Canberra’s strength lies in its diversity, and this week the community came together to celebrate the 2025 ACT Multicultural Award winners at the Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra.
The awards recognise people and organisations who make our city more inclusive, connected, and vibrant. From cricket fields to classrooms, health programs to cultural celebrations, this year’s recipients show the many ways multiculturalism enriches daily life in the ACT.
Bringing Community Together Through Sport
Winner of the ACT Multicultural Individual Champion Award, Sanjay Sharma, has spent years using cricket to connect communities. Through the Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association and Yerrabi District Cricket Club, he has created opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to come together and play.
His work has included supporting Afghan girls recently resettled in Canberra to learn cricket in a safe and respectful environment. Reflecting on the impact, Sanjay said:
“All of these experiences have strengthened my belief that multiculturalism is about breaking barriers, creating belonging, and opening opportunities for the next generation.”
Building Inclusive Schools
The ACT Education Directorate’s Safe@School Taskforce received the Community Organisation Champion Award for its work developing guidelines to support Sikh students and families. The guidelines, launched in May, ensure Sikh students can wear articles of faith, including the Kirpan, safely and respectfully in ACT schools.
Ms. Jessie Atkins from the Directorate said:
“We worked closely with the Sikh community to understand what it meant for their children to be baptised Sikh and how we could build acceptance, inclusion and empathy within the school community.”
Empowering Women and Girls
The Outstanding Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion was awarded to Dr. Nilofar Ebrahimi for her work with Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT and through her ZamZam Foundation. She delivers culturally sensitive health education to Afghan women in Canberra and supports programs like driving lessons and swimming classes.
“Our goal is simple but powerful: to empower women and girls, to strengthen communities, and to support our people to settle and feel a sense of belonging in Australia,” Dr. Ebrahimi said.
Celebrating Culture
Canberra Dragon Dance received the Multicultural Arts, Media or Culture Award. Performing traditional Lion and Dragon Dance with percussion, the group brings joy and cultural celebration to festivals, schools, and even nursing homes.
Founder Dr. Wilson Lo said the group’s growth from just a handful of shows in 2017 to nearly 70 performances a year shows how much Canberrans embrace diversity.
“I love the way that Canberrans really embrace customs from other parts of the world. That’s the way you fight xenophobia, by accepting diversity as a whole,” Dr. Lo said.
A Shared Commitment
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Michael Pettersson MLA, congratulated all winners and finalists, saying:
“They truly embody the positive outcomes we see when multiculturalism is valued, respected and celebrated.”
The ACT Multicultural Awards are a reminder that the city’s strength lies not just in its diversity, but in the people who work every day to make inclusion a reality for all. Learn more about the awards and recipients here.
