Multicultural Awards Nomination Guide 2026

Multicultural Awards
NOMINATION GUIDE 2026

Are there any exemplary individuals within the Australian community who serve as a beacon of unity, resilience, and empowerment, embodying the core values of Bhartiya Samaj by fostering diversity, strengthening connections, and uplifting communities?

Bhartiya Samaj seeks to honour outstanding achievers who have brought distinction to the community through their dedication, contributions, and leadership.

Nominations for the following annual Multicultural awards are invited from the Bhartiya Samaj organisation:

Key Dates

Nominations open

Monday, 2 March 2026
at 12:01AM

Nominations close

Monday, 1 June 2026
at 11:59PM

Awards Ceremony

Sunday, 2 August 2026
from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Conditions of Nomination

Awards will be conferred during Bhartiya Samaj annual “Empowering People - Strengthening Queensland" event on Sunday, 2 August 2026 from 10AM - 4PM. For all awards nominees’ highlighted achievements must be based solely on their voluntary work and not through any paid position they may hold.
Candidates must reside in Queensland to be eligible for nomination.
The organisation or individual must operate primarily in Queensland for the purposes of these awards.
Each candidate may be nominated for only one award category. If multiple nominations are submitted for the same individual across different categories, the first category nomination received will be considered valid. To ensure transparency, both the nominee and the nominator will be informed via email if multiple nominations are identified, confirming that only the initial category of nomination will be accepted.
Past winners of the same category will not be eligible for nomination for a period of two years.
Recipients of an award will make themselves available to be photographed and interviewed on video and are expected to attend the event to receive the award in person.
Selection Panellist decisions are final.
We invite nominations from across Queensland, however Bhartiya Samaj may not be able to provide travel allowances/honorariums for award recipients to attend the event.
Late submissions will not be considered.

Nominators: please ensure that you complete the entire nomination form and attach all supporting documentation. The nomination package will be copied for the Awards Committee, so please ensure that it will be legible when photocopied, and that you adhere to minimum and maximum requirements.

Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. The Bhartiya Samaj team would be pleased to provide advice in developing your nomination package should you require it.

A Quick Recap of Bhartiya Samaj Awards Expo 2025

Bhartiya Samaj Empowering People - Strengthening Queensland

See award-specific criteria below to provide considerations and evidence relevant to that award. At least one of the listed criterions should be addressed in submissions/nominations.

Award-specific Criteria

Lifetime Service Award

Purpose:
To recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional, sustained, and selfless voluntary service to the community over an extended period. This award honours a lifetime of contribution that has strengthened community wellbeing, supported social, cultural, faith-based and humanitarian causes, promoted multicultural harmony, and inspired future generations—primarily within Queensland.

JUDGING & SELECTION CRITERIA

Length & consistency of service (30%):
Demonstrated long-term voluntary service, typically 20+ years, primarily within Queensland.
Community impact (30%):
Clear, positive outcomes across social, cultural, religious/faith-based, humanitarian, or multicultural initiatives; supports community welfare and social cohesion.
Leadership & mentoring (20%):
Contribution to mentoring others, building future leaders, and strengthening community capability through guidance and example.
Integrity & reputation (20%):
Strong ethical standing, inclusiveness and respect; recognised as a trusted community figure with no substantiated misconduct.
Evidence of service:
Supported by credible documentation (e.g., endorsement letters, service/volunteer records, certificates/testimonials, media recognition, or statutory declaration).
Queensland contribution:
Majority of recognised service delivered within Queensland.

RECOMMENDED AWARD FORMAT (Lifetime Service Only)

To ensure inclusiveness and equitable recognition, it is recommended that two (2) Lifetime Service Awards be presented each year where suitable nominees exist:

1 x Male recipient

1 x Female recipient

(Note: This is recommended only for the Lifetime Service Award category, given its significance and the depth of long-term service it represents.)

AWARD CONDITIONS

One-time recognition:
The Lifetime Service Award may be received only once by any individual.
Exclusive status:
Recipients become ineligible for other Multicultural awards in future years.
Revocation:
Multicultural awards committee may revoke the award if false information is provided, serious misconduct is proven, or the recipient’s actions bring disrepute to the community.

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Purpose: To honour an outstanding individual who actively promotes multicultural understanding, cross-cultural (or intercultural) unity, and harmonious living within the community. This award recognizes those who engage in cross-cultural collaborations, demonstrate outreach across various cultural and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities, and advocate for policies that foster inclusion and intercultural understanding.

Judging Criteria

Demonstrated outreach and engagement, specifying the number of distinct ethnic, cultural, and CALD communities reached, including subgroups within larger cultural communities.
Efforts towards reducing cultural or ethnic barriers.
Impact on improving intercultural relations and cooperation.
Long-term commitment to multicultural initiatives.
Community recognition of the individual's work, requiring testimonials or endorsements from community leaders or representatives to highlight the breadth and depth of the individual's intercultural impact.

COMMUNITY ORGANISATION AWARD

Purpose: To acknowledge an organisation that drives systemic change and has made an exceptional contribution to the development of the community.

Judging Criteria

Clear demonstration of positive impact on the community.
Innovative programs or projects that address the needs of diverse communities.
Contribution to social, cultural, or economic betterment of the community.
Inclusive practices in engaging and supporting multicultural members.
Success in mobilising resources and building partnerships.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Purpose: To acknowledge an organisation that drives systemic change and has made an exceptional contribution to the development of the community.

Judging Criteria

Demonstration of outstanding leadership and service in the community.
Initiatives that bring about positive social change or community development.
Innovation in addressing community needs or challenges that tackle modern-day challenges.
Leadership in mobilising and engaging others in community activities, where the nominee has mentored or empowered other leaders.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Purpose: To recognise a young individual (15 – 24 yrs) who has shown leadership in making a difference in the community.

Judging Criteria

Leadership in social, cultural, sports or educational initiatives.
Commitment to empowering peers or creating positive social impact.
Demonstrated innovation or creative problem-solving in addressing community issues.
Consistency in leadership roles or actions that inspire others.
The scope of influence and long-term potential for positive impact.

Disability Advocacy Award

Purpose: The Disability Advocacy Award celebrates exceptional voluntary dedication and efforts to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. This award honours those who selflessly champion equal opportunities, advocate for systemic changes, and create lasting positive impacts in critical areas such as the workplace, business, government, science, faith-based services, media, and beyond. It specifically recognises individuals whose advocacy stems from a personal commitment rather than professional obligations, ensuring the focus remains on voluntary contributions.

Judging Criteria

Demonstrated voluntary efforts to advocate for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Evident contributions in fostering accessibility and inclusivity across diverse sectors, such as the workplace, business, government, science, faith-based services, and media.
Proven impact of advocacy efforts, including testimonials or endorsements from individuals or groups who have directly benefited.
Innovation in addressing challenges or barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
Evidence of sustained and long-term commitment to disability advocacy initiatives.

EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS AWARD

Purpose: To recognise a sportsperson who excels in sports and positively influences others through their passion, performance, and character and how their sportsmanship inspires others, particularly in underprivileged communities.

Judging Criteria

Achievements and performance in their chosen sport (local, national, or international).
Dedication to training, discipline, and excellence in sport.
Demonstration of sportsmanship, integrity, and positive conduct.
Contribution to the promotion of sports among youth.
Inspiring leadership or mentorship within the sports community.

CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC
EXCELLENCE AWARD

Purpose: To recognise an outstanding person within the wider arts / creative sector, who also positively influences others through their passion, performance, and character, encourage collaboration between different art disciplines (e.g. fusing cultural influences).

Judging Criteria

Significant achievements in their chosen area of the arts (local, national, or international), highlighting their originality, technical skills, and creativity.
Demonstration of cultural relevance within their works or performances.
Proven impact and contribution to the promotion of the arts among the multicultural and wider community.
Inspiring leadership or mentorship within the arts community.

To be eligible for nomination, candidates must be residents of Queensland.

Each candidate may be nominated for only one award category. If multiple nominations are submitted for the same individual across different categories, the first category nomination received will be considered valid. To ensure transparency, both the nominee and nominator will be informed via email if multiple nominations are identified, clarifying that only the initial category of nomination will be accepted.

Previous award recipients are ineligible to be nominated in the same category for a minimum of two years following their win. However, they may be eligible to be nominated in a different category if they meet the relevant criteria.

How to Complete the Nomination

When nominating an individual, please include all of the following:

Nomination Form

Please fully complete the “Multicultural’ Award” nomination form

Nominator’s letter
(maximum of two pages)

addressing each point of the Award Criteria, please explain why this candidate should be chosen to receive this award. Include aspects of the candidate’s life and achievements that qualify him/her/group for the award. Highlight not only what is important for us to know about this nominee, but also what is interesting or unique about this individual/group.

Nominee’s information
(maximum of four pages):

including, for example, relevant volunteer experience, national and international recognition, previous recognition, awards, or honours received, and membership in professional organisations or honorary societies

Two letters of support

by individuals other than the nominator.

Media clippings
(maximum of two media clippings, if relevant):

Ensure that media clippings include a clear
reference to the publication (name/date/page). If there are additional media clippings, please include only a
reference list of these.

Optional Documentation

Please attach any supporting documentation to the nomination, should you wish . Accepted document types are .doc/.docx, .jpg, .pdf, .png (5 MB
maximum file size per document). For questions, please contact the Bhartiya Samaj team at 0406 344 692 or by email at:
nominations@bhartiyasamaj.org.au

Please reference candidate’s name on every page of the supporting documentation.
The Bhartiya Samaj team would be pleased to provide advice in developing your nomination should you require it.

Have questions?

Contact the Bhartiya Samaj team for questions & enquiries at nominations@bhartiyasamaj.org.au about the awards and refer to the Key Dates for
the current nominations’ deadline, and date of the awards ceremony