Richelle Harrison Plesse

Richelle Harrison Plesse joined SBS World News in 2021 as a reporter and presenter after a stint at ABC News Channel. Prior to that, the Franco-Filipino-Australian lived in Paris for 15 years, where she was a news anchor and host of a music show on France 24. She has worn many hats throughout her career, including working as a travel writer and singer. Richelle has hosted awards ceremonies and events for the likes of Cartier, Dior, AXA and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and is thrilled to be returning as co-host of this year’s Premier’s Harmony Dinner.

Adam Liaw

Adam Liaw is a cook, writer and broadcaster. He is one of Australia’s most in-demand television personalities. He hosts the podcast, ‘How Taste Changed the World,’ and is also co-managing director of i8 Studio. Adam is the author of nine cookbooks and a weekly columnist for Sunday Life magazine and Good Food in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Brisbane Times and Perth Now. Adam is UNICEF Australia’s National Ambassador for Nutrition. He currently serves as a board member of TAFE NSW, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Australia-Japan Foundation, the Museum of Chinese in Australia and the Australian Father’s Day Council.

NSW Federation of Community Language Schools

The NSW Federation of Community Language Schools Choir will lead the room in a rendition of our national anthem and perform the joyous ‘Give You Love’.

Students in the Choir from 11 to 15 years old and all attend Community Language Schools. This year’s ensemble includes students learning Bosnian, Hindi, Japanese, Russian, Sinhala, and Telugu. These are just a few of the 72 community languages on offer at one of 460 locations right around the state. Guiding the Choir for her 9th consecutive year is Maya Flora Stempien, singer, songwriter and music educator of Polish heritage.

Faith Sosenē

Legacy of Excellence performance by Faith Sosenē

The Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals and Honour Roll presented each year at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner pay tribute to the many outstanding people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote social cohesion and harmony across our state. Faith Sosenē’s performance of ‘Lean on Me’ is dedicated to them. As Faith performs this song about community, a montage of past winners and Honour Roll inductees – our Legacy of Excellence – will feature on the screen. Maybe you will see your face or recognise family or friends.

End performance by Faith Sosenē

The night is not over just because the last Medal has been presented. Faith Sosenē joins us back on stage, with backing singers Tali and Jay Oti to keep the party going with her vibrant performance of ‘Roar’ and the 1967 classic first recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’

Larissa Kovalchuk

Larissa Kovalchuk is a Ukrainian-Australian bandurist and mezzo-soprano singer, concert musician, soloist and choir conductor who lives in Sydney, Australia. Larissa studied voice, bandura and conducting at Ukraine’s leading Kiev Conservatorium of Music. She performed in numerous festivals in Ukraine and western Europe, including the 1994 ‘All the World’s Violins’ Festival in France that was organised by Yehudi Menuhen. Since moving to Australia, Larissa has made recordings with SBS and ABC Radio and television companies, performed at the Sydney Opera House and numerous Multicultural and Folk Festivals.

Rosemont Strings

Rosemont Strings was formed in 2016 by four friends making music in a living room on Rosemont Avenue in Sydney, Australia. With the aim of bringing the elite art-form of the string quartet closer to the general public, they took to busking in the streets of Sydney. As word got around, the quartet was invited to play concerts at homes, perform at birthday parties, bring weddings to life and add the touch of opulence to corporate functions. Playing for audiences in an intimate setting brought a greater sense of connection to the music and satisfaction for the band. They have the privilege of performing not only for Australian audiences, but also Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern audiences.

The Graduates Band

The Graduates formed in 2007 with the vision of bringing authentic and exciting jazz to public events. David Bell, on the saxophone, has performed with international artists The Temptations, Jamie Oliver and Leo Sayer and Australian artists Mark Vincent, Grace Knight and Todd McKenney. David has recorded for Olivia Newton John, John Farnham, Seekae and ‘Home and Away’. Double bassist Maximillian Alduca has toured locally and internationally with recent performances at Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Wellington Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival. Maximillian features on recent album releases, ‘Blueprints and Vignettes’, ‘Good Winter’ and ‘The Rumor of Forests and Waves.’