Aiden Mitchell (second from left) and Joseph Gordon (third from left) with fellow award recipients
Three Baha’is have received government awards for their work promoting multicultural understanding and harmony.
Aiden Mitchell and Joseph Gordon of Palmerston, Northern Territory, were among the four recipients of the 2008 Charles See Kee Awards, the premier multicultural awards in the Territory.
The awards recognise individuals, organisations and initiatives that have made an outstanding contribution to advancing multiculturalism and counteracting racism in the Territory.
Mr Mitchell, 18, was the winner of the individual (under 25) category for his participation in a broad range of community events and activities as well as his community service work.
Mr Gordon received the award for the Initiative category. He was the coordinator of the “Harmony Wall” project in which hundreds of volunteers created a large mural depicting the life and spirit of the city of Palmerston.
“The NT Government established the Charles See Kee Awards to recognise the tireless efforts by people in our community to promote harmony,” said Matthew Bonson, NT Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Multicultural Affairs, who presented the awards at the NT Parliament House in Darwin to mark Harmony Day.
Unity in diversity
Meanwhile in New South Wales, Dubbo Baha’i Nasser Sedghi received the annual Community Service Award presented by the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW.
Mr Sedghi is well known as a driving force behind Dubbo’s annual Multicultural Festival. He was selected from more than 150 nominees across the State.
Speaking at the award ceremony held at the NSW Parliament House in March, Mr Sedghi said: “I am very grateful to the Dubbo Baha’i Community for its continuous support and assistance.
“I sincerely dedicate and share this award with the people of Dubbo for their support and tolerance, and the opportunity given to me to work towards promotion of a harmonious community and unity in diversity,” he said.