Crisafulli Government recognises unity champions at Multicultural Awards

• Seven Multicultural Queensland Awards winners honoured with vibrant celebration in Multicultural Month grand finale. 
• Winners from across Queensland bring a variety of backgrounds to their work promoting an inclusive and harmonious state. 
• Pastor Emil Rahimov recognised with prestigious Minister’s Award for tirelessly supporting migrants and fostering cross-cultural harmony. 

Seven inspiring Queenslanders have been recognised at the Multicultural Queensland Awards, proudly supported by the Crisafulli Government. 

The winners were honoured on Friday night at the Logan Entertainment Centre for their practical efforts to build a more inclusive, harmonious and prosperous Queensland. 

The awards were a fitting finale to Multicultural Queensland Month, celebrated throughout August, which has included highlights such as LUMINOUS Parades in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, India Fest in Townsville, the Cairns Italian Festival, as well as performances on the multicultural stage during the Ekka. 

Minister for Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson personally congratulated the winners and described the awards as the icing on the cake of another fantastic Multicultural Queensland Month. 

"It is my absolute privilege to recognise these outstanding Queenslanders for their work in community outreach, interfaith dialogue, refugee advocacy, education, and disaster support,” Minister Simpson said. 

“The Crisafulli Government is working hard to support the aspirations of our diverse communities and build a Queensland in which everyone wants to call home and contribute to our society. 

“The message from our multicultural communities is they are excited to finally work with a government that listens and respects their culture, religion, family and businesses.  

“The overwhelming feedback is clear – the former Labor Government took Queensland’s multicultural communities for granted for the last decade. 

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to celebrating diversity and providing equal opportunity for all Queenslanders - no matter their background.”  

Baptist pastor Emil Rahimov received the prestigious Minister’s Multicultural Award. 

The award recognised his tireless work supporting migrant and refugee communities, as well as fostering interfaith and cross-cultural harmony. 

Mr Rahimov said he hoped the recognition would encourage others in their own volunteering efforts. 

“I stand on the shoulders of others who started long before me,” Mr Rahimov said. 

“I hope someone will stand on my shoulders one day and say: ‘Emil inspired me to serve’.”  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Coombs 0423 295 304 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Other award winners: 

Outstanding Contribution by a New Queenslander: Ben Maiyo (Ipswich) – for volunteering efforts during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, North Queensland floods, and his community outreach. 

Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever: Maisha Bora Program (Cairns) – for empowering migrant and refugee women through skills training and community connections. 

Diversity and Inclusion Champion: John Holland Group (Statewide) – for its paid internship program for refugees and migrants, and inclusive workplace policies. 

Diversity and Inclusion Champion: Lolla Ingadottir (Townsville) - for spearheading initiatives such as NQ Connect and NQ First Nations Connect. 

Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever: Raewyn Burton (Brisbane) – for her work as a volunteer and advocate for Pacific Islanders and multicultural inmates in prison and in immigration detention. 

Lifetime Achiever: Irene Bayldon (Brisbane) – for her work volunteering in the community sector for over 35 years.