Community leaders driving inclusion, unity and cultural connection were celebrated at the 2026 Premier’s Harmony Dinner, one of New South Wales’ most significant multicultural events. Hosted by Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, the evening brought together more than 1,600 guests in a powerful showcase of diversity and community spirit.
The event highlighted the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations across the state, with the announcement of the 2026 Multicultural Community Medals and new inductees into the NSW Multicultural Honour Roll. The celebration reflected the strength of multicultural communities and their role in shaping a more inclusive society.
A deeply moving moment of the evening paid tribute to the 15 lives lost in the Bondi tragedy. Ahmed Al Ahmed was recognised on stage and honoured with a Community Hero Award for his courage and selfless actions, symbolising the resilience and unity of the community.
In total, 13 individuals and organisations were recognised through the Multicultural Community Medals, reflecting contributions across sectors including community service, media, health, education and cultural advocacy.
2026 Multicultural Community Medal Winners
| Medal | Winner | Biography |
| Community Harmony Medal, sponsored by Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Reverend Bill Crews AM | Bill provides 200,000 free meals a year across Sydney as well as medical supplies through his foundation. He is a passionate supporter of multiculturalism, believing that every human life is of equal value. |
| Lifetime Community Service Medal, sponsored by SBS | Ken Habak OAM | Ken has served the Illawarra community in a voluntary capacity for 55 years, including through an Arabic Language School, the Australian Lebanese Association, St Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, South Coast Lebanese Association, and as Chairman of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra for 25 years. |
| Regional Unity Medal, sponsored by My Guardian Group | Gargi Ganguly | Gargi is the Chairperson of Orana Residents of Indian Subcontinental Nations (ORISCON). Through flagship events like the Cross-Cultural Carnivale, she has helped position Dubbo as a vibrant multicultural hub, drawing thousands of visitors each year. |
| Arts and Culture Medal, sponsored by Powerhouse | Leo Tanoi | Leo is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating Pasifika culture. A curator, arts programmer, DJ, radio broadcaster, performer, cultural worker and community leader, he brings his heritage to life across every platform he works with. |
| Community Languages Teacher Medal, sponsored by NSW Department of Education | Monica Njoroge-Eaton | Monica founded the Newcastle Kiswahili School in 2017, to meet the growing need for learning the Kiswahili language in her local area. Today, it is the only Kiswahili community language school in NSW. |
| Interpreters and Translators Medal, sponsored by NAATI | Marta Barany BEM OAM | Shortly after migrating to Australia in 1951, Marta found herself supporting refugees from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. She is still working as an interpreter after a long and distinguished career, which included serving as an Ethnic Affairs Commissioner. |
| Multicultural Health Medal, sponsored by the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service on behalf of NSW Health | CASS Care Ltd | CASS Care delivers a wide range of social and welfare services to culturally diverse communities. Founded in 1981, the organisation now has more than 850 staff and over 450 active volunteers, supporting 8,500 families every week. |
| Multicultural Not for Profit Medal, sponsored by NSW Department of Communities and Justice | Chinese Australian Forum | Since 1985, the Chinese Australian Forum has been dedicated to giving the Chinese community a voice in Australia’s democratic process. Over time, their mission has expanded to address broader issues of multiculturalism, civic participation, social cohesion, and representation in Australian society. |
| Multicultural Youth Support Medal, sponsored by STARTTS | Adina Dawod | Adina is a Senior Youth Worker for Youth Off The Streets, working in South-West Sydney. She has played a key role in supporting students from diverse and refugee backgrounds with school, settlement, and their identity. |
| Sports Medal, sponsored by Sydney Thunder | NRL – In Leaguein Harmony | The In League In Harmony program has become a powerful force for cultural understanding, using the universal language of sport to unite young people from diverse backgrounds. It creates a safe, welcoming space for fostering dialogue, teamwork and connection. |
| Best Report in Multicultural Media, sponsored by SSI | Khushee Gupta | For her podcast Don’t Talk Back, Khushee Gupta, alongside co-host Ranesh Krishnan, has created a space for younger and second-generation South Asians to have a voice and talk about taboo issues in their community. Developed in 2024, their latest series has attracted 37,000 YouTube views. |
| Multicultural Publication of the Year, sponsored by Anti-Discrimination NSW | Indian Link | In 1994, Pawan and Rajni Luthra founded a free monthly magazine serving the South Asian diaspora. Now more than 30 years later, Indian Link targets the 700,000-strong Indian diaspora with a print and digital newspaper, website, social media, podcasts and an online radio station, providing entertainment, news and talk-back in both Hindi and English. |
| Multicultural Marketing Campaign of the Year, sponsored by Village Plaza | CulturalPulse | CulturalPulse executed a campaign to help Pacific Islanders use the most cost-effective ways to send money to their families overseas. In four years, the campaign reached more than 53 million people and 16 million video views. |
Five individuals were also honoured posthumously through the Multicultural Honour Roll, acknowledging their lasting legacy in building a more inclusive and harmonious New South Wales.
2026 Multicultural Honour Roll inductees
| Inductee | Biography |
| Father Chris Riley AM | Father Riley was a tireless advocate for disadvantaged young people across Australia, dedicating his life to supporting vulnerable youth, regardless of their background, culture or circumstances. In 1991, he founded Youth Off The Streets with nothing more than a single van. Today, that vision has grown into a nationally recognised organisation with 220 staff delivering more than 30 programs to those in need. |
| Mr Ali Karnib | Mr Karnib dedicated nearly three decades to serving the people of Liverpool, becoming the city’s longest-serving councillor and a defining voice for his community. As President of the Lebanese Community Council of NSW, he championed multiculturalism, interfaith harmony and stronger connections across diverse communities. |
| Ms Vivi Germanos-Koutsounadis OAM | Ms Vivi Germanos-Koutsounadis was a founder of the Ethnic Childcare, Family and Community Services Cooperative, now known as Ethnic Community Services. She played a key role in establishing the Ethnic Child Development Unit. In 2000, she became the first woman to serve as President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW. Her decades of advocacy and community leadership were recognised with both the Human Rights Medal and Order of Australia. |
| Mr George Bartolo OAM | Mr Bartolo was a founding member of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra in 1975, promoting services in multicultural aged care in the region. His volunteer work began more than 60 years ago, translating and advocating for the Maltese community. |
| Mr Syed Atiq ul Hassan | Mr Hassan spent 35 years as a distinguished advocate for cultural diversity, multiculturalism, interfaith harmony and mutual respect. He launched Tribune International to strengthen multicultural media presence and used journalism, public events and community engagement to bring people together and amplify their voices. |
Minister Steve Kamper highlighted that the awards celebrate individuals and organisations who make an extraordinary difference in communities every day, while also reinforcing the importance of connection, culture and shared values.
Multicultural NSW Acting CEO James Jegasothy described the evening as a celebration of people who embody cultural pride and inclusion, noting that each attendee represents the spirit of a diverse and united state.
As the evening concluded, the Premier’s Harmony Dinner once again reinforced its significance – not just as an awards ceremony, but as a reflection of the people and communities who continue to strengthen the social fabric of New South Wales.
