Diversity heroes honoured for community service

The Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Government have honoured 61 Victorians for their outstanding achievements in strengthening multiculturalism through professional and volunteer service to the community.

Hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC, the 18th ceremony of Victoria’s Multicultural Awards for Excellence was held at Government House on 19 November 2019.

The Awards recognise people and organisations who have supported migrants and refugees, enhanced cross-cultural understanding, promoted diversity, and fostered community harmony in Victoria.

Nyadol Nyuon received the highest honour of the night, the Premier’s Award for Community Harmony, for her advocacy efforts in the areas of human rights, multiculturalism and the settlement of refugees and people seeking asylum.

Ms Nyuon’s significant contribution to diversity and inclusion in Victoria was also recognised recently when she was named one of the Australian Financial Reviews’ 100 Women of Influence for 2019.

Christian Bashimbe was honoured with the Emerging Leadership in Multiculturalism Award for his work as an advocate for young refugees and migrants, and for helping build the capabilities of young people, including those from his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SBS Somali and SBS Italian were acknowledged with the Media Award for their outstanding coverage following the tragic events of the Bourke Street attack in 2017, where they helped to defy negative stereotypes of Victoria’s Somali and Muslim communities and reinforced the compassion being expressed among the community.

Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen said the awards provide an opportunity to celebrate and promote inspiring examples of service to Victoria’s multicultural community.

“Victoria’s reputation as one of the most successful and welcoming multicultural societies in the world isn’t by chance, it’s because of the tireless efforts of Victorians who have helped diversity thrive.”

“The Multicultural Awards shine a light on those diversity heroes who make a profound difference in the lives of culturally and linguistically diverse people every day and contribute to building and maintaining community harmony,” said Ms Nguyen.

Recipients receive the awards for either paid or voluntary community service across all aspects of civic life, including business, government, education, media, volunteering, youth and policing.

See the full list of awards recipients.

Follow @multiculturevic on Twitter(opens in a new window), Instagram(opens in a new window) and Facebook(opens in a new window) for all the coverage of our 2019 Diversity Heroes and the awards ceremony.

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