His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, as guests of Ms Sneha Chatterjee, Regional Director for NSW and ACT Department of Home Affairs, attend the Multicultural Women’s Reference Group, at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

The morning tea was hosted by the Department of Home Affairs Regional Director NSW/ACT, Ms Sneha Chatterjee.

His Excellency would like to promote the wonderful work of the different multicultural communities through the Australian Honours system – Order of Australia nomination process,  particularly in communities that have been historically underrepresented in nominations and awards.

It was a great opportunity for our Vice President (Senior) Jessie Xiao to meet Their Excellencies along with other wonderful ladies from the reference group. Jessie expressed great gratitude from the wonderful bonding experience to sing together under Mrs Hurley’s guidance!

Ms Catherine Duff, Director of the Race Discrimination team at the Australian Human Rights Commission, along with Dr Maria Koleth from the Australian Human Rights Commission talked about work underway for the National Anti-Racism Framework & engaged in robust discussions with the reference group with regards to their priorities. Ms Duff is excited to hear more from the reference group & from the communities that they work with.

The group also had the opportunity to see Australian’s National Monument to Migration in person. On Harmony Day 2021, the Governor General elevated the status of the Welcome Wall – our most loved tribute to migration – to become Australia’s National Monument to Migration.

Ms Catherine Duff, Director of the Race Discrimination team at the Australian Human Rights Commission, along with Dr Maria Koleth from the Australian Human Rights Commission talked about work underway for the National Anti-Racism Framework & engaged in robust discussions with the reference group with regards to their priorities. Ms Duff is excited to hear more from the reference group & from the communities that they work with.