At the Opening Reception for the 2025 Welcoming Australia Symposium in Western Sydney on Tuesday 6 May, community leaders from across Australia were awarded for their exceptional contribution to building a welcoming Australia where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
2025 is the fourth year of the Welcoming Cities Awards for Change, attracting another stellar line up of nominees all doing incredible work to strengthen social cohesion between migrant and receiving communities.
The Welcoming Cities Awards for Change celebrate change made in communities by individuals, organisations and local councils to ensure everyone has a chance to participate, belong and thrive. Winners were chosen from an exceptionally strong field of candidates for their commitment to advancing communities of welcome, belonging and inclusion.
In recognition of its impact, the City of Greater Dandenong's Community Connector program won the 2025 Welcoming Cities Award for Change in the Local Government category.
The City of Greater Dandenong's Community Connector program began as a temporary Covid-19 response. It has since evolved into a permanent initiative to address critical service gaps for vulnerable residents, particularly Afghan families. The program has empowered hundreds of families to access essential services and build stable lives by fostering connections, breaking down barriers and providing direct support.
Integreat Queensland is the winner of the 2025 Welcoming Cities Awards for Change in the Organisation category. Their initiative, the Moving Feast, fosters social cohesion and economic empowerment within Gladstone's multicultural community. Integreat Queensland allows everyone from everywhere to get involved, feel welcome, learn new things, and contribute to a strong, thriving local community. For over 10 years, they have been helping new and existing residents across central Queensland to come together and enrich their lives through these connections. They support people from different countries, backgrounds and parts of Australia to confidently settle in, make friends, share their skills and culture, and build relationships with local people that benefit everyone.
The Welcoming Cities Award (individual) recognises those who go above and beyond to cultivate a culture of welcome and inclusivity in their communities. This year, the award has been awarded to City of Stirling's Eva Mwakichako , an outstanding leader with over 10 years' experience working in the community sector in various private and public sector roles in Perth. She is committed to, and passionate about, providing and improving culturally appropriate services for people of diverse backgrounds, particularly those who are disadvantaged or facing adversity. Throughout her career, Eva has overcome various challenges and experiences which have shaped her leadership style and helped her to become a resilient and adaptable human. She is a strong advocate for the industry and actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community she serves.
The Welcoming Australia Medal recognises exceptional individuals who have made a significant and ongoing contribution to communities where everyone can belong. This award acknowledges the hard work, passion and commitment of a select group of people who have been instrumental in growing Welcoming Australia as the largest network and movement for advancing social cohesion across the country, and holding significant influence on moving the dial towards welcoming and belonging. The Welcoming Australia Medal recognises individuals who have played a significant (and often unassuming) role in developing Welcoming Australia as a movement and organisation. Since 2018 it has been awarded to key individuals who have been instrumental in making Welcoming Australia what it is today and whose legacy deserves to be honoured. In 2025, the Welcoming Australia Medal is awarded to Gary Lee. Gary Lee has played a crucial role in the Welcoming Australia story, particularly in Victoria. In 2012, Gary joined Welcome to Australia (former name) as an ambassador in the movement's early days and has been actively involved since. Gary helped to coordinate multiple Melbourne Walk Together events between 2014 and 2018. He has championed the Welcoming Universities initiative, particularly in its early research, development and implementation stages. In addition to promoting Welcoming Australia's work, values and goals, Gary is also an active ambassador for Bully Zero Australia Foundation, Melbourne Victory Multicultural Program and the Moroccan Children's Appeal.
Key Facts:
Community leaders from across Australia awarded for their exceptional contributions to advancing a welcoming Australia where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive:
City of Greater Dandenong, Welcoming Cities Awards for Change, local government category winner (VIC)
Integreat Queensland, Welcoming Cities Awards for Change, organisation category winner (QLD)
Eva Mwakichako, City of Stirling, Welcoming Cities Award (WA)
Gary Lee OAM, Welcoming Australia Medal (VIC)
About us:
Welcoming Australia is a non-partisan movement and organisation committed to cultivating a culture of welcome and advancing an Australia where people of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive. Welcoming Australia leads and activates the most extensive community network for advancing social cohesion nationwide through initiatives Welcoming Cities, Welcoming Clubs, Welcoming Universities and Welcoming Workplaces.
