Multicultural Arts Victoria is honored to be selected as one of three finalists in the City of Melbourne’s 2016 Melbourne Awards in the Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Community Organisation category.

Now in its 14th year, the Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that make our city such a unique place to live, visit and do business.

The Melbourne Awards honour a diverse range of contributions, focusing on community organisations and corporations who work tirelessly for the benefit of the city. Highlighting these achievements inspires and challenges others to help create a better future for Melbourne.

Four areas have been identified by the City of Melbourne as vital elements for securing Melbourne’s future as a thriving, forward-thinking capital city: honouring significant contributions to Melbourne’s environmental sustainability, community, profile and multiculturalism. Within each of these areas, winners are recognised in two separate divisions: corporations and community organisations;resulting in a total of eight award categories.

Included in the shortlist of 30 finalists across eight categories are iconic institutions such as the Arts Centre, Crown Melbourne, Zoos Victoria and the Melbourne Museum, and smaller-scale community organisations such as the MPavilion, The Big Issue, Movember Foundation and The Water Well Project.

City of Melbourne Chief Executive Officer Martin Cutter congratulated the organisations shortlisted.

“This year’s finalists embody the true spirit of our city, the most liveable in the world. Our finalists vary in their areas of focus and expertise but they are all exemplary in their commitment to Melbourne.”

The Awards celebrate significant achievements in the areas of Environmental Sustainability, Community, Profile and Multiculturalism, with subcategories to recognise corporations and community organisations within their respective fields.

The independent judging panel for the 2016 Melbourne Awards included 53 business and community leaders across a range of industry sectors. The final shortlist was made following a rigorous assessment and interview process.

A gala event will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 12 November where the winners from each category, along with the 2016 Melburnian of the Year, will be announced.