Multicultural Queensland Awards
The Multicultural Queensland Awards celebrate everyday champions—the ones who bring people together, strengthen connections, and create real impact across Queensland.
Award winners will be recognised at the Multicultural Queensland Awards ceremony, held during Multicultural Queensland Month in August.
Nominations for 2026 have closed.
The Multicultural Queensland Awards 2025 winners are:
Individuals
Emil Rahimov is a Director of CALD Services for Queensland Baptists, an advocate for interfaith cooperation and harmony, and a supporter of refugees and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
As a member of the Queensland Police Service Multicultural Advisory Group, Rahimov works closely with faith leaders across Queensland, using spirituality as a means of fostering social cohesion.
In partnership with Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, he has helped develop resources including mental health tools for migrant communities and is pursuing a PhD focussing on the mental well-being of children in skilled migrant families.
Rahimov is deeply committed to grassroots communities and works to ensure that all individuals, regardless of faith or cultural background, feel welcomed and valued.
Ben Maiyo works as a Community and Co-design Project Officer at the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ). Beyond his work at ECCQ, Mr Maiyo is a Red Cross volunteer, disaster preparedness and response facilitator, and community advocate.
Through the Red Cross Pillowcase Project, he has trained children in disaster preparedness, building their confidence and resilience to respond in times of emergency.
He has translated emergency updates into Kiswahili during Cyclone Alfred, ensuring multicultural communities were not left behind. And he has connected more than 100 people with vital services such as recovery support and mental health care during the 2025 floods in North Queensland.
Since arriving in Queensland less than two years ago, Ben has helped reconnect families, assisted young people and women in obtaining their driver’s licences, and strengthened engagement with multicultural organisations.
His dedication, leadership, and innovative approach have made a tangible, positive difference in Queensland, helping diverse communities thrive socially and economically.
Raewyn Burton (Rae) is a volunteer and advocate for Pacific Islanders and multicultural inmates in prison and in immigration detention.
Since she started volunteering in 2013, Rae has forged pathways within correctional centres and reached out to organisations that don’t often engage in cross cultural conversations.
She’s provided prison inmates and people in detention, and their families, access to legal information and support, as well as accommodation, food and financial aid.
Rae has also supported new arrivals in the community with food, accommodation, legal services, even Christmas hampers.
Rae has also been a powerful force for change for the rights of non-citizens facing trial.
Her links to community and outreach, all done on a voluntary basis, have provided deep and crucial support to migrant communities.
Lolla Ingadottir is a dedicated Queensland Government employee who applies innovative and creative approaches to encourage social cohesion, promote cultural mentoring, and empower disadvantaged communities across Townsville and North Queensland.
Through various programs and initiatives, Lolla has supported migrants and refugees by connecting them with essential community services, assisting in the development of food businesses, and advocating for their needs across state and local government, as well as within the broader community.
Lolla’s commitment to building intercultural understanding and supporting those experiencing disadvantage has strengthened connections across communities and created opportunities for participation and inclusion.
Irene Bayldon has been volunteering in the community sector in various capacities for over 35 years.
She has been involved with the Brisbane Migrant Resource Centre, worked on the development of the Brisbane Ethnic Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), and is President of the Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland.
Through her work at Radio 4EB, Irene has used her position to elevate and amplify Pacific voices and mentored and trained new cadets.
Irene started a Fiji language program in 1997, and has worked with the Queensland Multicultural Council, Women’s Ethnic Network, the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and the Indian Senior Citizens Association among many others.
Irene’s tireless commitment over nearly 40 years to championing the voices and needs of multicultural communities in Queensland, makes her a worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achiever award.
Organisations
The Maisha Bora Program is a transformative initiative that has empowered resettled refugees and migrant women, particularly single mothers, to actively engage in Queensland’s social and economic landscape.
From the Swahili phrase for “better life”, the Maisha Bora Program has for over five years been a lifeline for refugees and migrants navigating the complexities of a new country, helping them to recognise their skills, build confidence and secure employment or education opportunities.
Initiated and led by African- Australian women, and under the directorship of current Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council member Anna Jones — herself a migrant with experience working in refugee camps - the group has provided migrants in North Queensland access to vocational training in areas such as hospitality, agriculture and crafts.
Maisha Bora also offers language classes, financial literacy training and work placement, and organises community events aimed at fostering social connection and cultural exchange.
John Holland is an Australian construction and engineering company that is setting an example for other businesses to follow.
Partnering with organisations such as Multicultural Australia, CareerSeekers, and Multicultural Consulting Services, John Holland has provided life-changing paid internship opportunities for more than 150 refugees and asylum seekers across Australia. Many have continued into full-time employment with John Holland at the completion of their internship.
Believing that everyone benefits from a work culture that values different identities and perspectives, John Holland strives to create a workplace where everyone feels that they belong. This is achieved through a range of initiatives, including providing a cultural leave exchange program to support their staff.
These actions demonstrate a values-driven culture, where corporate responsibility is prioritised and put into action.
Award categories
Volunteer of the Year
Recognising individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who generously volunteer their time and skills in Queensland.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognising a multicultural organisation or individual from a culturally diverse background for an entrepreneurial endeavour that has created new economic opportunities for Queensland.
Women’s Economic Empowerment
Recognising a woman who is advancing and strengthening economic security for women from culturally diverse backgrounds by championing opportunities, reducing barriers, and supporting long-term financial independence.
Grassroots Not-for-Profit
Recognising a small not-for-profit organisation (turnover less than $1 million) for its outstanding achievements in serving multicultural communities.
Social Cohesion and Community Impact Project of the Year
Recognising an organisation or a community group that has undertaken a project that delivered measurable social, cultural and community benefits through intercultural or interfaith initiatives that build bridges between communities.
Lifetime Achiever
Honouring an individual whose lifetime commitment has significantly strengthened social cohesion across multicultural communities. This award recognises sustained leadership in interfaith and intercultural engagement, fostering dialogue, understanding respect and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.
Minister’s Multicultural Award
Presented at the discretion of the Minister to recognise an outstanding contribution to multicultural Queensland.
Selection criteria
Nominations will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Impact: Shows clear, positive outcomes and results that have helped multicultural communities
- Leadership: Shows strong leadership in inspiring others, driving change, or making a difference in multicultural communities.
- Innovation: Shows creativity or new ideas to solve problems or create opportunities for multicultural communities
- Outstanding: Shows how their efforts stand out and go above and beyond in supporting multicultural communities.
Assessment process
Nominations are reviewed and assessed by an independent judging panel.
The judges will assess only the information provided in the nomination, using the responses to the questions and criteria for each category.
The Minister for Multiculturalism will select an outstanding nominee to receive the Minister’s Multicultural Award.
Yes, self-nominations are accepted.
No, you cannot nominate the same person or organisation in more than one category for the same initiative or activity. Each nomination must go under one category only.
You can, however, submit more than one nomination. These must be for different people, organisations, initiatives, or activities.
Yes, if the business operations are in Queensland.
Yes, however, they must be nominated for a completely different project or activity.
The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in August during Multicultural Queensland Month. The winners will be promoted via Queensland Government communication channels and may be selected to be interviewed by media organisations.
Unsuccessful nominees will be advised of the outcome. Feedback can be provided upon request. The Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism also welcomes feedback on the nomination process at any time via email at MQM@maq.qld.gov.au.
Nominations are accepted in your language. If you are planning to submit a nomination in your language, please email MQM@maq.qld.gov.au for further information at least one week prior to the awards nominations closing date.
Interpreting services are available for people who prefer to communicate in a language other than English. If you have difficulty understanding these frequently asked questions or would feel more comfortable discussing your questions in your own language, please telephone 1800 512 451 and ask for an interpreter.
