A long way from her home in Papua New Guinea, Adrine Monagi’s journey as an athlete and scholar has demanded extraordinary commitment and courage, and her graduation reflects a remarkable milestone.
Specialising in the 100m hurdles, she has built a distinguished athletics career, representing Papua New Guinea at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Oceania Championships and Pacific Games.
Through the Griffith University Oceania Australia Foundation Athletics Business Scholarship, which included full tuition, accommodation, and financial support towards athletics, Ms Monagi completed a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Financial Crime Investigation and Compliance.
The scholarship was made possible through a Griffith partnership with the Oceania Australia Foundation and the Oceania Athletics Association.
“From the beginning, I knew a degree would make a massive difference in my life,” Ms Monagi said.
“I am so grateful for the scholarship and the chance to study at Griffith, and train using the facilities.
“It has been an amazing opportunity to live in Australia while I study, train and compete.”
Oceania Foundation Executive Director Helen McMurray said Ms Monagi was the first to graduate from the scholarship program.
“Adrine is an inspirational individual who did not allow earlier setbacks to deter her from reaching her goal,” Ms McMurray said.
“Adrine has never wavered in her determination to achieve this degree, and the Foundation Board extends its congratulations to her on this outstanding achievement.”
Griffith Sport Collage Director Naomi McCarthy OAM said it was an honour to support Ms Monagi’s athletic and academic journey.
“Witnessing Adrine’s athletic and academic success during this time has shown the power of this scholarship,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It has been a privilege for Griffith Sports College to be part of Adrine’s journey, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for her.”
In the first year of her scholarship, she won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games.
Proving a credit to her country, she set a new Papua New Guinea record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.46 seconds at the 2024 Australian National Championships in Adelaide.
She also set a national record in the 60m hurdles at the 2025 Australian Athletics Short Track Championships in Sydney.
“I am also very proud to have been one of eight athletes to compete in the World Athletics Continental Tour 2025 in Melbourne, which is highly competitive and requires world-class results,” she said.
Her success in the athletics arena has shown immense mental strength, a drive that has transferred to her academic study.
With a demanding schedule including five days of training each week, attending course classes, completing assessments and managing part-time work, balancing the demands of elite training with full-time study called for an extraordinary commitment.
Reflecting on her final year, Ms Monagi admitted it tested her resilience more than ever, but with the support of Griffith Sports College, coaches and sponsors, she found the strength to persevere.
“This final year of my degree and sport scholarship has really tested my mental strength, and sometimes parts of you can break and they need healing before you can move forward,” she said.
“I know I have been strong through my athletic and academic career but making it through this year has been a real test of my resilience.
“I have been training and travelling for athletics since I was quite young, and these experiences have helped me to develop resilience and learn valuable lessons both on and off the field.
“I’ve learned to handle challenges independently and set my priorities straight.”
Beyond study, sport, and part-time work, Ms Monagi had embraced life on the Gold Coast.
“I have loved living on the Gold Coast and enjoyed the outdoors lifestyle,” she said.
“I’m an outdoor person and enjoy my own privacy and personal space, so I’ve really loved the morning walks, beaches and going to cafes.”
Looking to the future, Ms Monagi was guided by a passion for justice and integrity towards a career focused on the ethical and legal dimensions of security at both global and regional levels.
With a few years remaining in her peak athletic performance, she was eager to begin a professional journey in Queensland, building on the momentum of her academic success and looking ahead to a future that reflected her achievements and courage to forge a path beyond the ordinary.
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Naomi McCarthy
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