Winners of the 2025 ACT Multicultural Awards have been announced.

The Multicultural Awards recognise organisations and individuals who have made a significant impact in promoting cultural diversity and social inclusion across the ACT.

From cricket to traditional Chinese Lion Dance, four award winners were announced for their contributions.

ACT Multicultural Individual Champion Award

Winner Sanjay Sharma was recognised for his work fostering multicultural inclusion and uniting the community through cricket.

Sanjay is a founder of the Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association (IAMSA), Yerrabi District Cricket Club and organiser of several annual community events.

He has created inclusive platforms for men and women that bring together people from diverse backgrounds.

“All of these experiences have strengthened my belief that multiculturalism is about breaking barriers, creating belonging, and opening opportunities for the next generation,” he said.

ACT Multicultural Community Organisation Champion Award

The ACT Education Directorate’s Safe@School Taskforce was recognised for its work developing culturally and religiously appropriate guidelines to support Sikh students and their families.

In collaboration with the ACT Sikh community, the Education Directorate created the Wearing Items of Religious Significance (Sikhism) in ACT Public Schools Guidelines. 

These guidelines ensure that Sikh students can practice their faith safely and respectfully while fully participating in school life.

Jessie Atkins from the ACT Education Directorate said multiculturalism was important because everybody deserves to be seen for who they are and included, regardless of their background.

ACT Outstanding Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion Award

Dr Nilofar Ebrahimi was recognised for her work as a Community Educator and Health Promotion Officer at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT).

Nilofar delivers culturally sensitive education sessions on topics such as menopause, contraception, consent, and cervical screening to the Afghan community in Canberra.

She is a former Member of Parliament in Afghanistan and the founder of the ZamZam Foundation.

Originally established in Afghanistan to support widows and orphans, ZamZam now operates in the ACT. It delivers programs that empower Afghan women locally, including Learn to Drive and Learn to Swim initiatives.

“Our goal is simple but powerful: to empower women and girls, to strengthen communities, and to support our people to settle and feel a sense of belonging in Australia,” she said.

ACT Multicultural Arts, Media or Culture Award

Canberra Dragon Dance were recognised for actively promoting multiculturalism through its diverse membership, youth development initiatives, and cultural preservation.

The dynamic and inclusive cultural arts group performs traditional Chinese Lion Dance, Dragon Dance and percussion.

Their work has celebrated multiculturalism at major local events, schools, shopping centres and nursing homes.

Founder Dr Wilson Lo said he loved the way that Canberrans embrace customs from other parts of the world.

“We've been embraced, and not just in festivals that are technically multicultural, but in mainstream parts of Australian society,” he said.

More information is available at the ACT Office of Multicultural Affairs website.