“Winners included a budding young law student, a real estate company focused on assisting migrants into their new lives in the nation’s capital and a childcare centre with a curriculum which embraces multiculturalism,” Yvette said.

“The judging process this year was a difficult one, that was because there were so many worthy and dedicated nominees across all the categories.”

Awards were given to companies and individuals in seven categories. They were:

• Premier Capital Properties for the Business Enterprise Award;
• Health Care Consumers’ Association of the ACT for the Community Organisation Award;
• Bunyarra Children’s Centre for the Education Award;
• “CityNews” arts editor Helen Musa for the Media Award;
• Dr Krishna Nadimpalli was named Multicultural Advocate of the Year;
• Jeeven Nadanakumar was named Multicultural Young Person of the Year; and
• Mohammed Ali was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Each winner received a specially-engraved crystal trophy, a bunch of beautifully arranged multi-coloured roses and a voucher for a hot air balloon ride across Canberra.

“The reason we’ve chosen a balloon ride as the major component in this year’s prize is to symbolise the uplifting nature of each of our award winners,” Yvette said.

“They have worked hard to enhance our city’s cultural diversity, lifting it up and prioritising the needs of people and groups from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”