25 Mar 2014
A diverse group of committed and innovative organisations and individuals have been honoured in the 2014 Migration and Settlement Awards.
Multinational hotels group ACCOR, Netball in Australia and The Family Court are among the winners of the nation’s most prestigious migration awards.
A case worker helping victims of slavery and a man who pioneered communicating to culturally diverse communities were also honoured in the awards ceremony held by the Migration Council of Australia (MCA) at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday.
MCA Chief Executive Carla Wilshire said the qualities of the winners and the strength of the list of finalists showed that Australians were becoming more aware of the positive impact of multiculturalism and migration.
“Australians are increasingly embracing multiculturalism and recognising the importance and value of migration,” she said.
“The quality and spread of shortlisted finalists – across geography and industry sectors – shows us that diversity is becoming more important and relevant to individuals and organisations in Australia,” Ms Wilshire said.
“This year’s list is fantastic advertisement for the benefits of migration and the richness that cultural diversity brings to all our lives,” she said.
The finalists were selected by an eminent, independent judging panel which included Dr Hass Dellal, Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston, Jane Kennedy, Naomi Milgrom and Andrew O’Keefe.
Award winners include:
Settlement Innovation Award
Welcome to Australia for the Walk Together program. A program that saw 12,000 people attending walks in 15 cities and regional centres, aiming to change community attitudes and mobilise a spirit of welcome to our Country.
Case Worker of the Year Award
Sarah Boyle for her extensive work with the Safe House for Trafficked Persons, The Salvation Army. For continuously ensuring that professional and ethical social work principles and practices are at the cornerstone of their service delivery approach.
Business Inclusion Award
ACCOR Hotels for its self-initiated program to successfully recruit and train refugees
Sports Leadership Award
Netball in Australia for implementing a whole-of-sport approach, to create fair, safe and inclusive environments catering for the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Journalism Excellence Award
Leanne Edmistone for her journalistic approach to giving the multicultural diverse members of the community a voice that can be heard.
Diversity and the Law Award
Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court for the Multicultural Action Plan which enables courts to engage with new and emerging communities, to build partnerships and to learn from each other.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mr Joseph Assaf for helping to connect new migrants through the establishment of ethnic media publications and for the many decades he has spent raising awareness of the contribution of migrants through the ethnic business awards.
The Migration Council Australia would like to thank all of the individuals who took the time and effort to nominate themselves, colleagues, organisations or friends.