Media Release

18/03/2005

Six staff members from the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) today received awards as part of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) 25th Anniversary Awards.

FaCS Secretary, Dr Jeff Harmer, presented the awards at FaCS's Harmony Day morning tea.

'It's apt that I was able to present these awards at our Harmony Day event, as FECCA is Australia's peak body promoting multiculturalism and community harmony,' Dr Harmer said.

'Over the past seven years Harmony Day has grown – it's not just about celebrating cultural diversity – it's about changing attitudes and promoting Australian values like 'a fair go', including everyone and helping out those in need.

'This year's theme You + Me = Us encourages Australians to think about our community's success as a multicultural society; to continue to respect and understand Australians from all backgrounds; and take a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance.'

Award winners included:

• Yvonne Mills: recognised for contribution to development of policy to address the needs of Indigenous people; for her commitment to developing an awareness of Indigenous issues to the wider community; and for helping foster healthy lifestyles and sporting activities for Indigenous people.
• Marianne Pietersen: recognised for commitment to the interests of the Dutch community in the ACT and for her work with the ACT Multicultural Council and a multicultural women photographer's group.
• Yasmin Ramasundara: recognised for commitment to the community, as President of Gunghalin Regional Community Service Incorporated and as President of the Australia Sri Lanka Association of the ACT.
• Karen Schultze: recognised for commitment to teaching English and Australian culture to people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Helen Bondaruk: recognised for her professionalism and personal commitment to the ideals of cultural diversity. As coordinator of the Multicultural Services Unit at FaCS, she promotes awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and to ensure Australia's social policies are appropriate.
• Melissa Dickson: recognised for her dedication and professionalism whilst working as a policy officer responsible for coordinating the FaCS response to the Report of the Review of Settlement Services for Migrants and Humanitarian Entrants, which lead to the adoption of the two separate proposals in the 2004-05 Budget.

A further two interstate FaCS staff will receive their awards at a later date. Cheryl Berryman, from the Northern Territory, is recognised for her commitment to community work with women at Galiwinky, East Timor and Brian Dynon is recognised for his commitment to strengthening relationships between community groups in his home state of Western Australia.

'FaCS is proud of the work its staff does to continue its support of all Australians, including those who have arrived here from other countries,' Dr Harmer said.