Cultural Diversity in NSW Celebrated at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner
Source : multicultural.nsw.gov.au
A champion for culturally diverse arts, a passionate advocate for women in refugee communities and a multicultural sports innovator are some of the people recognised at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner last night.
Hosted by the Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, the dinner was attended by more than 1,600 community members. As part of the event, Mr Kamper announced the winners of the 2025 Multicultural Community Medals and inductees into the NSW Multicultural Honour Roll.
The Multicultural Community Medals recognised 13 individuals and organisations for their role in strengthening NSW’s diverse and inclusive society.
Amongst the winners were:
- Sandra Morales, who founded Heartdancers, an organisation solely focused on artists from First Nations and culturally diverse backgrounds in the Central Coast and Hunter areas
- Dr. Astrid Perry-Indermaur OAM who has dedicated over 40 years of her career and life to advancing human rights and social justice for women and children from migrant and refugee backgrounds
- Syed Sibtain, founder of Sydney Cricket League, a competition with over 1,000 players from diverse backgrounds, and a community touchpoint for newly arrived migrants to NSW.
Five people were also posthumously inducted into the Multicultural Honour Roll, for their lasting impact on fostering an inclusive, resilient and peaceful society.
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:
“The Premier’s Harmony Dinner is an opportunity to say thanks to the people and organisations who give their time and energy to make NSW more inclusive and connected.”
“This is one of the largest multicultural celebrations in the state, bringing together people from different cultures to celebrate, find common ground and maintain a strong foundation for social cohesion in NSW.”
Multicultural NSW Chief Executive Officer Joseph La Posta said:
“The individuals and organisations we celebrate tonight are the heart and soul of multiculturalism in NSW.”
“Their unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion makes our state stronger, more vibrant, and more connected than ever before.”
“In addition to celebrating the stellar contributions of these worthy winners, this event is a reminder of the rich contribution of migrants to the everyday lives of everyone in our great state.”
2025 Multicultural Community Medal winners
| Medal | Winner | Bio |
| Arts and Culture Medal in honour of Carla Zampatti AC sponsored by Powerhouse | Sandra Morales | Sandra founded Heartdancers – the only organisation in the Central Coast, Hunter and Newcastle areas that solely focuses on collaborating with artists from First Nations and culturally diverse backgrounds. |
| Dr G.K. Harinath OAM Sports Medal sponsored by Sydney Thunder | Syed Sibtain | Syed founded Sydney Cricket League (SCL) in 2016. SCL has over 1000 players from diverse backgrounds and acts as a community touchpoint for people new to Australia. |
| Human Rights Medal sponsored by SSI Equality for Life | Sabrina Khan | Sabrina is an international human rights lawyer and an advocate of women and children’s rights. Herself a survivor of domestic violence, she worked with Afghan, Palestinian, and Iranian women refugees to foster respectful and meaningful cross-cultural dialogue through the arts. |
| Lifetime Community Service Medal sponsored by SBS | Dr. Astrid Perry-Indermaur OAM | Dr. Astrid Perry-Indermaur OAM is an Australian women’s rights activist and a passionate advocate for multicultural communities. She has dedicated over 40 years of her career and life to advancing human rights and social justice for women and their children, from migrant and refugee communities. |
| Multicultural Not for Profit Medal sponsored by NSW Department of Communities and Justice | Dubbo Nepalese Community Australia | Dubbo Nepalese Community Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to cultural preservation and community unity in Dubbo. Established to serve as a cultural bridge, DNCA enhances social cohesion through various initiatives that celebrate Nepalese heritage while promoting multiculturalism. It organised the Nepali Language School, volunteer initiatives, support during crisis. |
| Multicultural Youth Support Medal sponsored by STARTTS | Ahmad Zarar | Ahmad is a coach and mentor at Melrose Park Football Club. He arrived in Australia from Afghanistan in 2022 on a humanitarian visa. He is now an inspiration to the young Afghan refugees he coaches. |
| Regional Unity Medal sponsored by My Guardian | Ashley Young | Ashley Young is a passionate leader in the delivery of equitable and accessible healthcare. He led statewide reforms in Aboriginal Health, Disability Funding, Emergency Department Access, and Immunisation Services. |
| Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Community Harmony Medal sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Syed Shah Khan Amin Zada | Syed is an Afghan refugee who is a passionate advocate for social cohesion in New South Wales. He organised multicultural festivals, art exhibitions, and food fairs, and established mentorship programs that connect young people with community leaders and professionals. |
| Community Languages Teacher Medal sponsored by NSW Department of Education | Maida Kulic Vugdalic | Maida is principal and teacher at Bosnian Ethnic School. Under her guidance, the school has connected people with their Bosnian heritage. She has also led the strategies to heal intergenerational trauma from the war in Bosnia in the 1990s. |
| Interpreters and Translators Medal sponsored by NAATI | Neena Sinha | Neena started interpreting and translating in the 1980s. During her career she helped improve cultural awareness of issues relating to domestic violence. She was one of the founders of Indian Women’s Social Organisation which gave a social outlet to Indian women in Sydney. |
| Multicultural Marketing Campaign of the Year sponsored by Anti-Discrimination NSW | CulturalPulse | CulturalPulse’s Multicultural Fan Engagement Program for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup set a new standard for sports marketing. The campaign drove record match attendance, overcame language barriers, and reached communities previously unfamiliar with women’s sports. |
| Best Report in Multicultural Media | The Jewish Independent | ‘Generation Change’ is a monthly column that elevated and represented the experiences of young Australian Jews. The report profiles community leaders under 40 who are creating a positive impact and addressing often taboo social issues. |
| Multicultural Publication of the Year sponsored by Village Place | The Greek Herald | The Greek Herald has been the voice of the Greek-Australian and Cypriot-Australian community since its establishment in 1926. It is the largest and only daily Greek newspaper in Australia, and has an international readership. |
2025 Multicultural Honour Roll inductees
| Inductee | Bio |
| Ms Nadia Lozzi Cuthbertson OAM | Nadia was the first head of the newly created Ethnic Affairs Commission serving as Executive Officer until 1985. She was considered the ‘right hand’ of Ethnic Affairs Commissioner Dr Paolo Totaro’s in the formative years of the agency and an influential figure in early ethnic affairs policy in NSW. |
| Mr Mohmad El Dana | Mr El Dana founded Al Amanah College in Bankstown and Al Amanah College in Liverpool in 2002 and supported the creation of sister schools—Salamah College and Glenroy Private in Melbourne. In 2008, Mr El Dana led the Building Identity and Resisting Radicalisation (BIRR) Initiative. |
| Mr Emmanuel Alfieris | Emmanuel Alfieris was a passionate advocate for the Greek Australian community, known for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and generosity. His deep connection to his roots inspired his lifelong efforts to unite empower the Greek Australian community. |
| Mr Den Chen | After fleeing Cambodia, Mr Chen and his family settled in Australia, where he became an active volunteer with the Salvation and Cambodian Culture Association from 2000. He worked tirelessly to help refugees and migrants in similar situations. He was also an active fundraiser for Cambodian Buddhist organisations. |
| Mr Jack Passaris OAM | A Founding and Life Member of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECCNSW), Mr. Passaris remained deeply involved with the organisation from its establishment in 1975 until his passing. His commitment never wavered, and his contributions were instrumental in shaping its success. |
