Innovation award for BAA lead

THE Victorian Multicultural Commission’s 2020 Multicultural Awards for Excellence have put Ballarat community leaders in the spotlight.

Ballarat African Association president Dr Michael Akindeju received the Community Innovation Award for his leadership of the BAA’s Re-Branding African Australian Identity project.

“The Awards were more competitive this year than they’ve ever been, so I feel very valued, and know what we are doing across the region is value-adding,” he said.

“Having this recognition validates my efforts, and what we’re doing locally, so it’s important.”

The Re-Branding African Australian Identity initiative aims to celebrate culture, improve self-esteem, and break down barriers so the region’s African Victorians can reach their potential and further enrich the economy.

“We’re hoping at end of the wholistic workshops, individuals within our community can speak for themselves more, feel valued when they contribute to society, and feel a sense of togetherness, standing against stereotyping,” Dr Akindeju said.

An engineer by trade, Dr Akindeju is a member of the Victorian Multicultural Business Ministerial Council, the Grampians Regional Advisory Council for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and the City of Ballarat Intercultural Advisory Committee.

Ballarat Keralites Foundation of Australia member and SoupBus volunteer, Nelson Xavier Kizhakkekunnil Sandhiyave was highly commended in the same category of the Multicultural Awards.

He cooks for the city’s vulnerable people, donates fruit to Alfredton Primary School and has sewed facemasks for the homeless.