A young Dandenong leader spoke on behalf of the South-East at a celebration for the region.
The Victorian Governor Linda Dessau hosted the event to highlight the area’s achievements and diversity at Government House on Thursday 17 May.
More than 600 community members from the shires of Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula, and the cities of Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston and Monash attended.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the gathering was to celebrate the South-East’s achievements.
Aishwarya Pokkuluri, 22, was honoured at the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards for her volunteering work with young leaders.
She delivered a speech on behalf of the community, explaining that she moved to Melbourne from India as a five-year-old and now worked as a quality assurance assistant at Cobs Popcorn in Dandenong South.
South-East Melbourne (SEM) chair Simon McKeon said the diverse region was home to more than 1.2 million residents, “many of whom have come here from across the globe to make their home, raise families and create jobs as well as seek and create opportunities”.
“This was a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity and achievements of the south east Melbourne community,” he said.
