The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) held its annual Australia Day Award Ceremony on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, at the Holroyd Centre in Merrylands, NSW. This prestigious event, backed by the Australia Day Council of NSW, celebrates the exceptional achievements of Australians of Lebanese origin who have made outstanding contributions to Australian society.
The evening commenced with a cocktail party, setting the tone for a night of celebration and recognition. The official ceremony was opened by MC Claudine Mansour Germanos, followed by an Acknowledgment of Country and the Australian National Anthem. A solemn minute of silence was observed for fallen heroes, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Mayor of Cumberland Council, Clr. Ola Hamed, delivered the official opening, followed by remarks from UALM Federal Coordinator Dr. Maroun Khoury and NSW Vice Coordinator Mr. Roger Hatem. The highlight of the speeches included addresses from The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, represented by Dr. Andrew Charlton, Federal Member for Parramatta, and The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, represented by Ms. Julia Finn MP. The Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP, Leader of the Opposition of NSW, was also represented by Ms. Robyn Preston MP.
The award presentations celebrated notable achievements across various fields:
- Dr. Wally Ahmar from Victoria received the Australia Day Award for Medicine.
- Miss Lara Nakhle from New South Wales was honoured with the Australia Day Award for Arts.
The event also featured a special donation of $5,000 to Aspect, presented by UALM-NSW Treasurer Mrs. Laura Chahine, and an address by Mr. Ben Dave, Head of Education Partnerships and Business Development at Aspect.
Among the attendees were representatives from Oz Arab Media, Remy Wehbe and Elie Kaltoum, who showcased the media outlet’s dedication to covering multicultural events that highlight the contributions of diverse communities to Australian society.
The evening concluded with coffee, tea, and the closure of the ceremony, leaving attendees inspired by the achievements of their peers and the strong community spirit that the UALM fosters annually.
