Thursday, 14 August 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:38): The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are an inspiring opportunity to honour extraordinary individuals and organisations across our state whose dedication and contributions strengthen the fabric of our multicultural state. There are only two weeks remaining to submit a nomination in the 14 award categories in 2025. Categories include the arts, business and employment, emergency services, mental health and wellbeing, sport, youth leadership, the multicultural honour roll and the Premier’s Award for Community Harmony. This broad spread of categories reflects the many ways our state is enriched by contributions from members of our multicultural communities. They honour the Victorians who work tirelessly and often quietly to build bridges across cultures and ensure everyone can participate fully in our shared society.

Last year’s winners showed us the power of the community in action. We had 25 inductees into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll. Our Fire Rescue Victoria multicultural liaison officers took home the Emergency Services Award through their work in helping multicultural communities reduce fire and emergency risk. The Albanian Moslem Society Shepparton took home the Arts Award.

Wendy Lovell interjected.

Ingrid STITT: It is a very great organisation. That was in recognition of their work in celebrating and preserving Albanian culture through language classes, community support and annual events such as the harvest festival, which I had the pleasure of attending in April. Rasha Abbas, the founder of Palestine Australia Relief and Action, received the Refugee Leadership Award. Her leadership drives impactful support and champions the rights and wellbeing of Palestinians and vulnerable migrant communities who have left the devastation of Gaza.

These awards are about recognising the people and organisations who work every day to make our communities stronger, fairer and more connected and also recognising those who embody the very best of Victoria. Nominations close on Wednesday 27 August, and I look forward to celebrating the amazing work.