It has been wonderful to celebrate Multicultural March with our community. I find it uplifting to see so many people coming out to embrace and celebrate the cultural diversity that makes New South Wales an extraordinary place to live. Almost 40% of New South Wales residents attended a festival supported by a Multicultural NSW Festival and Event Grant. Please keep across all our latest grant news by following us on social media for updates.
This month we welcomed 1,600 guests to the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, many wearing their cultural dress proudly. The event reminds us of how lucky we are to come together, share stories, and be inspired by the passion of our Multicultural Community Medal Winners and Honour Roll inductees.
I’ve also been privileged to attend many Iftar dinners during the holy month of Ramadan, including one hosted by the NSW Government. I send my best wishes to everyone now observing Eid Al-Fitr. I also pass on my support to all those Christians observing Lent.
Changes to our Advisory Board
Our esteemed Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Chair, Nick Kaldas APM, will be stepping down on 8 April as he embarks on an exciting new role as the head of a key overseas posting in a security and leadership role. In the short term, Simon Chan AM will be appointed as Acting Chair.
I am also pleased to welcome three new members to the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board. Dr Julie Lim, Rosemary Kariuki OAM, and Khushaal Vyas bring a broad range of expertise and experiences to the Advisory Board and I’m looking forward to learning from their insights. I also congratulate Ramneek Singh on his reappointment. You can read more about the members here.
This April is also a special time for our Christian and Jewish communities, with both Easter and Passover falling later in the month. Best wishes to everyone celebrating these important festivals.
Joseph La Posta
CEO