It is a particularly colourful, vibrant and socially affirming event. Hosted by the Premier of Victoria and the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the event plays a significant role in demonstrating the commitment to celebrating the richness of diversity.

This year, the event was hosted in the City of Greater Geelong, marking the first Gala to be hosted in regional Victoria. 

Importantly, the event provided an opportunity to hear from government leaders – and their commitment to multiculturalism did not disappoint.

Minister Julian Hill, barely settled into his new federal portfolio of multicultural affairs, is noticeably keen to action the new Multicultural Framework, “to ensure stronger and more equitable community outcomes”. 

Minister Hill’s electorate is Bruce, which takes in the areas of Dandenong and its surrounds. He drew on his experiences in the electorate to speak about both the contributions and the needs of multicultural communities at various stages of settlement.

Premier Jacinta Allan did not shy away from speaking about the current challenges facing the community that has been impacted by the many overseas conflicts. “Communities are hurting – I don’t need to remind anyone in this room of that. Our Palestinian community, our Jewish community, our Ukrainian community, our Sudanese community and more,” she said.

Allan was resolute in announcing Victoria’s first anti-racism strategy as a step forward in ensuring that the social cohesion that the community enjoys is protected for all.

She spoke passionately about the contributions multicultural members of the community have made: “Everyone who has hired a worker who cared for a patient [or] educated a child. Everyone who came here to improve their own lives, and in the process, improved everyone else’s [is deserving of respect].”

The Premier also took the opportunity to mention the Victorian Government’s recent work to strengthen “anti-vilification protections” in an increased effort to combat racism in the State.

The Gala guests were delighted to hear Allan’s announcement that over the next three years, 6000 Victorian government buildings, schools, parks, government and council-managed roads, suburbs (and more) will be named after the State’s multicultural leaders. A tribute to their contribution to building a culturally rich community.

The Premier mentioned the many migrants who came to Australia post war; Italians, Greeks and Macedonians who laid the foundations for the multiculturalism we now enjoy. Further, the more recent communities such as those from India, various parts of Africa and Afghanistan, who continue to contribute to the vibrancy of the State’s diversity.

“Our government will honour our state’s multicultural stories in the streets, parks, and buildings that Victorians use every day,” she declared.

Allan specifically related the story of the late Frank Costa AO, a beloved Geelong community member of Italian origin who started out as a newspaper boy. Like many, he worked hard to contribute to the social and economic success of the community. Costa’s fruit and vegetable wholesale business is one of the largest and his contribution is now immortalised by a bronze statue in Geelong’s city centre, close to where the Gala was being held.

Opposition Liberal Party leader John Pesutto MP was also passionate about the importance of recognising and strengthening multiculturalism. He thanked all those community leaders for their contributions to social cohesion, “for the work you see, and the work you do not see”.

Pesutto spoke from his own lived experience as son of Italian migrant parents and how he had to step in as a child to help his parents as they struggled to survive in a foreign land, with little support. He related how his parents had fled a dire post war reality in Italy to establish a new life in Australia with a sense of hope for a better future for their family.

Pesutto explained that he specifically chooses to keep the portfolio as Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs “because it is important to me”, referencing both his own multicultural background and his work over many years in the area.

He called on guests to focus on the common themes that brought the community together: “Our multicultural story is the product of the values we share, the hope that we cherish.” 

Pesutto reminded everyone that our “social obligation is not to sow division”.

Other government representatives included Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Gayle Tierney, Minister for Skills and TAFE and Regional Development, Christine Couzens MP, Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples. David Southwick, Minister for Major Projects, and Wayne Farnham, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, were also present.

Vivienne Nguyen, Chair of the VMC, also spoke of the important role Victoria’s multiculturalism played in shaping a sense of connection and belonging in the community. She reminded the guests of the importance of community leadership as part of contributing to the shared vision for community cohesion.

Vivienne’s own experiences as a very young refugee, successful corporate leader and Chair of the VMC has meant that she has a grounded sense of the complexity of being a member of the multicultural community. It is obvious that she draws on both her pragmatism, sense of community empathy and strong leadership skills to be a popular and effective community leader.

Guests in cultural dress enjoying the evening

Whilst this Gala event was smaller than past ones, it still reflected the energy, passion and commitment of the 500 strong participants to contribute to the common mission that is supporting, celebrating and advocating for diverse communities as one strong Victorian community.

Over 100 different ethnic communities were represented: Indian, Ethiopian, Ukrainian, Greek, Scottish, South Sudanese, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Malaysian and of course, Italian. There were also people of various faiths who enjoyed the evening together at the Geelong Pier, including those of Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and others.

The Gala provided participants the option to dress in national costume, and, as always, many of the guests took up the occasion to dress to impress.

The Pier provided a beautiful setting to enjoy the sight of so many people all dressed up to share something of deep cultural significance – the sight of luxurious, brightly coloured Thai silk dresses, linen vests lovingly embroidered with intricate patterns, African kufi and hula hats, regal turbans, and beaded headpieces provided a sense of the intense pride the diverse Victorian community has in coming together as one.

The Gala once again this year reminded everyone that a respectful, diverse community is worth working towards – and worth celebrating.