Victoria’ s multicultural leaders and champions have been honoured at this year’s Multicultural Awards for Excellence. 

The event celebrated the achievements of 52 award winners at an event held at Government House hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner, AC, Governor of Victoria. 

The awards recognise individuals and groups whose efforts have strengthened inclusion, unity and belonging throughout Victoria. 

The award winners came from 14 categories, including arts, business, emergency services, media, police, sport and youth. 

Among the 23 people added to the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll was Melika Yassin Sheikh-Eldin, works with migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia.

Her citation reveals that Melika has been at the forefront of refugee advocacy in Victoria for over two decades.

“Shaped by her own journey fleeing conflict and rebuilding her life in Australia, her work has focused on transforming how refugees are perceived and integrated into society. She has made refugee settlement a process of empowerment, participation and mutual cultural exchange,” the citation said.

The Premier’s Award for Intercultural Connection for an individual went to Hysni Merja, an Imam, community leader and mentor for Muslim communities who has worked to strengthen understanding, respect and cooperation between diverse faith and cultural groups.

The award for an organisation went to The Victorian Bicultural Workers Network which brings together over 500 bicultural workers of diverse faith and cultural backgrounds, from refugee and migrant communities, to connect, share learnings and build relationships.

The Refugee Leadership Award for an individual went to Azadeh Doosti, who has been an active volunteer and advocate for newly arrived refugee women and families since arriving in Australia in 2012. The award for an organisation went to The Water Well Project, which improves the health literacy of refugees and people seeking asylum.

The Refugee Youth Leadership Award for an individual went to Roqya Husseini, an Hazara-Australian leader whose lived experience as a refugee has inspired a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for culturally diverse young people and communities, particularly through her role as a Multicultural Education Aide.

The award for an organisation went to Wyndham Bright Young Leaders Inc, which empowers multicultural children aged 8–12 through leadership, confidence building, skills-building and cultural connection programs.

The Sport Award for an individual went to Abdul Basir, a team leader of community programs at Uniting Vic/Tas and a multicultural community leader. The award for and organisation went to Hornbill Sports Club was founded by six brothers to unite communities, empower linguistically diverse young people and create pathways through sport.

The Youth Leadership Award for an individual went to Ikram Mahamed a youth advocate delivering outreach and workshops to connect multicultural young people with creative industries. The Dual Identity Leadership Program won the organisation award.

The Prevention of Family Violence Award for an individual went to Malavika Kadwadkar, a senior community engagement and gender equality leader with two decades of experience at the intersection of women’s health, multicultural engagement and family violence. The award for an organisation went to Respect Victoria, Victoria’s dedicated agency for the primary prevention of family violence and violence against women.

Also, 22 people were inducted into the Multicultural Honour Roll, highlighting diverse and extraordinary contributions across the state. 

Among them were social inclusion champion Con Pagonis, CEO of SisterWorks Ifrin Fittock, doctor and community mentor Dr Mariam Hassan and Latin American community leader Melissa Cavero Ortiz.

Governor Gardner told the gathering that multiculturalism was one of Victoria’s strengths. 

“We Victorians people from around 300 countries who speak 290 languages and dialects. Our diversity and inclusivity define who we are. Multiculturalism is part of who we are as Australians,” she said. 

Premier Ben Carroll told the gathering Victoria’s great strength is its diversity.

“For 25 years these awards have recognised those who bring us together and make Victoria a better place for everyone and we are again celebrating their contributions,” he said.

“Around the world diversity is being challenged making communities who have spent years here anxious. But here every person and every community matters. Multiculturalism is too important to take for granted.

“We all have a responsibility to defend multiculturalism. Every child, no matter who they are, can be proud of where they have come from and know that they belong. Every child has a right to feel safe, “ Premier Carroll said.

See the full award list here: https://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/victorian-multicultural-awards-for-excellence