The City of Greater Bendigo is holding a special Graduation Ceremony to thank the 2023/2024 Intercultural Ambassadors.
The Intercultural Ambassador Program is a voluntary leadership opportunity for multicultural and First Nations community members from across Greater Bendigo to share their culture, connect with others, and enhance understanding and cultural diversity.
The graduating ambassadors include Nishadi Weeratunga, Marlissa Theresia, Laila Hashimi, Yadwinder Singh, Miriam Casas, Shilin Joseph, Eunmi (Rachel) Cho, Maha Htoo Sein, Enos Mahachi, Dr Thaera O'Brien and Dassanyake Sampath (Sam) Wickramasinghe.
The ambassadors, who will attend in their national costumes, will be thanked by the Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf. The event will include a special video featuring the ambassadors and their experiences living in Greater Bendigo, there will also be a special live theatrical performance about the life journey and obstacles overcome by two of the ambassadors and a panel discussion and question and answer session with all of the ambassadors.
City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Manager, Andie West said the Intercultural Ambassador program is a fantastic initiative that is helping to build relationships and connections between all members of the community.
"The Greater Bendigo Intercultural Ambassadors initiative is part of the City's commitment to our community vision - celebrating diversity and being welcoming to all.
"The program aims to build the capacity and confidence of ambassadors and provide opportunities for growth, learning and leadership as well as advanced social cohesion more broadly."
The ambassadors host and support events, including citizenship ceremonies, festivals and launche as a way to build their capacity in the program.
The City's Intercultural Ambassadors for 2024/2026 will be inducted at Zinda Festival at Bendigo Botanic Gardens Garden for the Future on October 12, 2024.
