The Victorian Government, through Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria, has recognised the significant contribution of individuals and organisations at the 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence.
Hosted at Government House by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, the awards celebrate the achievements of recipients across 13 categories. These include Prevention of Family Violence, Mental Health, Arts, Business and Employment, and Media.
The Media Award was presented to Neary Ty, an award-winning 9News Melbourne journalist and daughter of Cambodian refugees. Community radio station 3ZZZ was also acknowledged for its work amplifying the voices of multicultural communities for 37 years.
Malavika Kadwadkar, a senior community engagement and gender equality leader, received the individual Prevention of Family Violence Award, after spending two decades working at the intersection of women’s health, multicultural engagement and family violence prevention.
Tigist Kebede, an Ethiopian-Australian trauma counsellor, took home the individual Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, while artist and composer Lamine Sonko was awarded the individual Arts and Culture accolade for engaging Victorians with traditional African knowledge systems.
South East Community Links won the organisation Business and Employment Award for supporting more than 24,000 multicultural community members annually through financial wellbeing, settlement, housing and family violence support services.
The Water Well Project was awarded the organisation Refugee Leadership Award for improving the health of refugees and asylum seekers. Through free, culturally sensitive sessions led by volunteer professionals and interpreters, the project empowers newly-arrived communities with information to navigate the healthcare system. The project has delivered over 2,200 information sessions since 2011.
A further 23 Victorians were inducted into the Multicultural Honour Roll, highlighting diverse and extraordinary contributions across the state. For the full list of award winners and highly commended recipients, visit https://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/victorian-multicultural-awards-for-excellence
Quote attributable to The Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Premier of Victoria
“Multicultural communities are at the heart of Victoria’s success. I congratulate all award recipients, Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll inductees and nominees. Thank you for everything you do to strengthen our state.”
Quote attributable to The Hon. Paul Edbrooke MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
“The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are celebrating their 25th year, and this year’s nominees and recipients are not only champions of their community, but leaders that define Victoria’s multicultural story.”
Quote attributable to Interim Multicultural Coordinator General, Louise Perry
“The winners, inductees and nominees of the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence affirm our collective commitment to the tremendous diversity that has long defined Victoria and enriched our state.”