A co-founder of Startup Interns, Keebra Park State High School and Tambo Teddies are among the winners of the 2019 Multicultural Queensland Awards.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the winners presented a powerful message about equality.
“As Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe likes say: diversity is a fact but inclusion is a choice,” she said.
“What the world needs is more respect, more equality and more freedom.
“These awards recognise the efforts of individuals and organisations who make a genuine impact in helping Queensland become a more welcoming place where we all belong.”
Mr Hinchliffe congratulated the awards recipients for their contributions to support and promote an inclusive, harmonious and united community.
“Each of these nine individuals and organisations thoroughly deserve their recognition and I am proud of the work they have carried out during the past year,” he said.
“I’m particularly pleased for Nadia Saeed, who received the Minister’s Multicultural Award.
“The 20-year-old is an active member of the Muslim community and has been a volunteer with numerous organisations, including the Islamic Council of Queensland, Human Appeal International Australia, Islamic Relief Australia, Sakina and the Hurricane Stars Club.”
Ho Yeung (Ocean) Cheung was named winner of the Outstanding Young Achiever category.
He co-founded Startup Interns, aimed at helping to connect international students to potential work experience opportunities.
Public health practitioner and psychologist Anna Voloschenko received the Outstanding Individual Achiever award for more than 30 years working with diverse communities and has brought to attention health issues facing culturally and linguistically diverse Queenslanders.
With 800 students from more than 63 different backgrounds, Keebra Park State High School won the Education, Training and Skills category.
It is the only school in the Gold Coast region that provides an Intensive English Centre, helping more than 150 students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
