A member of Sydney’s Jewish community who has served the community for more than 40 years promoting multicultural and interfaith dialogue has received top honours at the 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
NSW Premier Mike Baird presented the Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award to Jeremy Jones AM at tonight’s event at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
“Mr Jones has demonstrated a commitment to building bridges between various communities and religious groups in our multicultural society,” Mr Baird said.
“He was the recipient of an Australian Human Rights Medal for his work against racism in 2007 and is a deserving recipient of tonight’s top honours.
“I would also like to congratulate all of the recipients of tonight’s Multicultural Community Medals for their work to keep our society peaceful and harmonious.”
Mr Jones AM was a founder of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations, and serves on the NSW Police Commissioner’s Multicultural Advisory Council.
Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka said the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, now in its fifth year, was a fitting celebration of the state’s cultural diversity.
“We are committed to ensuring NSW is a place where everyone from everywhere can feel at home,” Mr Ajaka said.
“Tonight’s Multicultural Community Medals recognise the exceptional, invaluable and often unseen work done by members of our community.
“I congratulate all of tonight’s winners. They are true champions of multiculturalism and have made our state all the better and richer for their efforts.”
The full list of Community Medal winners and Honour Roll inductees is attached.