Victor Dominello med rel: Nominations for Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals

Nominations for the 2015 Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals are now open and tickets for the Premier’s Harmony Dinner are now on sale, Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello has announced today.

Winners of the medals will be announced by NSW Premier Mike Baird at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Thursday 12 March 2015.

Mr Dominello said the awards, which include six categories, recognise community leaders who have given outstanding service to multicultural communities across NSW, including through initiatives which promote harmony, respect and understanding.

“The Premier’s Harmony Dinner, now in its fourth year, is an evening of colourful celebration which brings people together from across cultures, faiths and linguistic backgrounds,” Mr Dominello said.

Nominations are now open for the following award categories:
· Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award – for an individual or organisation who builds social cohesion and acceptance between members of different cultures or faiths
· Youth – for an individual under 25 years of age who promotes intercultural dialogue and understanding
· Lifetime community service – for a person who demonstrates exceptional commitment to service within a migrant community or communities
· Arts and culture – for a person who enhances the state’s cultural and artistic life through the promotion of cultural understanding
· Regional communities – for an individual who contributes significantly to the wellbeing of a regional community
· Economic participation – for an individual who fosters stronger economic relations between NSW and another country in the industry sector (nominations made by the NSW Multicultural Business Advisory Panel).

“In addition, nominations are open for the Multicultural Honour Roll, which is a posthumous award that permanently records the names and achievements of significant migrant pioneers.

“The awards celebrate the remarkable stories and achievements of individuals who have served their communities with honour and enriched our State’s cultural diversity.

“NSW is truly one of the most multicultural societies in the world, with 200 different languages spoken at home and over a quarter of our citizens born overseas.

“Ultimately what unites our culturally diverse communities is a sense of mutual respect and belonging to our shared Australian identity.

“We encourage people to nominate individuals who have served their community with distinction and helped to unify our broader society by promoting inter-cultural dialogue, fostering mutual respect and understanding.”

Mr Dominello said the Premier’s Harmony Dinner attracted a broad cross-section of community and business leaders, corporate sponsors, Members of Parliament and representatives of the multicultural media.

“The dinner and awards are part of Multicultural March, a NSW Government initiative which includes a program of activities across the State which showcase the social and economic value of our cultural diversity and will complement Harmony Day events on 21 March 2015.”

Details on the Multicultural Community Medals, Honour Roll and tickets for the Premier’s Harmony Dinner are available at: www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au.
A full calendar of Multicultural March events will also be available on the website in February 2015.