‘People of Australia’ Ambassadors Revealed

Forty Australian ‘champions of multiculturalism’ have been selected as People of Australia ambassadors, to help promote multiculturalism and provide feedback to the Federal Government, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced.

The diverse group includes doctors, students, community workers, journalists and even an AFL premiership footballer, representing every state and territory in Australia.

Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC), Judge Rauf Soulio, said “Communities work best when there is strong local leadership and when people are encouraged to participate and join in neighbourhood activities.

“These ambassadors embody these qualities and proactively make a contribution to the Australian community,” Soulio said.

The program gives the 40 ambassadors a platform to share ideas and initiatives, and provide advice to government and the AMC.

Judge Soulio said the AMC “looks forward to receiving feedback from the ambassadors and to working with them to progress multiculturalism.”

Prime Minister Gillard congratulated the 40 Australians for their outstanding work in building strong and cohesive local communities.

The 40 ambassadors were chosen by a 10 member panel from the AMC from more than 350 applications, following a public nomination process.

A full list of ambassadors including biographical details is available at www.amc.gov.au.