Community at the heart
Interpreters and Translators Medal, sponsored by NAATI
Neena Sinha loves meeting people!
Which is handy given her role as a NAATI Certified Hindi Translator and Interpreter.
In 2024, Neena was recognised at International Translation Day celebrations at NSW Parliament House for her 40 years of service.
Neena moved to Australia from Delhi, India in the late 1970s. She was inspired to work with her community to help migrant and refugee women.
To help make settlement a little easier, she started Hindi and English language classes for migrants, teaching ‘Australian English’.
Neena is one of the founders of the Indian Women’s Social and Cultural Organisation and Chair of the Immigrant Women Speak Out Association, among other community based voluntary roles.
“I still get up and think about what good thing I can do each day. This keeps me going,” Neena said.
“I do lots of community work and it makes me feel good. I have an opportunity to help people as they settle into their lives in a new country.
“I have helped women coming from different countries. Whether they come from the Middle East or Europe, the culture in Australia is so different. It is difficult to assimilate at first and it can be a bit of a shock.”
Neena also sees her work as an interpreter and translator for Multicultural NSW as equally rewarding, especially her work in NSW Courts.
“It is such an important thing for people to get a fair go,” Neena said.
“There are sensitive issues such as domestic violence. Some people may not understand it is against the law and wives may be scared of speaking out against their husbands.”
While interpreters are required to stay impartial when dealing with sensitive issues, Neena says the cultural nuances and sensitivities are important to consider.
“I am allowed to interpret cultural beliefs that a magistrate, judge or lawyer does not understand,” Neena said.
“In the courtroom, the judges and magistrates often give interpreters the chance to explain the cultural norms. This is important because we need to make them understand what those in front of the court are trying to say.
“People who come to court are nervous, scared and stressed. I feel they look up to me in my role. I get a great sense of satisfaction when I have achieved something good in my work in the courts.”
As for being acknowledged with the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Award, Neena is very humble.
“It’s a great, great honour to win this award. What I have been doing, I have done for pleasure and satisfaction, and it gives me a great sense of fulfillment and achievement,” Neena said.
“I can look back over the past 40 years and know I did something useful with my life.”
For her dedication to interpreting and translating, Neena Sinha was awarded Multicultural NSW’s 2025 Interpreters and Translators Medal.
