At Asuria, the Enterprising Heart Awards recognise individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to our mission and make a meaningful difference to the communities we support. The Individual of the Year Award honours someone who not only achieves outstanding results, but who also inspires others through their dedication, leadership and willingness to embrace challenge.
In 2025, we are proud to recognise Melissa Warn, RTO and Self-Employment Assistance Business Development Specialist in Tasmania, as Asuria's Individual of the Year. Melissa has delivered outstanding results throughout the year and has demonstrated what it truly means to live our Enterprising Heart guiding principle of ‘Challenge Accepted’.
When unexpected changes resulted in a leaner Business Development team at the beginning of the year, Melissa stepped forward to ensure continuity and momentum across Tasmania. Instead of being overwhelmed by increased responsibility, she embraced the challenge and continued to deliver exceptional outcomes for learners, employers and the wider community.
Melissa manages a diverse portfolio that includes full qualifications, Employability Skills Training, Career Transition Assistance and the Self-Employment Assistance program (Micro Business Training). Despite the breadth of this work, she strengthened partnerships with providers and stakeholders, deepened her understanding of the RTO landscape and ensured that programs remained accessible and visible to those who needed them most.
When referral rates fell across the sector during Term 1, Melissa took proactive steps to rebuild demand and reinvigorate engagement across the state. She implemented a series of initiatives that expanded visibility and created meaningful community touchpoints.
Her activities included delivering a monthly radio segment on Tyga FM 98.9, hosting statewide pop-up information sessions and representing Asuria at the Hobart Aged and Disability Expo. These touchpoints helped maintain trust, strengthen brand presence and ensure continued access to training and support for participants and local communities.
Alongside this, Melissa managed more than 244 full qualification places, supported EST and CTA activity, promoted traineeships and drove referrals to the Self-Employment Assistance program. She carried a significant workload while ensuring that every participant engagement was considered and meaningful.
The results of Melissa’s efforts were evident throughout the year. By Term 2, she had recovered almost all of Term 1’s shortfall, and by Term 3 she had filled nearly every available qualification place.
Her outreach and relationship building delivered strong results across Tasmania. Melissa generated broad community support for the 2026 Skills Tasmania submission, strengthened partnerships with referring providers, and increased employer engagement across the state. These efforts contributed to a significant uplift in referrals and interest, ensuring that qualification places were fully utilised and demand remained strong heading into 2026.
Her work not only filled programs but strengthened confidence in the training opportunities Asuria provides, leading to continued demand from participants, families and local stakeholders.
Melissa also expanded her capability by upskilling in the Student Experience process. This allowed her to support faster enrolments and provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both participants and employers.
Melissa’s impact reaches far beyond the figures. Her ability to build genuine connections with people has contributed to stronger community relationships and increased enrolment confidence across Tasmania. Whether through face to face sessions with families, outreach events or small community gatherings, Melissa has shown an authentic commitment to understanding needs and guiding participants toward the right opportunities.
Her work has strengthened Asuria's presence in Tasmania, reinforced partnerships, and ensured that our programs continue to create opportunities that support long term success.
Melissa’s achievements throughout 2025 demonstrate the power of meeting challenge with courage, resilience and purpose. Her leadership and dedication reflect the best of Asuria and the Enterprising Heart that drives our organisation forward.
We congratulate Melissa, Asuria’s 2025 Individual of the Year. Her work reminds us that when we choose growth in the face of challenge, we unlock impact that lasts.