AMES Australia’s iMPACT magazine scoops the ‘media award’ in the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence.

The award recognises ‘outstanding reporting of issues of importance to culturally diverse communities and reporting that contributes to Victorians improved cross-cultural understanding’.

Left to right: Jalal Ahmadzai, Katherine Kwong, Laurie Nowell

The award citation read: “iMPACT is a publication with deep connections to Victoria’s multicultural communities. It tells their stories, airs their issues and celebrates their contributions. By showcasing the inspirational stories of migrants and refugees, iMPACT promotes Australia’s successful brand of multiculturalism and the high levels of social cohesion it delivers”. 

AMES Australia Media Manager, Laurie Nowell, AMES marketing and Comms team members Jalal Ahmadzai and Katherine Kwong were present at Government House Victoria alongside AMES Australia CEO Catherine Scarth to receive the award.

For almost ten years, iMPACT Magazine has covered the refugee, migration and multicultural sectors, publishing original content that analyses changes and trends in the sector while also highlighting the contributions diverse communities make.

Some of the magazine’s highlights from 2023 include:

• A report on an extraordinary African garden in the rural city of Mildura.

The Food Next Door matches under-utilised farmland with landless farmers to support small-scale regenerative farming, growing diverse crops while also engaging people from diverse backgrounds to supply food to local households.  Read more: AMES News

• The story of Burmese refugee Dr Kyaw who was looking forward to successful medical career in his homeland when his world was turned upside down.

A doctor in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, Kyaw was set to become a medical specialist and had dreams of making a difference in the country’s under-resourced health sector.

But, like tens of thousands of his countrymen, Dr Kyaw’s life changed on February 1, 2021 when a military coup saw Myanmar’s newly elected government deposed by the military, known as the Tatmadaw. Read more: AMES News

• A survey of Afghan families evacuated from of Kabul 18 months after it fell to the Taliban found they were feeling welcome, safe and confident about their futures.

Among the things they value about life in Australia are security and safety, career and educational opportunities and health care.

But their biggest issues are the rising cost of living and fear of unemployment. But almost a third plan to start a business. Read more.

The team at iMPACT wish all our readers a happy and safe holiday season.

iMPACT scoops Media Award.