Savanna Holloway was a youth worker with Melaleuca Refugee Centre. She died on 1 May 2008, in an accident on Sydney Harbour. She was a member of Brown's Mart Community Arts and was part of a group of community workers that pioneered the Malak Telecentro and Chambers Crescent Theatre, and also helped organise Malak-based youth activities as part of the Youth Blast Project in 2007-2008. She was often in Malak with the young people she worked with. Below is a statement from Melaleuca Refugee Centre about Savanna:

Everyone at the Melaleuca Refugee Centre has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague Savanna Holloway. The positive way that Savanna has touched all of us in the Darwin community and beyond is reflected by the wonderful support we are receiving from our friends, colleagues and the broader community. For all who knew Savanna, she will be remembered as a bright, energetic, happy and compassionate person with a unique sense of humour, who crammed more into her 25 years than most of us can aspire to.

Through her work and her personality Savanna has made an enormous contribution to the meaningful and positive settlement experience of many people from refugee background in Australia. Savanna’s belief in social justice, human rights and a peaceful world for all was not only concentrated in her work, but permeated in the whole of her being. In her busy life, Savanna managed to get involved in countless activities that carried the hallmarks of her beliefs and commitment.

For these reasons, it isn’t difficult to understand why so many of us are grieving this loss. We at Melaleuca invite all members of the community who wish to express their feelings at this time to visit us or leave a message of good wish. A small memorial has been set up in our foyer for this purpose.

We also want to remain faithful to the beliefs that have driven such an inspiring person as Savanna was to continue our work for social justice, human rights and a peaceful world for all. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and request that any expression of empathy or request for information be treated with respect and sensitivity.