By Aristidis Tsoulakos
On Wednesday, December 4, the Multicultural Awards for Excellence were held, an annual event celebrating individuals and organisations making remarkable contributions to fostering unity and diversity across Victoria.
Hosted at Government House by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, the awards highlighted stories of leadership, innovation, and resilience.
This year’s ceremony, coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), attracted more than 220 eligible nominations across 14 categories, demonstrating the vast scope of contributions from Victoria’s multicultural communities.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the awards as a celebration of the diversity that unites the state, saying, “The Victoria I love is a place where we come from hundreds of different backgrounds, but we are one community—tonight we celebrate and honour individuals and organisations for their remarkable contributions to a united Victoria.”
The Premier’s Award for Community Harmony was awarded to Wyndham Central College Community Hub, a programme that enhances family capacity, improves student outcomes, and builds community partnerships. Through language courses and cultural support services, the hub has become a symbol of connection and harmony in the region.
The event also recognised 25 individuals inducted into the multicultural honour roll, celebrating their legacies of fostering inclusivity and diversity.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt highlighted the importance of these contributions, noting how the awardees’ work “fosters cross-cultural understanding, strengthens community bonds, and creates a more inclusive Victoria.”
VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen added that these multicultural champions “build bridges between communities to improve the lives of others.”
Now in its 23rd year, the Multicultural Awards for Excellence continue to adapt and grow, with categories spanning arts, business and employment, emergency services, local government, media, mental health and wellbeing, police, prevention of family violence, refugee support, sport, and youth leadership. This broad representation guarantees the recognition and celebration of the diverse contributions of multicultural individuals and organisations.
A particular highlight of the night was the recognition of Greek Australians for their outstanding contributions to Victoria’s multicultural community. Sotiris Hatzimanolis, Associate Professor Iraklis Harry Minas, Senior Serjeant Stylianos Spyrou, Keely Kontaxis, and Darren Kenos were among the notable awardees, receiving recognition for their exceptional work.
Notable figures were also inducted on the Multicultural Honour Roll including Associate Professor Josefine Antoniades, Costa Vasili, and Professor Nicholas John Papastergiadis, reflecting the Hellenic diaspora’s enduring impact on Victoria’s cultural and social landscape.
Assoc Prof. Antoniades was recognised for her impactful work in dementia awareness and health literacy for culturally diverse communities, whilst Prof. Papastergiadis was recognised for his research on migration and culture which has shaped global conversations on multiculturalism.
Mr Vasili, a proud Greek Cypriot Australian and founder of Ethnolink, was recognised for 13 years of pioneering work in multilingual and multicultural communications.
“It’s an honour to be recognised for work that has been my life’s passion. Multiculturalism is at the heart of Victoria’s identity, and it’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to building a more inclusive society,” Mr Vasili said about his recognition, and thanked his parents George and Christine for their support.
The event highlighted the continued contribution of individuals from diverse backgrounds in shaping a stronger, more united Victoria. It inspired future generations to champion inclusion, celebrate diversity, and uphold the values of unity and collaboration.
For a complete list of awardees and to view the awards ceremony, visit the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s website here: https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/multicultural-awards-for-excellence
