The Victorian Government has recognized more than 200 individuals and organizations for their outstanding service to the State’s multicultural community.
Prof Dr David de Kretser & Hilkat Ozgun
Premier John Brumby, who presented the Victorian Awards for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs at Government House on Monday 26 November, said it was important to recognize, celebrate and encourage the many wonderful contributions to multicultural Victoria.
“Victoria is renowned for its generosity, compassion, and willingness to embrace new and emerging communities while ensuring our established communities are not forgotten,” Mr Brumby said.
“These awards recognise that commitment and the dedication of individuals and groups who continue to make a real impact in their local communities.”
The event, hosted by Governor of Victoria Prof Dr David de Kretser, attracted more than 600 members of Victoria’s multicultural community, with awards presented across nine categories.
James Merlino & Hilkat Ozgun
Jill Morgan & Hilkat Ozgun
Sibel Sengul & Hilkat Ozgun
Prof Dr David de Kretser & Hilkat Ozgun
The Multicultural Awards for Excellence was established in 2002 to recognize and reward the contributions of individuals and organisations that promote the social, political, economic and cultural benefits of Victoria’s multicultural community.
Australian Turkish Cultural Platform’s President Hilkat Özgün, awarded for Meritorious Service to the Community for her excellent voluntary contribution to Victoria’s Turkish community.
Also among the Turkish recipients were:
Nazli Suleyman, Sibel Sengul, Hilkat Ozgun & Selma Yalcin
Cr Nazlı Süleyman – Service Delivery to Multicultural Victoria Award
Brimbank has one of the most diverse communities in Victoria and Nazlı Süleyman has worked tirelessly to ensure that the many multicultural issues faced by the various cultures are incorporated meaningfully in every area of Council activities. Furthermore Nazlı enables the whole community to access Council publications through the use of the Council’s Language Link services. She was also responsible for reintroducing the Brimbank Festival, with the aim of showcasing the diversity within Brimbank to the rest of Victoria.
Constable Sibel Şengül – Police and Community Multicultural Advisory Committee Award
Awarded to a Probationary Constable from a culturally and linguistically diverse background who:
. achieved academic excellence in recruit training
. Served as a police recruit during the calender year immediately preceding the award
. Sustained excellence in operational policing as a Probationary Constable
“Constable Sibel Şengül is of Turkish background and an extremely motivated individual who always delivers her best. Sibel has brought a mature and empathetic approach to the Avondale Heights police station, and she continues to demonstrate a desire to improve herself and experience”.
Mrs Selma Yalçın – Meritorious Service to the Community
For her outstanding voluntary contribution to the Turkish Cypriot community in Melbourne’s western suburbs