- The winners of this year's Multicultural Queensland Awards announced
- Ms Sara Shams took out the Minister's Multicultural Award for her advocacy work on behalf of culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability
- New Multicultural Action Plan 2024–25 to 2026–27 also launched
A passionate advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability is one of the seven winners of this year's Multicultural Queensland Awards.
The awards ceremony took place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, honouring the commitment of community leaders, groups, businesses and volunteers dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive multicultural Queensland.
The event celebrated outstanding contributions in health, community service and employment.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen congratulated Sara Shams, who received the Minister's Multicultural Award for her dedicated advocacy work.
Born in Bangladesh, Ms Shams had both legs amputated above the knee at the age of six.
As a disability advocate, speaker, model, health care professional and Carers Queensland board member, she has become a role model and a voice for culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability.
Other winners are:
- Ms Lei Hua (founder of the non-profit Australian National Chinese Women's Federation) – winner of the Outstanding Contribution by a New Queenslander award for helping women and families in crisis, especially due to domestic and family violence or loneliness.
- Aitkenvale State School – winner of the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award (organisation) for their work promoting inclusion, participation and diversity in Townsville.
- Mrs Rachael Carter – winner of the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award (individual) for her work with culturally and linguistically diverse women in Toowoomba, encouraging and facilitating their participation in the community.
- Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland – Women's Ethnic Network – winner of the Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever award (organisation). Established in 1978, the network integrates the issues and concerns of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds into government policies, projects and initiatives.
- Dr Zakaria Amin – winner of the Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever award (individual) for his work helping 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.
- Ms Donata Sackey – winner of the Lifetime Achiever award for her dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of newly-arrived refugees and people seeking asylum.
Highly commended awards were also presented to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Mr Habib Jamal, the Mackay Neighbourhood Hub, and Ms Farzina William.
Minister Mullen also launched the fourth multicultural action plan, outlining how people of all cultural backgrounds will be supported to participate in our community and economy.
Under the policy Our story, our future, the Multicultural Action Plan 2024–25 to 2026–27 improves policies, programs and service delivery for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen:
"Multiculturalism is one of Queensland's greatest strengths, and last night's ceremony was the perfect way to celebrate it.
"I congratulate all recipients and nominees in this year's awards and commend them on their leadership and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion.
"This year's nominees have done outstanding work in a range of areas, including healthcare, community services, employment support and the arts.
"When we embrace diversity in our communities, we build belonging for all.
"The idea of embracing diversity, intersectionality and building belonging is what drew me to award this year's Minister's Multicultural Award to Ms Sara Shams.
"Sara is an outstanding role model and a voice for culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability.
"And I couldn't think of a better event to launch the Our story, our future, the Multicultural Action Plan 2024–25 to 2026–27.
"All of us have an active role in ensuring Queensland is a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone."
