March 10 – A member of Sydney’s Jewish community who has served the community for more than 40 years promoting multicultural and interfaith dialogue has received top honours at the 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
NSW Premier Mike Baird presented the Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award to Jeremy Jones AM at tonight’s event at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
“Mr Jones has demonstrated a commitment to building bridges between various communities and religious groups in our multicultural society,” Mr Baird said.
“He was the recipient of an Australian Human Rights Medal for his work against racism in 2007 and is a deserving recipient of tonight’s top honours.
“I would also like to congratulate all of the recipients of tonight’s Multicultural Community Medals for their work to keep our society peaceful and harmonious.”
Mr Jones AM was a founder of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations, and serves on the NSW Police Commissioner’s Multicultural Advisory Council.
Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka said the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, now in its fifth year, was a fitting celebration of the state’s cultural diversity.
“We are committed to ensuring NSW is a place where everyone from everywhere can feel at home,” Mr Ajaka said.
“Tonight’s Multicultural Community Medals recognise the exceptional, invaluable and often unseen work done by members of our community.
“I congratulate all of tonight’s winners. They are true champions of multiculturalism and have made our state all the better and richer for their efforts.”
Recipients of the 2016 Multicultural Community Medals
Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award
Medal – Mr Jeremy Jones AM
Commendation – Together for Humanity Youth
Medal – Mr Ram Khanal for supporting Bhutanese refugees who settle in Albury Wodonga
Commendation – Ms Mawa Sannoh for helping young West Africans resettle in Sydney
Lifetime Achievement
Mr Om Dhungel for helping empower Bhutanese refugees
Arts and Culture , Ms Saba Vasefi for promoting social justice through poetry and film festivals
Regional Communities, Ms Joan Saboisky for supporting refugees and interfaith projects in Wagga Wagga
Economic Participation, Ms Anne Bi for establishing the B1 Group and attracting foreign investment
Multicultural Honour Roll
Ms Eva Grace Byrne OAM, 1923-2006, for exceptional service in helping refugees to resettle in Australia
Dr William Chiu, 1947-2015, for strengthening economic and cultural exchanges between Australia and China
Mr Alfred Fenech OAM, 1934-2014, for outstanding contributions to uniting diverse communities
Mr Saing Heang Seng, 1944-2001, for exceptional service to the Khmer community in Australia