Awards reward cultural effort

By Lia Bichel
PROMINENT community leaders and a busy Dandenong association were among a number of people and organisations that snapped up 2009 Multicultural Awards for Excellence last week.
Newly re-elected chairman of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV), Sam Afra, continuing deputy-chair-man Eddie Micallef and the Dandenong Audio Visual Arts Association received awards at Government House last Thursday night.
Mr Afra said the presentation of his award was humbling.
“This award only strengthens my commitment to advance the position of culturally diverse Victorians in areas such as education and employment, and the prevention of ethnic-based marginalisation, exploitation and discrimination,” Mr Afra said.
The 2009 award coincided with the 25th anniversary of Mr Afra’s departure from Lebanon and decision to permanently settle in Australia.
Mr Afra paid tribute to the contribution of fellow ECCV board member and award winner, Mr Micallef.
“Eddie also boasts more than 25 years of active service to the community,” Mr Afra said.
He highlighted Mr Micallef’s work with Asian/Australian community groups in the south-east, his work with the wider Victorian community and his 16 years in the Victorian Parliament.
“As well as his long-term involvement with ECCV, Eddie also served as chairperson of the Springvale Community Health Service and remains a key voice on behalf of the local Maltese community,” Mr Afra said.
Vajira Ekanayake, secretary of the Audio Visual Arts Association also collected an award and said the experience was rewarding.
“Everyone has been working very hard for five years, I can’t value the award in money,” he said.
Mr Ekanayake said members of the association put a lot of time and effort into a number of events, including collecting money for the Red Cross, volunteering at the Springvale Primary School’s breakfast club and organising Christmas carols.
“We do the carols every year,” he said.
“This year we are going to Carrum Downs Nursing Home at 12.30pm on 12 December, the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton at 6.30pm on 14 December and to the Dandenong Hospital at 6.30pm on 16 December.”
Mr Ekanayake also thanked people who had helped the association over the years including the association president Denesh Weerakkody, vice-president Desmond Kelly, treasurer Manda Wimalazeewa, public officer Vernon Dassera and Neil Jayasuryya and his family who have helped with the Christmas carols.
Established in 2002, the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence recognise and reward the contribution of individuals and organisations in categories such as multicultural service delivery, education, local government, and meritorious service in the community.