MULTICULTURAL AWARDS OPEN FOR VICTORIAN CHAMPIONS

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02 August 2024

The Allan Labor Government and the Victorian Multicultural Commission are honouring and celebrating the work of the individuals and organisations who have made contributions to the success and strength of a diverse Victoria.

Nominations are open for the 2024 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence, now in their 23rd year, which recognises the outstanding efforts of Victorians who promote cultural diversity, inclusion and community harmony.

Victorians can be nominated for undertaking either paid or voluntary work, with award recipients set to be honoured at a ceremony at Government House later this year.

This year’s Awards includes 14 categories covering the Arts, Business & Employment, Emergency Services, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sport, Youth Leadership, the Multicultural Honour Roll and the Premier's Award for Community Harmony.

The 2023 Multicultural Awards for Excellence recipients included:

  • Free to Feed, a social enterprise that won the Refugee Advocacy Award, for creating employment opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum.
  • Nandita Chakraborty, who won the Arts Award for advocating for better support for multicultural Victorians with non-visible disabilities through her installations and films.
  • Rhea Werner, who won the Youth Leadership Award for leading Embrace Collective Youth, Australia’s first nationwide youth body-image organisation that champions the voices of multicultural young people in healthcare policy.

Nominations will close at 11.59pm on 8 September 2024. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit: multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/multicultural-awards-for-excellence.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt

“As a state, we are so proud of our thriving diverse communities and the Multicultural Awards for Excellence are a fantastic opportunity to ensure the extraordinary contributions of Victorians are recognised and celebrated.”

“We know that there are so many Victorians who tirelessly contribute to building our diverse and wonderful state, and I can’t wait to see the fantastic nominations that will come for the 2024 Multicultural Awards for Excellence.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen

“The VMC believes in showcasing the incredible contributions of our multicultural communities whose work helps shape and foster the harmony that is necessary for all to thrive.”

“I encourage everyone to nominate a person or organisation for an award. This not only recognises exceptional contributions – it also helps all Victorians to understand who we are and what we bring to Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“Our success as a state is indebted to the extraordinary contributions of our diverse communities. These awards pay tribute to those who make our state such a vibrant and welcoming place to live.”