Nadia Lozzi Cuthbertson OAM was a trailblazer and dedicated advocate for multiculturalism in New South Wales. Arriving in Australia as a post-war Italian migrant, Mrs. Cuthbertson’s unwavering commitment to serving migrant communities played a pivotal role in shaping the multicultural landscape of the state.

In the early 1970s, as Australia began to develop its new policy on multiculturalism, Mrs. Cuthbertson was appointed head of the Ethnic Affairs Unit within the Department of Community Services. There, she laid the groundwork for the establishment of the NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission (EAC), becoming the inaugural Executive Officer of the Commission in 1975.

Mrs. Cuthbertson worked closely with Commissioner Dr Paolo Totaro and was integral in the development of the seminal ‘Participation’ report, which became the blueprint for multicultural affairs policy in NSW. Her role in facilitating state-wide community consultations for the report highlighted her deep understanding of the diverse needs of migrant communities.

A key achievement of Mrs. Cuthbertson’s career was her role in the establishment of the Illawarra Ethnic Council in 1975. This was the first regional ethnic council in Australia and set the foundation for similar bodies across the country. Soon after, the NSW Ethnic Communities Council was formed, both organisations continuing to play vital roles in advocating for the rights and needs of diverse communities in NSW today.

Mrs. Cuthbertson was instrumental in the development of the first government-appointed language services, enabling communities to access vital language support. She worked tirelessly to address equity and access issues, ensuring that the voices of migrant communities were heard at the highest levels of government.

Mrs. Cuthbertson’s ability to bring together community leaders and foster collaboration was central to the creation of structures that allowed diverse communities to engage effectively with government and address common concerns.

For her outstanding contributions to multiculturalism, Mrs. Cuthbertson was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985. In 2004, the Human Rights Commission named her one of 50 Great Australians in recognition of her lifelong commitment to social justice and community engagement.

Later in her career, Mrs. Cuthbertson served as a Minister in the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, where she oversaw critical portfolios, including Justice, Health, Education, Public Service, and Police and Immigration.

Nadia Lozzi Cuthbertson’s legacy lives on in the institutions she helped shape, and in the countless individuals whose lives she touched through her unwavering dedication to fostering a more just and inclusive Australia.