Queenslanders should take a bow: Minister

                                     EMBARGOED until 6:30pm

Communities and Multicultural Affairs Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has congratulated 18 exceptional Queenslanders who have won 2008 Queensland Multicultural Awards.

Individuals, schools and businesses, community and government organisations were acknowledged at the awards ceremony held at Parliament House.

“The Queensland Multicultural Awards recognise and celebrate people who have dedicated their time and effort to promoting and supporting diversity in their communities,” she said.

“While some of this year’s winners may be better known than others, they all have one thing in common – a commitment to achieving cultural harmony and providing opportunities for those who are marginalised because of their cultural background.”

Queensland Multicultural Awards were presented in five categories: Community Based Organisations, Schools, Business, Government and Individual.

Ms Nelson-Carr said award recipients were honoured for their long-term efforts which are contributing to Tomorrow’s Q2 vision and helping make Queensland a diverse and dynamic place to live, work and raise a family.

“Our award winners have all contributed to the Queensland Government’s vision to ensure harmony, mutual respect and fairness within our community,” she said.

“They understand cultural diversity enriches our lives in all areas, and they communicate this positive message far and wide.

“The Bligh Government’s vision is focused on creating a fairer Queensland and our winners are actively helping us achieve that.”

Ms Nelson-Carr also officially presented the Queensland Multicultural Champion award to artist Katie Noonan and named Tatiana Grigorieva, Vasilini Lolo, Adele Rice and Steve Ackerie, better known as Stefan, as our State’s Multicultural Achievers for 2008.

“These prominent people have made a significant contribution to developing, supporting and enriching our State’s rich, cultural diversity,” said the Minister.

“As Champion, Katie will focus on promoting cultural understanding and awareness through her profession and other activities during 2009.

“Katie is an inspiring advocate for cultural diversity and was chosen for her dedicated support of human rights, especially for women.

“All award recipients have inspired us with their efforts to promote understanding and acceptance in Queensland, and I thank them for their ongoing commitment.”

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280


Winners of this year’s Queensland Multicultural Awards:

Individual Category — Outstanding Young Achiever: Alan Huynh, St Lucia
Alan is a committed multiculturalism campaigner and youth leader. Currently studying medicine at the University of Queensland, Alan is coordinating a new project to develop and implement a leadership skills camp for young refugee students to learn more about Australian culture.

Individual Category — Refugee Services: Daniel Zingifuaboro, Logan
A refugee from Sudan, Daniel has worked as a volunteer and with community-based organisation, ACCES Services Inc, to help many people in the wider community and to research improvements in settlement services for newly arrived people.

Individual Category — Community Services: Shirley Claire Antonio, Redcliffe
Shirley has voluntarily promoted multicultural awareness, race and multi-faith relations for the past 34 years. She is a co-founder of the Redcliffe Multicultural Community Association and has been involved in many local multicultural and multi-faith festivals and events.

Individual Category — Community Services: Don Dias-Jayasinha, Brisbane
Don has been supporting people from a wide range of culturally diverse backgrounds for more than 30 years. He has worked with the Anglican Refugee Ministry assisting refugees with their settlement in Brisbane and was a founding member of the Sri Lanka Society of Queensland and AMPARO Advocacy group, which provides advocacy for people with a disability from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Individual Category — Community Services: Georgina Valdeter, Townsville
Georgina voluntarily visits non-English speaking residents in their home to teach English and has been a president, secretary, treasurer and member of the Alliance Francaise for the past 25 years and for over 20 years a member of the Migrant Resource Centre in Townsville.

Individual Category — Community Development: Lorella Piazzetta, Carina
Lorella has been a community worker and advocate for multiculturalism for 20 years. As an employee of the Multicultural Development Association Inc for the past 10 years, Lorella has worked to redress inequities in mainstream services for people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Individual Category — Community Development: Gail Ker, Gold Coast
Gail has worked in Logan for the past 20 years in various community roles including a substantial amount of unpaid volunteer work. Gail is the Director of ACCES Services Inc which specialises in providing settlement services for newly arrived migrants and refugees in Logan area.

School Category — Primary School: Durack State School, Inala
With more than 60 per cent of students from a non English speaking background, Durack State School has employed staff whose cultures complement the student population and who are committed to developing cultural awareness and delivering inclusive education.

School Category — Secondary School: Cloncurry State School
Cloncurry State School has a strong staff commitment to developing programs for students that aim to address and break down cultural barriers and appreciate cultural diversity and tolerance. These programs extend from the school into the wider local community to develop cultural awareness and encourage cultural exchange.

Government Category: Cultural Advisory Unit, Queensland Police Service
The Cultural Advisory Unit was established in 1991 to develop and maintain effective relationships between the Queensland Police Service and Indigenous and ethnic communities and to promote understanding of cultural diversity through input into recruitment, training, policy and procedures.

Community Based Organisation Category: Multicultural Development Association Inc, South Brisbane
The Multicultural Development Association Inc provides a range of services to newly arrived refugees and migrants, working in partnership to achieve their aspirations by delivering quality services through advocacy, client service delivery, community development and multicultural sector development.

Business Category — Small Business: Sports Agencies (Gorilla Sports Pty Ltd), Geebung
Gorilla Sports has been involved in the sports industry since 1985, distributing sports equipment to a diverse range of clientele and partnerships. The company actively works with clubs, schools and community groups and despite limited resources, has developed a large network of sponsored and charitable partnerships throughout Queensland.

Business Category — Large Business: The University of Southern Queensland
In 1998, the University of Southern Queensland became the first university in Australia to adopt a formal policy on multiculturalism and is considered the leader in multiculturalism within the higher education sector. Through multicultural initiatives specifically tailored to the needs and community composition of the region, the University contributes to enhancing cultural diversity, reducing prejudice and encouraging community participation.

Multicultural Achiever (Sports): Tatiana Grigorieva
Tatiana took up the sport of pole vaulting when she migrated to Australia in 1997. In her first appearance at the World Championships in 1999, she won bronze. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Tatiana jumped her personal best to win a silver medal. Tatiana retired from the sport in 2007 and formed her own foundation ‘Gift for Dreams’, which aims to inspire disadvantaged young Australians through sporting and recreational programs.

Multicultural Achiever (Arts): Vasil Lolo
Vasil is a member of an outstanding family of migrant musicians from the Czech Republic, who has already given acclaimed performances at festivals and concerts throughout Australia. In addition to classical conservatorium training, Vasil is a natural virtuoso, equally at home performing traditional East European dance music, gypsy style music, classical music from the Czech and Slovak Republics and elaborate jazz improvisations.

Multicultural Achiever (Education and Technology): Adele Rice
Adele is the founding Principal of Milpera State High School, serving in the position since 1984. With Adele as Principal, Milpera State High School has developed dozens of partnerships with community agencies, established a thriving volunteer community and provided every kind of support to a generation of immigrant students and their parents.

Multicultural Achiever (Business): Steve Ackerie
The grandson of a hairdresser, Steve Ackerie moved to Australia from a small town in North Lebanon more than 35 years ago to ply the family trade. In 1964, Steve opened his first salon in Longreach and today, 55 salons and 500 staff later, he runs the largest hair dressing organisation in the history of Australia.

Multicultural Champion: Katie Noonan
As well as being a renowned artist of unique diversity, Katie is passionate in her views on human rights, especially those of women from culturally diverse backgrounds. Katie’s commitment to multiculturalism in Queensland has been demonstrated through her participation in initiatives such as the Queensland Roars Against Racism campaign and the Queensland Multicultural Festival and her support for Amnesty International and their Candle Day initiative, which raises awareness of human rights abuses world-wide.