Speaker, Sarbjeet (Sunny) Singh: Now it's my honour to announce that the winner of 2024 Premier’s Award - International Student of the Year is... Lara Salaysay.

[Upbeat music with scenes from awards ceremony, participants seated, award trophies, flags lined up, full room of guests, close up of finalists waiting for winners to be announced, Lara excited walks up to receive award, clapping, photos being taken]

Speaker, Fiona Letos, Executive Director: Trade, Global Engagement, International Education: Victoria's international student community is recognised as one of the most diverse student communities in the world.

[Visuals of: Award winner posing for photo, students enjoying the view of Melbourne skyline to the bay and taking photos, crowd mingling]

Speaker, The Hon. John Brumby AO: We're very proud of international students in Victoria. Our international students, they're not just students. They're not just studying. They contribute in so many different ways to the quality of life that we enjoy here in Victoria.

[Visuals of Lara walking back after receiving her award, crowd mingling, wide shot of the full room]

Speaker, Juliet Bao Ngoc Doling: It's honestly incredible. I didn't imagine myself here when I first came to Australia alone, and it's just the power that so many students have to pursue their passions, do the things they want to do.

[Visuals of Study Melbourne ambassadors presenting the awards next to MC, Caroline Hartnett: Director, International Education and Study Melbourne, close up of Juliet speaking, students receiving awards]

Speaker, Lara Salaysay: I'm really feeling grateful right now. [Close up of Lara speaking]

Speaker, Samuel Widodo: I feel so honoured. [Close up of Samuel speaking]

Speaker, Preetham Akula: I just can’t express in words. [Close up of Preetham speaking]

Speaker, Fazil Mohammed: It’s an absolute delight to be here. [Close up of Fazil speaking]

Speaker, Chun (Jimmy) Han: Yeah it’s feeling very good. [Close up of Jimmy speaking]

Speaker, Shin Thant (Berry) Eain: There may be times where we face uncertainty in life, navigating all these different chapters in life. But what we do know, it's that each moment counts. We step into new cultures, confront challenges, and create new connections all away from the comfort of our home. And that is an incredible thing to do once again.

[Berry speaking on stage,  images of the crowd, students with awards, Study Melbourne branding in background]

Speaker, Lara Salaysay: Victoria has a long history of producing excellent international students and change-makers, and I'm sure that all of us, we are very proud to be part of this legacy.

[Visuals of Fiona speaking, Lara receiving the Premier's Award, Lara giving acceptance speech, group photo of all winners]

[Text on screen: Congratulations to all the student winners and finalists]

[Text on screen: Victorian International Education Awards 2024. Proudly presented by Study Melbourne, logo.]

[End of transcript]