SI Journalists Selected to work at Country Press Australia under PACMAS: Role Models for the young generation

Two accomplished journalists from the Solomon Islands, Ulutah Gina of Solomon Star and Mavis Podokolo of Island Sun, have been selected to be among a distinguished group of six journalists across the Pacific region under the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) to work at a Country Press Australia newspaper for two weeks in a regional collaboration and cultural exchange.

Mavis Podokolo Journalist

This opportunity will allow them to gain valuable experience, expand their professional networks, and develop new skills in the field of journalism.

Ulutah Gina

The PACMAS is an important initiative aimed at strengthening media capacities in the Pacific region, offering training and experience to journalists from across the Pacific Islands.

PACMAS welcomes the six journalists

This year’s selection of Ulutah Gina and Mavis Podokolo is a testament to their exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to improving media standards in the Solomon Islands.

Inspiring Role Models for the new Generation

Sampras Anand (Fiji Sun), Ulutah Gina (Solomon Star), Sanju Prasad (Fiji Times), Manaui Faulalo (Samoa Observer), Mavis Podokolo (Island Sun) and Jane Joshua (Vanuatu Daily Post) and PACMAS Team Leader Alex Rheeney.

Ulutah Gina and Mavis Podokolo are not only outstanding journalists but also powerful role models for the young generation in the Solomon Islands. In a region where gender barriers often limit women’s participation in public life, Mavis Podokolo is breaking through and demonstrating that ambition and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements.

An early morning tour at The Age for these six Pacific journalists, here in Australia for a regional collaboration and knowledge exchange. Photo: PACMAS

For young boys and girls in the Solomon Islands, Ulutah and Mavis’s accomplishments send a strong message: success in any field, including journalism, is possible regardless of gender. Their selection for the PACMAS is a significant milestone, not just for their personal careers but for the representation of young hardworking Pacific Islanders in Pacific Island media.


By participating in the two-weeks long program, these two Solomon Islanders will not only elevate their own careers but will also inspire the next generation of young journalists in the Solomon Islands and beyond.

Rear: Mavis Podokolo, Sanju Prasad, Sampras Prasad, Jane Joshua
Front: Ulutah Gina, Manuai Faulalo, PACMAS Project Coordinator Deborah Opie Photo: PACMAS

They are proving that with hard work, they create pathways for others to follow, making their achievements a beacon of hope for young Solomon Islanders who dream of making a difference.


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