Maria Vamvakinou (Calwell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last week, I attended Government House in Victoria for the annual presentation of the 2017 Multicultural Awards for Excellence. I want to congratulate members of my local community who were recognised for their hard work and commitment in creating social cohesion in the federal seat of Calwell. I want to begin with Mr Ajit Singh Chauhan, who received the Award for Meritorious Service to the community for his work with disadvantaged youth from diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly in his role at Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre and with the Hume Interfaith Network youth program. Mr Walid Markas received the Award for Meritorious Service to the Community for his work with Victoria's Chaldean community, especially tackling issues facing women and young people. Ms Martha Metuisela was the winner of the Youth Award for her work with Brimbank City Council as a youth worker. She co-founded Westside Pasifika, a group that fosters intercultural understanding

Mr Adel Salman received the Award for Meritorious Service to the Community for his work on improving Victorians' understanding of Muslim communities as vice-president and media spokesperson for the Islamic Council of Victoria. Mrs Thekla Scarcella of Campbellfield received the Award for Meritorious Service to the Community on behalf of the Greek-Australian Recreational & Instructive League Of Vic. The group partners with the Babylon Cultural Centre to connect newly arrived migrants to the established Greek community and other migrant communities in our electorate. Congratulations to all recipients.

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