Punjabi producer awarded for tackling challenging issues

Rowville’s Manpreet Kaur Singh is celebrating today after winning the Multicultural Media Award at a prestigious ceremony at Government House last night.

Manpreet joined more than 70 people and 23 organisations who were recognised for their achievements at the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) 2013 Multicultural Awards for Excellence.

VMC Chairperson, Mr Chin Tan said that the awards recognise everyday heroes such as Manpreet, who put themselves forward to make a difference to celebrate and support multicultural Victoria.

“As Executive Producer of SBS’s Punjabi radio program, Manpreet explored domestic violence in the Australian Indian community with her radio documentary The Enemy Within last year.

“Manpreet won the Multicultural Media Award for confronting this important issue and telling it through the voices of victims, families and experts.

“Manpreet’s documentary won the 2013 United Nations Association of Australia Media Award and she was finalist at the 2013 Walkley Award.

Mr Tan said Manpreet continues to challenge stereotypes by collaborating with Victoria’s Immigration Museum on the Identity: Yours. Mine. Ours. exhibition which is currently showing.

“Since migrating to Australia in 1991, Manpreet has worked in newspapers, television and online media to preserve the history of Indian arrival in Australia and help others build their Australian Indian identity and we all look forward to benefiting from her future endeavours”, he said.

Mr Tan said the 2013 Multicultural Awards for Excellence attracted more than 200 nominations, showing the breadth of work and the support for people who make Victoria a great place to live.

“The annual Awards for Excellence confirm the Victorian Government’s commitment to promoting Victoria as a multicultural place, with His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria and the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable Denis Napthine presenting awards,” he said.

Awards were also presented by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras, Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell, Minister for Education Martin Dixon, and Chief Commissioner of Police Ken Lay.