Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli today invited nominations for the 2009 Western Australian Multicultural Community Service Awards.

Western Australia has a higher proportion of people born overseas than any other State and is home to more than 200 cultural groups and nearly 300 languages.

Mr Castrilli said the awards were an opportunity to reflect on the success WA experienced as a multicultural society and the cultural, social and economic benefits the State has gained - and will continue to gain - from migration and settlement.

The awards acknowledge individuals and organisations achieving excellence and innovation in advancing multiculturalism through participation, equity and promotion.

The Multicultural Community Service Awards have three categories: Individuals, Organisations and a new category introduced this year, Business Migrant of the Year. 

This new award acknowledges an outstanding business owned and operated by a person from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) background and is a partnership with the Small Business Development Corporation.

“Recognising the importance of contribution to multicultural interests and citizenship is a way forward for the State,” the Minister said.

I look forward to presenting the awards at Government House in December and encourage all Western Australians to take this opportunity to support the dedicated individuals, groups and organisations advancing multiculturalism in our great State.”  

Nomination forms for the 2009 awards are available from the Office of Multicultural Interest’s website at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au or by calling the OMI on 9217 1600.  Nominations close on Friday October 30, 2009.