Today I can look back over the past 40 years and know I did something useful with my life!: Neena Sinha, Multicultural NSW’s 2025 Interpreters and Translators Medal Winner

Neena Sinha was awarded Multicultural NSW’s 2025 Interpreters and Translators Medal for her dedication to interpreting and translating. Indus Age brings an exclusive interview for our readers.

By Nidhi Kumari

You moved to Australia from Delhi in the late 1970s. What was that transition like for you, and what challenges did you face as a migrant?

I completed my Masters from Delhi University, India. I married and moved to Sydney, Australia, in the late 1970s. As there were very few Indians at that time, I felt very lonely and faced many challenges in the beginning. We did not have many Indian spice shops or Indian Restaurants in Sydney. When going out to eat, choice was limited to Aussie food like Fish and chips, Aussie Pies or Hamburgers or the rare European or Chinese places. We had to adjust to the Australian culture and environment. Going to the beach or pubs for socializing was very common. Two funny incidents stand out; like when I had to make Indian Chapatis with plain flour as I could not find wholemeal flour or when I was asked at a local corner shop what flavour yogurt I wanted. Coming directly from India, I found that question very strange as I just wanted plain natural yogurt or curd as we called it in India. I found this very amusing and later had a good laugh about it with my friends.

What inspired you to become a translator and interpreter, and how did you get started in this field?

Feeling lonely and being a very active person, I joined and completed several courses, got involved with community work and became a member on the executive committee of several community and social organisations where we helped newly arrived migrant women to settle in their new country of adoption. I was one of the founder members of a womens’ social and cultural organization where we organized social and cultural programmes for women to make friends and find a social outlet.

I was also in the executive committee of several organisations and got involved with the local council in Multicultural committees. I became chairperson of “Immigrant Womens’ Speakout Association” where we advised and helped migrant women from different backgrounds and countries with their various issues including domestic violence and helped them assimilate into the new culture. I was the main organizer of the First Womens’ Forum under the auspices of “United Indian Association”, an umbrella body of Indian Associations in Sydney, Australia. This provided a platform for women of Indian and other backgrounds to come together and air their concerns in settling in the new country.

I also helped in setting up a website to direct women to the several facilities available like Legal Aid, Counselling Services etc. In this way I was able to assist these women in familiarizing themselves with all the resources and help available in Australia. I have also had the privilege of being selected as a member of the Indian Ministerial Committee of the New South Wales government. As part of this committee, it was our role to advise the NSW government on the needs of the Indian community besides several other cultural matters. I was involved with the setting up of the first Hindu Temple which provides a worship place for thousands of Hindus in Australia.

I was in the cultural committee of an annual cultural programme called “Navrang” where we helped raise funds for the first Hindu Temple by organizing, choreographing and participating in Cultural Entertainment Programmes like Music, Dances, Dance Dramas and Hindi Plays including a Shadow Play (and the first Hindi Play in Australia). We also involved the children in these cultural programmes so that they could retain their Indian cultural heritage.

You’ve been deeply involved in community work for decades. Was there a defining moment that made you realize this was your calling?

During my interactions with people at several public social and cultural functions, I realized that language was a barrier for new arrivals. Due to language issues, especially in speaking and understanding the Australian accent and colloquial phrases, and lacking confidence in a foreign country, people needed help in communication, particularly in formal situations like Courts, Police Stations, Hospitals, Service NSW and other government departments etc. I wanted to assist these people to be able to manage different aspects of their lives in a foreign country.

I became a member of the International Linguistic Pool. When I realised that some newly arrived people from Indian origin needed help in translating formal documents and interpreting in certain formal situations, I qualified in the NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) exam and became a Professional Level 3 Interpreter. Later I was asked to become a NAATI examiner and worked as a NAATI examiner as well besides Interpreting and translating. I have been a professional Interpreter and translator and have been doing this for over 40 years. I have felt a great sense of fulfillment, achievement and satisfaction in helping many newly arrived people and their families during challenging times.

You started Hindi and English language classes for migrants to help with settlement. What were some of the biggest challenges your students faced in adapting to life in Australia?

I got involved in teaching Hindi to young children in classes held at the Sri Mandir or the first Hindu Temple in Australia. I also started the English language classes for newly arrived migrants from different countries teaching them Australian English to facilitate their settlement in Australia. I realized the challenges some of my students faced in a new country like Australia where the English accent and colloquial phrases were quite different from the English spoken in India. Indians, having learnt their English from British, found the Aussie way of speaking and casual lifestyle very different. Everyone was trying to adjust to the lifestyle and culture but the most challenging aspect was understanding the typical Aussie accent or their different usage of words.

You are a founder of the Indian Women’s Social and Cultural Organisation and Chair of the Immigrant Women Speak Out Association. What impact have these organizations had on migrant and refugee women?

During my years of community work with women from diverse backgrounds and countries, whether they come from the Middle East, Europe or Asia, I have felt it is a culture shock for them to come to a country like Australia and they find it very difficult to assimilate with the Australian society. Each woman coming from a separate background found it very challenging to settle in Australia especially if they came from a middle eastern country like a Muslim dominated country where Purdah was prevalent in their own countries. Some of them also did not understand what domestic violence was. All this and any community work makes me feel good as it allows me to help people as they settle into their lives in a new country.

Can you share a story of a migrant or refugee woman you helped, which left a lasting impact on you?

Since I love meeting and interacting with people, I gradually concentrated more on Interpreting work. During my experiences as an Interpreter, I have faced many challenging situations, especially in formal situations like the Supreme Court or local courts. People who come to courts are nervous, scared and stressed. I feel they look up to me in my role. It is very important for people to get a “fair go”. I derived a great sense of satisfaction whenever I achieved something good in my work in the courts. As Interpreters, we are required to remain impartial yet cultural nuances are crucial in legal settings. One example that comes to mind is where a woman was too scared to speak up about the physical and emotional violence she faced at the hands of her husband.

The husband did not understand it was against the law. The wife thought it was okay as he was the breadwinner of the family and did not realise it amounted to domestic violence. In that particular instance, I had to advise the judge about the cultural difference and the hesitation of the woman to speak up against her husband. Having explained the situation to the judge, I was able to speak to the woman sympathetically in more detail and help her in answering the questions she was being asked by the lawyer. This was not the only incident of a delicate issue like domestic violence. I have encountered many cases like this and have had to take some initiative to help the Magistrate or Judge understand the sensitivity of such an issue.

In your 40 years of service, how have you seen the role of interpreters evolve, especially in the legal and community sectors?

In my 40 years of service, I have found that the role of Interpreters has grown and evolved immensely, especially in the Legal, Medical and Community sectors. As years have passed and Australia has become a more cosmopolitan country with multicultural people of various races and backgrounds, the government institutions have learnt to understand, accept, appreciate and respect different cultures and modify some rules to accommodate social differences. Interpreters are now permitted to interpret and explain details about cultural beliefs that a judge, magistrate or a lawyer may not understand.

You were honored at the International Translation Day celebrations at NSW Parliament House for your 40 years of service. What does this recognition mean to you?

Having received recognition, by being awarded a Certificate for my 4o years of service at the International Translations and Interpreters Day celebrations at NSW Parliament House, was a very humbling and emotional experience for me. It brought back memories of the years I had spent meeting and helping numerous people from different walks of life and how much I had enjoyed myself.

Winning the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Award is a huge achievement. How do you feel about this honor, and what message do you have for aspiring interpreters and community workers?

It’s a huge honour to win the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Award and to receive a medal for my 40 years of service at the Premiere’s Harmony Dinner held at the International Convention Centre. I have enjoyed my work immensely and have derived great satisfaction and pleasure in doing this work. This has given me a great sense of fulfilment and achievement. I would like to inspire future aspiring interpreters and community workers to keep on going with their goals in life as the feeling of satisfaction that one gets through helping others cannot be matched by any other work in life.

You wake up each day thinking about what good you can do. What continues to motivate and inspire you after four decades of service?

Each morning that I wake up, I thank God for giving me another day. Another day which I can make more productive and to get that adrenaline rush to meet and overcome another challenge. I get up every morning trying to work out what good thing I can do each day. I derive my inspiration and motivation from people who have achieved a lot in their lives and continue to bring happiness in others’ lives. I see my work as an Interpreter for Multicultural NSW as very rewarding. This keeps me going.

Looking back on your incredible journey, what do you consider your greatest achievement, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?

Today I can look back over the past 40 years and know I did something useful with my life!
There have been numerous highlights and memorable moments during my career path where I have had the pleasure of meeting interesting people and helping them to become more independent in their adopted country. My greatest achievement has been the happiness I have given people whom I have been able to help. I have derived great satisfaction from seeing the smiles on their faces. To conclude, I would like to emphasise that I am very grateful for the opportunities Australia has provided me in giving back to society. Reminiscing about my journey since arriving in Australia, I am filled with a great sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment!