Western Australian Multicultural Association Inc
Inspirational West Australians have been recognised for their outstanding contribution towards multiculturalism as part of the 2016 WA Multicultural Recognition Awards.
The awards, which recognised 27 individuals, organisations and community groups, considered achievements over eight categories including individual contribution, lifetime service, volunteering, local government, private sector, marketing, and arts and culture.
At the launch of Harmony Week 2016, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said the breadth and depth of the individuals and organisations recognised reflected the State’s diverse and dynamic community.
“These awards are a clear statement of the importance of recognising what is done, often behind the scenes, to ensure WA’s cultural diversity continues to flourish,” Mr Nahan said.
“Those being recognised represent cultures from around the world and bring a rich diversity and experience to benefit all Western Australians.
“From individuals working at a grassroots level to organisations incorporating the principles of multiculturalism in their day-to-day business, it is clear there is a thriving commitment across the community to build on our rich and proud multicultural traditions.
“It is fitting we are recognising this work at the beginning of Harmony Week, which is a time when we reflect on the importance of cross-cultural understanding. Harmony Week
is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits that culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities bring to WA.”
2016 Multicultural Award Recipient
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO MULTICULTURALISM AWARD
Maria Bunn, from Hillarys, has been committed to working with the CaLD sector for more than 30 years. With a focus on aged care, Maria has been instrumental in developing partnerships between aged care providers and CaLD communities, establishing 18 clusters in residential care facilities to support older people from CaLD backgrounds.
Maria wrote the Multicultural Aged Care Handbook to support care providers, which has now sold more than 800 copies. She has also coordinated the ‘Let me speak’ project initiative of the Ethnic Disabilities Advocacy Centre and Headwest to support CaLD people with disability and acquired brain injury.
