn’t the only place Atiu has lent her skills. She’s volunteered at Adelaide Fringe, the Women’s Legal Service SA, and in various community projects – including a cultural showcase at her former high school that grew from a small event into an annual highlight.
“I love being part of things that make an impact,” she says. “Once you start volunteering, you realise how many ways you can help.”
Breaking barriers and building bridges
Born in South Sudan and raised in a Kenyan refugee camp, Atiu and her family arrived in Australia when she was just seven years old, seeking a fresh start.
“I remember stepping out of the airport and just feeling freezing cold – that’s my first memory of Australia,” she says. “But from the start, South Australia was welcoming.”
Her family’s journey wasn’t always easy. “My parents went through so much before we got here,” she says. “They had to flee South Sudan, live in Kenya, and they didn’t always know where their next meal would come from. They just ate whatever they could find to survive.”
More than a decade after arriving, Atiu has made a real mark on South Australia – a place she now proudly calls home.
“South Australia is a really great place. I’ve lived here almost my whole life – South Australia has a special place in my heart.”
‘Refugees come out stronger’
Atiu also embraces the richness of having two cultures, knowing that being a refugee is not a limitation but a testament to resilience.
“Being a refugee doesn’t make you any less of a person,” she says. “It just means you’ve had a really bad experience, and now you’re trying to rebuild yourself.”
“Refugees come out stronger. I’ve met people who come here and, within a few years, establish businesses and grow so much. It’s amazing to see how they integrate and thrive.”
But she says every refugee’s journey is unique – and not always easy. “That’s why I think things like the Youth Ambassador Program and community projects are so important. They help people find their place.”
Her work also extends to her community, as she meets with local South Sudanese leaders to speak about and find ways to address issues within the community.
Why volunteering is so much more than just ‘nice to do’
Ask Atiu why she’s so passionate about volunteering, and she’ll tell you it’s because of what it gives back.
“You learn so much about yourself. You meet people from different walks of life. You get skills you’d never get just sitting in a classroom,” she says.
“Honestly, volunteering has made me more confident. I know how to talk to people, how to step up when something needs to be done. It’s helped me in ways I never expected.”
That confidence has translated into her studies – she’s currently finishing up a Bachelor of Criminology and Law at the University of Adelaide, as the first in her family to attend university.
Meanwhile, she’s juggling her work at ARA, where she’s now employed as a migration admin officer, helping people navigate visas and citizenship pathways.
“It’s full circle,” she says. “I started as a volunteer, and now I get to do this work as my job. But I’ll never stop volunteering – I think it’s just part of who I am now.”
A passion for law and a top future leader
Atiu’s drive to study law wasn’t just about landing a career – it was about empowering people who, like her family, have faced immense challenges navigating new systems.
“For me, law is about making sure people – especially those from refugee and migrant backgrounds – understand their rights and have access to proper legal assistance,” she says. “The legal system can be overwhelming, and I want to help people feel less lost in it.”
Her passion and leadership haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2023, Atiu was named one of Australia’s Top100 Future Leaders, an exclusive list celebrating the country’s most promising young change-makers.
“I honestly didn’t expect it,” she says. “But being recognised like that made me realise that all the work I’ve been doing – volunteering, mentoring, advocating – it really does make a difference.”
And if that wasn’t enough, she was also shortlisted for the 2025 FUSE Multicultural Advocacy Network program, which means her pitch for a model of youth engagement at a national level will be presented to parliamentarians in Canberra.
Thinking about volunteering? Here’s Atiu’s advice
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering but weren’t sure where to start, Atiu says to “just give it a go”.
“You don’t have to change the world overnight,” she says. “Start small. Find something you care about. Whether it’s sports, music, social justice – there’s a way to volunteer in almost anything.”
Atiu never expected volunteering to become such a big part of her life – but now, she can’t imagine it any other way.
“I didn’t plan for any of this,” she says. “But I kept saying yes, and here we are.”
Maybe it’s time for you to say yes too.
Know a volunteer who deserves to be celebrated?
For those who are already making a difference through volunteering, nominations are now open for the 2025 South Australian Volunteer Awards, presented by the SA Department of Human Services.
This year marks 20 years of the state’s most prestigious volunteer awards, celebrating the incredible individuals who make our communities stronger and kinder every day.
“There are so many people doing amazing work who don’t realise how much impact they have,” Atiu says. “These awards aren’t just about recognition – they’re about celebrating the people who keep our communities strong.”
Nominations are open until 30 March for the 2025 South Australian Volunteer Awards. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight (or if that someone is you), visit the Volunteering SA&NT website to get your nomination in now.
