Multicultural Queensland Awards 2024

The Multicultural Queensland Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working towards an inclusive multicultural Queensland.

The Awards ceremony is part of Multicultural Queensland Month in August and it is an opportunity to learn about different cultures  in Queensland and take action towards an inclusive multicultural Queensland.

The 2024 winners are:

Sara Shams

Ms Sara Shams is a disability advocate, speaker, model and health care professional. Born in Bangladesh, she had a congenital anomaly which led to her becoming a bilateral above-knee amputee at the age of six.

Sara’s physical vulnerability affected her confidence and self-esteem. She also noticed that people with disabilities and people of colour were not adequately represented in the workforce and media, so she decided to become an advocate for inclusion and diversity.

Through her advocacy work and public presence, Sara represents culturally and linguistically diverse people living with disabilities. Her Instagram account @nolegs_noworries, which has more than 24,000 followers, provides a platform for education and connection. Her work as a model, participating in fashion shows such as Designer Q and Brisbane Fashion Week and also in advertising, has courageously advanced representation of culturally diverse people with disabilities. Sara also shares her unique story as a motivational speaker at various events.

As a member of the Carers QLD board, she has also become part of the policy-making process.

Lei Hua

Ms Lei Hua is the founder of the Australian National Chinese Women's Federation (ANCWF), a non-profit organisation. The ANCWF helps women and families in crisis, especially due to domestic and family violence or loneliness.

Lei Hua works to safeguard women’s rights, improve their quality of life, promote their career and social development, and help women contribute to their local communities.

Lei Hua also supports the broader community. For example, during the Covid pandemic, when many workers, backpackers and international students were stranded in Australia, she set up a network to help people find accommodation and work. She also taught people how to fill out relevant forms to extend visas, apply for tax file numbers, and access relief payments.

Zakaria Amin

Dr Zakaria Amin has helped culturally and linguistically diverse communities to gain employment skills and opportunities through his non-profit organisations Multicultural Mailer Inc and Queensland Training and Employment Services.

As a result, members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities have better employment prospects, enhanced job readiness, and they are able to integrate into the community more successfully.

Zakaria Amin’s approach to success is collaborative, characterised by his ability to forge partnerships and mobilise resources effectively. He has worked closely with government agencies, community organisations and businesses to coordinate and tailor initiatives according to the needs of community groups.

ECCQ

Established in 1978, the Women’s Ethnic Network (WEN) works to integrate the issues and concerns of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds into government policies, projects, and initiatives. The WEN is supported by the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) and its priorities are advocacy, education, and empowerment.

Since 2022, the WEN have established a leadership team, with the support of ECCQ. The WEN have refreshed their Terms of Reference and rebuilt the group, which now has a membership of more than 100 active participants from more than 40 countries.

The WEN leadership team writes policy, delivers workshops and training, and works with experts on issues that disproportionately affect culturally diverse women such as domestic and family violence, and sexual harassment.

Aitkrnvale State School

Aitkenvale State School in Townsville is a leader in promoting inclusion, participation and diversity. Over the past 20 years, thousands of students from refugee backgrounds have successfully graduated.

It provides comprehensive, tailored support to newly-arrived students, ensuring their successful integration into the school and community.

The school also facilitates a safe, inclusive space for migrants and refugees through the Aitkenvale Community Hub. The hub brings together more than 25 community organisations and businesses to support culturally and linguistically diverse students and families, increasing their engagement and social participation.

Rachael Carter

Mrs Rachael Carter works with culturally and linguistically diverse women in Toowoomba to encourage and facilitate their participation in the community.

Through the Learner Driver Mentor Program initiative, refugee women in Toowoomba have been able to obtain their driver’s licenses. This has transformed their lives – giving them greater mobility, access to employment, and ability to participate in the community.

Rachael has also established a diverse women's network and delivers Flourish – Diverse Women in Leadership workshops.

Rachael is the co-founder of Mosaic Hues, a Toowoomba social enterprise that supports culturally and linguistically diverse people. It helps them to make social connections and provides them with pathways towards economic independence.

Donata Sackey

For more than 30 years, Ms Donata Sackey has dedicated herself to improving the health and wellbeing of newly-arrived refugees and people seeking asylum. She migrated to Australia when she was 10 years old, which inspired her life’s work.

During her career, Donata has worked in counsellor advocate, capacity building and management roles in the multicultural sector. She has worked with international student services and with the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT).

Donata is currently Director of the Mater Refugee and Multicultural Health Service, Chair of the Refugee Health Partnership Advisory Group Queensland and Deputy Chair of the Refugee Health Network of Australia.

Award categories

  • Outstanding Contribution by a New Queenslander (individual only)
  • Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever (individual)
  • Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever (organisation)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Champion (individual)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Champion (organisation)
  • Lifetime Achiever (individual)
  • Minister’s Multicultural Award

*Queensland Multicultural Sector refers to organisations and individuals whose core business is to support people from diverse backgrounds including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, international students and Australian South Sea Islander Queenslanders.

One winner is selected from each category and recognised at the Multicultural Queensland Awards ceremony held during Multicultural Queensland Month in August.

Assessment process

Nominations are reviewed and assessed by an independent judging panel of three judges external to the department and one judge from the department as the chairperson.

The judges will assess only on the information provided in the nomination, using the responses to the questions and criteria for each category.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs will choose an outstanding nominee from all nominees to receive the Minister’s Multicultural Award.

If you have any questions regarding the Multicultural Queensland Awards contact MQM@cyjma.qld.gov.au.

Frequently asked questions

Can I nominate myself?

Yes, self-nominations are accepted.

Can I nominate a person or group in more than one nomination category?

No, you cannot nominate the same person/organisation under multiple categories. Each nomination should only be submitted under ONE category.

You can submit more than one nomination from you or an organization, as long as they are for different people/organisations.

Can a business operating in Queensland, but registered in another state, be nominated for an award?

Yes, if the business operations are in Queensland.

Can previous winners or finalists be nominated again?

Yes, however, they must be nominated for a completely different project or activity.

When will award winners be announced?

The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in August during Multicultural Queensland Month. The winners will be promoted via Queensland Government websites and social media channels and may be selected to be interviewed by media organisations.

Unsuccessful nominees will be advised of the outcome and feedback on their nomination can be provided upon request. The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services also welcomes any feedback on the nomination process at any time by emailing MQM@maq.qld.gov.au.

Can I submit a nomination in my own language?

The department will accept nominations in your language. If you are planning to submit your nomination in your language, I encourage you to email us at MQM@maq.qld.gov.au for further information at least one week prior to the awards nominations closing date.

Interpreting services

Interpreting services are available for people who have difficulty communicating in English. If you have difficulty understanding this guide or would feel more comfortable discussing this document in your own language, please telephone 1800 512 451 and ask for an interpreter.