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(left to right) Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, Paul Lynch, Minister for Industrial Relations, Ms Annabelle Vo accepted the award on behalf of her father Minh Tri vo (Trade and Industry Award), Vi Phat (Arts and Culture Award), Tri Vo (Community Service Award), Than Van Nguyen (Community Service Award), Dr Sang Giang Phan (Lifetime Achievement Award) and The Premier Kristina Keneally.
PREMIER PAYS TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIAN VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY
Premier Kristina Keneally tonight paid tribute to the contribution of the Vietnamese community to NSW as she congratulated winners at the Premier’s Vietnamese Community Awards.
“There are more than 65,000 people of Vietnamese descent in NSW and the Vietnamese community has played an important role in the development of our State,” Ms Keneally said.
“Members of the Vietnamese community are involved in almost all walks of life in NSW and are a valued and vibrant part of our culturally diverse community.”
The 2011 award winners are:
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“I congratulate our five winners who have distinguished themselves with outstanding service to the Vietnamese community,” Ms Keneally said.
”I’d particularly like to pay tribute to Dr Sang Giang Phan, who has dedicated a lifetime of service to caring for the health of the Vietnamese and the wider community.
“Dr Phan has offered voluntary service to the Vietnam Vision programme, helping to cure people with poor eyesight in rural areas of Vietnam.
“I thank Dr Phan for his longstanding commitment to helping others - he has set a truly great example for future generations.”
“On behalf of the NSW Government I congratulate and acknowledge the tireless service of our winners to the people of the Vietnamese community.”
Click here to read about the winners.
(left to right) Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, Manny B Castillo (Arts and Culture Award), Marivic Manolo - Philippine Community Council of NSW Inc (Community Harmony Award), The Premier Kristina Keneally, Lolita Farmer (Lifetime Achievement Award), Elsa Collado - Philippine Community Council of NSW Inc (Community Harmony Award), Julie Nunez (Community Service Award), Arturo Sta. Barbara (Trade and Industry Award).
PREMIER PAYS TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIAN FILIPINO COMMUNITY
Premier Kristina Keneally paid tribute to the contribution of the Filipino community in NSW at the inaugural Premier’s Filipino Community Awards.
“NSW is blessed to be home to more than 75,000 people of Filipino heritage,” Ms Keneally said.
“The Filipino community has played a proud and significant role in the development of NSW society, business and culture.
“As Premier, I am proud to have created these awards to pay tribute to the Filipino community.”
The 2011 award winners are:
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“I congratulate our five winners who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Filipino and wider NSWS community,” Ms Keneally said.
”I’d particularly like to pay tribute to Lolita Farmer, who after coming to Australia, became the first practicing Filipino woman lawyer in NSW.
“Lolita was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal in 1981 and I am delighted to present the lifetime achievement award to her this evening.
“I thank Ms Farmer for her outstanding commitment which has culminated in her recent appointment as Chair of the Worldwide Filipino Alliance.”
“On behalf of the NSW Government I congratulate and acknowledge the tireless service of our winners to the people of the Filipino community.”
Click here to read about the winners.
(left to right) Faten El Dana (Community Service Award), Father Antoine Tarabay (Lifetime Achievement Award), The Premier Kristina Keneally, Sheikh Malek Zeidan (Community Harmony Award), Majida Abboud-Saab (Arts and Culture Award) and Michael Rizk (Trade and Industry Award).
PREMIER PAYS TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIAN LEBANESE COMMUNITY
Premier Kristina Keneally tonight paid tribute to the contribution of the Lebanese community in NSW as she congratulated award recipients at the inaugural Premier’s Lebanese Community Awards.
“NSW is blessed to be home to more than 130,000 people of Lebanese descent,” Ms Keneally said.
“Members of the Lebanese community play a pivotal role in NSW society and their strong work ethic has set a shining example for our State.
“The Lebanese community is one of the true backbones of our society today.”
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The 2011 award winners are:
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“I am delighted to congratulate our five winners who have distinguished themselves with outstanding service to the Lebanese and wider NSW community,” Ms Keneally said.
”I’d particularly like to pay tribute to Rev Fr Antoine Tarabay, who has worked well beyond his parish duties to inspire others with projects at St Charbel’s Church in Punchbowl.
“Father Antoine’s work at St Charbel’s promotes the importance of justice, peace, love, compassion, acceptance, generosity and service each and every day and I thank him for his tireless service.
“On behalf of the NSW Government I congratulate and acknowledge the ongoing work and dedication of our winners to the Lebanese community.” Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Granville, David Borger said the Premier’s Lebanese Community Awards were an opportunity to celebrate all that the Lebanese community had brought to NSW.
“The Lebanese community have brought a rich and vibrant culture and a strong tradition of charity and helping those most vulnerable to NSW,” Mr Borger said.
“I congratulate the winners of tonight’s inaugural awards.”
Member for Auburn, Barbara Perry said: “These awards are an important way for the NSW Government to pay tribute to the Lebanese community.”
“This recognition will continue to raise the profile of all the outstanding work people of Lebanese background perform in our State every day.”
Click here to read about the winners.
(left to right) Mohit Tolani (Community Service Award), Pawan Luthra (Community Harmony Award), Dr Siddalingeshwara Orekondy ( Joint Winner Lifetime Achievement Award), the Premier Kristina Keneally, Dr Gurchan Singh Sidhu (Joint Winner Lifetime Achievement Award), Kumud Merani (Arts and Culture Award),Chandru Tolani (Trade and Industry Award) and Amit Dasgupta (Consul General of India)
PREMIER PAYS TRIBUTE TO INDIAN SUBCONTINENT COMMUNITY
Premier Kristina Keneally today paid tribute to the contribution of the Indian Subcontinent community in NSW at the inaugural Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards.
The Keneally Government created the awards to recognise volunteer work and philanthropy in the Indian Subcontinent community.
“NSW is blessed to be home to more than 100,000 people of Indian Subcontinent heritage and the community is an integral part of what NSW is today,” Ms Keneally said.
“The Indian Subcontinent community includes people from a wide range of professions, from education, trades and business to the arts and public service.
“The Indian Subcontinent community is truly one of the backbones of our society.”
The 2011 award winners are:
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“I congratulate our six winners who have distinguished themselves with outstanding service to the Indian Subcontinent community,” Ms Keneally said.
“I’d particularly like to pay tribute to our Lifetime Achievement winners, Dr Orekondy and Dr Sidhu, who have devoted more than 37 and 45 years of service respectively to the community in various fields.
“The challenges of balancing work life with family, as well as trying to find time for recreation, makes the contributions all of our winners even more significant.
“On behalf of the NSW Government I congratulate and acknowledge your tireless service to the people of the Indian Subcontinent community.”
Co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of India, Member for Macquarie Fields, Dr Andrew McDonald said: “The Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards are an important way to recognise and pay tribute to the enormous role the Indian Subcontinent community plays in our State.”
“I congratulate the winners of the inaugural Indian Subcontinent Awards for their dedicated service to the people of NSW.”
Click here to read about the winners.
(left to right) Mr Laurie Glanfield, Director General of the Attorney General’s Department with Stepan Kerkyasharian, CRC Chair and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos
PARRAMATTA OPENINGThe Community Relations Commission, Language Services Division, is proud to announce the opening of its Parramatta Office within the Parramatta Justice Precinct. The Office will provide interpreting and translation services to the public and legal profession. The Office is located at Level 1, Sydney West Trial Courts, 6 George Street, Parramatta. Operating hours 8:30am to 4:30pm (Monday to Friday) For all further enquiries: 1300 651 500 24 hours a day, 7 days per week Click here to view photos of the opening. 
Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos opening the Office |
(left to right) Dr Leng Tan, Daphne Lowe Kelley, The Premier, Kristina Keneally, Clarie Lee, William Ho Yin Chan and Alex Ma
Premier Pays Tribute To Australian Chinese Community – Chinese Community Service Awards
Premier Kristina Keneally paid tribute to the philanthropy of the Chinese community in NSW as she congratulated winners at the seventh annual Chinese community awards.
“NSW is blessed to have more than 300 000 people of Chinese descent and they are an integral part of what NSW is today,” Ms Keneally said.
“From doctors to pharmacists, teachers to small business owners, the Chinese community are prevalent in a wide variety of professions and are well known for their strong work ethic.
“The Chinese community are one of the backbones of our society today.”
The 2011 award winners are:
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At the ceremony, Mr Alex Ma of 1A Communications was presented with the Community Relations Commission’s Silver Medal of Appreciation for his work in staging the Premier’s Chinese Community Service Awards since their inauguration in 2005.
Click here to read about the winners.
Premier Kristina Keneally opening the Filipino Community awards.
Nominations now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Filipino Community Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Filipino Community Awards. The Awards recognise the long-standing presence and contribution of the Filipino in NSW.
Click here for further information.
Premier Kristina Keneally opening the Vietnamese Community awards.
Nominations now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Vietnamese Community Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Vietnamese Community Awards. The Awards recognise the long-standing presence and contribution of the Vietnamese in NSW.
Click here for further information.
Premier Kristina Keneally opening the Lebanese Community awards.
Nominations now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Lebanese Community Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Lebanese Community Awards. The Awards recognise the long-standing presence and contribution of the Lebanese in NSW.
Click here for further information.
Premier Kristina Keneally opening the awards.
Nominations open for 2011 NSW Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2011 NSW Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards. The Awards recognise the long-standing presence and contribution of Indian Subcontinent Community in NSW.
Click here for more information and to nominate a member from your community.
The Premier Kristina Kenneally and the Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, with journalists from ethnic newspapers at the announcement of additional commissioners for the CRC.
Four New Commissioners For Community Relations Commission To Reflect Changing NSW Society
Premier Kristina Keneally today announced the NSW Government will appoint four new Commissioners to the Community Relations Commission – to reflect the changing composition of the culturally diverse community of NSW.
This will bring the total number of Community Relations Commissioners to 15 - including a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, 11 Commissioners and two youth Commissioners.
The Community Relations Commission is responsible for providing advice on multicultural issues and supporting people from a variety of different backgrounds.“
The NSW Government rightly believes that differences in our cultural and spiritual backgrounds strengthen and enliven our great State,” Ms Keneally said.
“Appointing a further four Commissioners will allow more culturally diverse communities to have a representative on the Commission and will provide a voice for emerging multicultural groups in our community.”
Click here for more information.
(Left to Right) Director of Regional Services for the Community Relations Commission, Fadel Benhima, Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, Col Murray and Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper.
Keneally Government Helps Migrant Community In Tamworth
Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos and Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper today met with local Mayor, Councillor Col Murray to announce that Tamworth Regional Council will receive $60,000 over the next three years to assist local migrant communities.
Mr Hatzistergos said the funding is part of the Community Development Grants program run by the Community Relations Commission and will enable the employment of a Development Officer to help the settlement of newly arrived migrants to Tamworth.
“The Keneally Government is committed to helping recently arrived migrants, and refugees establish themselves in local areas,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The money provided by the NSW Government will mean there is a dedicated Community Development Officer in the region who will work with residents, community organisations and government departments to meet the needs of emerging communities in Tamworth,” he said.
Mr Draper welcomed news of the funding to Tamworth Regional Council.
(left to right, top to bottom) Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, The Premier of NSW, Kristina Keneally, Minister for Volunteering, Peter Primrose, Mr John Gebhardt, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Ms Peggy Huang, Volunteer of the Year, Ms Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy, Young Volunteer of the Year, Mr Robin Margo SC, Winner of the Community Service Award.
Top Volunteers Honoured In NSW Parliament
The Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, and the Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, attended the official awards ceremony at the New South Wales Parliament House on Thursday 2nd of December to announce the winners of the 2010 Community Relations Commission Awards for Volunteering.
The Premier congratulated all of those who were nominated for their selfless and tireless contributions who make a positive difference to our society.
Click here to see the Winners.
The Premier Kristina Keneally, the Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian, the president of UBI World TV Regina Boulos with members of the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra DVD team at the 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards presentation.
National Multicultural marketing Awards Announced
The Premier Kristina Keneally announced the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra the Grand Award Winners of the 21st annual National Multicultural Marketing Awards conducted by the Community Relations Commission of NSW, for the DVD series It’s not a Disgrace – Its Dementia.
Click here for more information.
UBI World TV - Grand Sponsor of National Multicultural Marketing Awards
Premier Kristina Keneally today announced UBI World TV – Australia’s major multilingual television and radio provider – as the new grand sponsor of the Community Relations Commissions National Multicultural Marketing Awards.
At the announcement (left to right) Premier Kristina Keneally, President of UBI World TV, Regina Boulos, Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos and Community Relations Commission Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, presents Benjamin Gibson with his CRC medal for the Dorothea MacKellar Poetry Award 2010.
Commission Chair congratulates winner of CRC’s Poetry Award for 2010
Benjamin Gibson of Redeemer Baptist School in Parramatta has been presented with his prize for the CRC’s annual poetry award for 2010, by the Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos.
The ceremony took place at the New South Wales Parliament.
Benjamin’s poem ,The Great Nation, was selected as part of the annual nation-wide Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Award for 2010.
“This young man has a fine grasp of what multiculturalism in Australia means. This poem is precisely what our award seeks to encourage in young Australian writers.
“I congratulate Benjamin and wish him every success in the future”, Mr Kerkyasharian said.
After meeting the young poet, Minister Hatzistergos said: "Benjamin displays a level of understanding about his surroundings well beyond his years. He will achieve great things if he continues to write poems of this quality.”
"I wish him warm congratulations and bid him well for the remainder of his school years."
2010 IFTAR Dinner
The NSW Government's IFTAR Dinner for 2010 hosted by Premier Kristina Keneally was held at Parliament House on the 23rd of August 2010.
The Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, at the launch of the 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards with Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chair Community Relations Commission of NSW
Marketing Cultural Diversity Is Good For Business
NSW Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, today officially opened nominations for the National Multicultural Marketing Awards 2010.
The Community Relations Commission of NSW National Multicultural Marketing Awards competition is marking 21 years of unearthing winners from across multinational business, government and community sectors. “These Awards aim to encourage and reward businesses that focus on the cultural diversity of Australia as part of their marketing strategies,” Mr Hatzistergos said at the launch of the annual awards competition at the Westin Hotel in Sydney.
“They serve as an important reminder and incentive to businesses to promote an equitable representation of our diversity as a nation through appropriate marketing campaigns.”
The Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said successful businesses and Government Agencies realise the potential of innovative multicultural marketing techniques in mass media.
The Premier, Kristina Keneally, Minister Hatzistergos, Chairman of the CRC, Stepan Kerkyasharian and representatives of the Chinese Communities of NSW
Premier Keneally consults the Chinese Community
The Premier, Kristina Keneally, has had her first consultation with the Chinese community of New South Wales.
Nearly fifty representatives of a broad range of Chinese community organisations met Ms Keneally at the Premier’s Office in Sydney on March 26th.
The gathering was facilitated by the Community Relations Commission.
The Premier and the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos, were questioned about subjects as diverse as racism in the police force, the Federal Health Care Plan, the permanent home for the dragon boat fraternity in Sydney, public transport plans for Sydney, education for the Chinese community about ICAC and the treatment of Chinese overseas students studying in New South Wales.
Wajiha Ahmed, Seini Afeaki, the Premier, Kristina Keneally, Patricia Azarias and Samah Hadid
CRC Commissioners attend Premier’s reception for Interfaith Women at Parliament House
Four CRC Commissioners joined around 80 women at a reception in Parliament House for interfaith women, hosted by the Premier, Kristina Keneally. The women who are all engaged in inter-faith activities were drawn from many different religious backgrounds.
The Attorney General and Minister for citizenship, John Hatzistergos, Dr Tony Pun, William Chiu, the Premier, Kristina Keneally, Wee Teck Teo and Mimi Zou
Premier's Chinese Community Service Awards for 2010 Presented at Government House
NSW Chinese community leaders have been recognised for their volunteer work,community service and achievement at the 2010 Premier’s Chinese Community Service Awards.
Premier Kristina Keneally and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, announced the award winners at an official ceremony at NSW Government House.
The 2010 Chinese Community Service Award recipients are:
Young Chinese Volunteer Award – Ms Mimi Zou;
Victor Chang Community Service Award – Mr Wee Teck Teo;
Jack Wong Sue Award for Voluntary Service Beyond the Chinese Community – Dr Anthony Pun OAM; and
Quong Tart Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Service – Mr William Chiu.
(left to right) CRC Commissioner, Diing Bul, Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, SBS African Programme Presenter, Martin Kwakwa and the Premier Kristina Keneally
Ethnic media meet with Premier and Minister for Citizenship
The new Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, has invited representatives from the ethnic media - print, radio and television in New South Wales for a reception at the Premiers Department in Sydney. The new Premier Kristina Keneally addressed the gathering and met many of the media people present.
Commissioners of the CRC with Premier, Kristina Keneally and the Minister for Citizenship John Hatzistergos: (left to right) Seini Afeaki, Michael Christodoulou, Diing Bul, Wajiha Ahmed, Minister Hatzistergos, Premier Keneally, Patricia Azarias (Deputy Chair), Ezel Jupiter, Stepan Kerkyasharian (Chair) and Vivian Pak
Commissioners Meet Premier and New Minister
The Commissioners of the CRC recently met with the Premier, Kristina Keneally, and the new Minister for Citizenship and Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
(left to right) Stepan Kerkyasharian, CRC Chair, Jean Paul Ndayiragije, Young Volunteer High Commendation, Peter Primrose, Minister for Volunteering, Jasmeen Kaur, Young Volunteer of the Year, Perla Lombardi, Volunteer of the Year, Erin Chew, Community Service Award High Commendation, Nola Randall-Mohk, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, John Hatzistergos, Attorney General and Minister for Citizenship and Malaemie Fruean, Winner of Community Service Award
Top Volunteers Honoured In NSW Parliament
In his first official ceremony as Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, today recognised the enormous contribution made by volunteers in NSW by announcing the winners of the 2009 Community Relations Commission Awards for Volunteering.
Winners of the 2009 National Multicultural Marketing Awards, Adrien Monet and Jacques Reynaud of Polyglot with Minister for Citizenship, Virginia Judge and CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Polyglot the 2009 Multicultural Marketing Champion
A Sydney company which has turned Australia's culturally diverse workforce into a major export earner has won this year's National Multicultural Marketing Awards.
The directors of Polyglot Australia were presented with their prestigious award at a gala dinner tonight in Sydney hosted by the NSW Minister for Citizenship, Virginia Judge.
The National Multicultural Marketing Awards have been conducted by the Community Relations Commission of NSW for the last twenty years and have unearthed winners from across multinational business, government and community sectors.
The company's award submission told the judges: "Polyglot's entire business model and strategy is based on promoting, and turning into an asset, the multiculturalism of Australian society. We are what we sell."
Click here to read more about the awards.