Victorian Multicultural Awards Celebrate Excellence, Harmony and Inclusion: In a remarkable celebration of diversity, the Victorian Government and the Victorian Multicultural Commission honoured individuals and organisations whose outstanding contributions strengthened belonging, unity and inclusion across the state. This year’s Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence recognised 27 award winners at a special ceremony hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, at Government House.
The award winners span across 14 categories, including arts, business, emergency services, media, police, sport and youth. They include:
- Luba Tanevski, a migration agent and advocate with more than 35 years of service supporting migrant and refugee women, empowering them to rebuild their lives after escaping family violence
- Centre for Muslim Wellbeing, a community-led organisation that works to improve mental health, spiritual wellbeing and social cohesion for Victoria’s Muslim communities
- COOK4CALD, a youth-led charity that works to address food insecurity by providing culturally inclusive meals and hosts a variety of community events
- Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky, a Victoria Police Chaplain who to fosters social cohesion and bridges the gap between Victoria Police and Jewish young people.
The Premier’s Award for Community Harmony was awarded to Ruchi Sharma and Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer. The award recognises the transformative work of both recipients in keeping Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities connected, and support community health and wellbeing.
Recognising Diversity Across Multiple Sectors
The awards spanned 14 key categories, including arts, business, emergency services, media, police, sport, health, youth leadership and community harmony. A further 36 distinguished individuals were inducted into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, showcasing the deep and lasting impact of multicultural leadership throughout the state.
Quotes From Leaders
Premier Jacinta Allan emphasised:
“These awards recognise and celebrate individuals and organisations who embody the spirit of a welcoming and inclusive Victoria, where everyone can belong and thrive.”
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt added:
“Each award recipient reflects the strength of Victoria’s diversity, contributing to united communities and a shared future, where people are valued, included and inspired.”
Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson, Vivienne Nguyen AM, stated:
“These prestigious annual awards demonstrate that embracing difference makes us stronger. The passion, dedication and achievements of our nominees reflect the richness and resilience of Victoria’s multicultural communities.”
2025 Award Winners in Full
Arts Award
Winner: Dr Anindita Banerjee
Highly Commended: Asamina Theatre Company
Business and Employment Award
Winner: VicReturn
Highly Commended: CAVAL Ltd.
Emergency Services Award
Winner: Multicultural Emergency Management Partnership (MEMP)
Highly Commended: Ahmad Jahfar
Local Government Award
Winner: Greater Shepparton City Council
Highly Commended: Abbas Sheikh
Media Award
Winner – Organisation: The Philippine Times
Winner – Individual: Dellaram Vreeland
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award
Winner: Centre for Muslim Wellbeing
Highly Commended: GenWest
Police Awards
Police Annual Multicultural Award
- Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson – Winner
- Sergeant Rajesh Sambamurthy – Winner
- Sergeant Verity Newport – Winner
Police Community Exemplary Award
- Dr Jennie Barrera OAM – Winner
- Board of Imams Victoria – Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi – Winner
- Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra – Winner
- Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky – Winner
Protective Service Officer Multicultural Award
- Senior Protective Service Officer Ali Kalim – Winner
Police Multicultural Media Award
- Senior Constable Ding Cai – Winner
- Sarah Vanin – Winner
Premier’s Award for Community Harmony
Winner – Organisation: Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer
Winner – Individual: Ruchi Sharma
Prevention of Family Violence Award
Winner: Luba Tanevski
Highly Commended: Benevolence Australia Inc.
Refugee Awards
Refugee Achievement Award
Winner: Peter Cinzah
Highly Commended: Sarah Birara Nega
Refugee Leadership Award
Winner: Parsu Budathoki
Highly Commended: Mabor Majur Chadhuol
Refugee Young Leader Award
Winner: Yuwaluxshayan Kannan
Highly Commended: Harambee Homework Club
Refugee Business Award
Winner: Arabic Welfare Incorporated
Highly Commended: Mohammad Jamshid MohammadiSport Award
Winner: Bachar Houli Foundation
Highly Commended: Diana Lin
Victorian Public Sector Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Award
Winner: Northern Health
Highly Commended: VETASSESS
Youth Leadership Award
Winner: COOK4CALD
Highly Commended: Adriel Abinav AppathuraiVictorian Multicultural Honour Roll (36 Inductees)
Cristina Ponce Abela, Dr Raju Adhikari, Dr Ponniah Anandajayasekeram, Achol Arow, Suzy Bourdamis, Bhakta Dasa, Dr Teresa De Fazio OAM, Nyaruon Deng, Vedran Drakulić OAM, Sukhvinder (Sunny) Singh Duggal, Cora Fuentes-Mahnic, Dr Adolfo Gentile, Berhan Ismael Jaber, Rana Shahid Javed, Helen Kalimniou, Angelos Terrence Kenos, Eugenia Mitrakas OAM, Cecilia Rabecca Mphande, Selliah Nalliah, Tammy Nguyen, Kifarkis Nissan, Rev Deacon George Piech Meat, Pavan Kumar Rangaraju, Silvana Raydan, Roxanne Sarthou, Nilaufer Singh, Salvatore Sposato, Junxi Su, Anna Thimyoe Takluem, Ali Agha Wali Zada, Dr Bruce Wong, Ali Y… (final name truncated in original submission).
A Celebration of Unity
Ultimately, the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence 2025 highlight that diversity is not only an asset—it is a cornerstone of progress. From arts to emergency services, and from youth leadership to business innovation, this year’s awardees have made Victoria more cohesive, resilient and inclusive.
