Albury Wodonga Multicultural Community Events Inc.(AWMCE) is a Non- Profit Multicultural Organisation which aims is bring the communities together, showcase multiculturism, entertaining, empowering, educating and help the multicultural communities during the difficult time. Creating the pathways so that they can connected in their communities, feel welcome and make easier for them to belongs in th
e community. AWMCE fosters social cohesion, support migrants, refugees, CALD diverse communities, Indigenous communities, the border Australian community and international students together in the Albury Wodonga region. Also, aims to bring the community together to continue conversations and share experiences around trauma, su***de and mental illness. Deliver programs to support young children, youth and seniors with their education, safety, health and wellbeing, sports etc.
2023 Fundraised Events- Multicultural Cusine Day for Youth medical treatment raised 15K in 13 days by AWMCE INC. Assisted with ongoing radiotherapy treatments.
2022- Delivered Orphan child and seniors with Handmade Toys by Betty and financial support in NEPAL SNEHI KAAKHA" Social service organisation.
2021-Organised hundreds people a day Covid-19 vaccinations for months at the clinic for the young and seniors multicultural communities within the border communities.
2021-Raised thousands of dollars for medical treatment to the young artist for kidney transplant. Several Movie Screening screened various movie screenings in the last few years. Some of the projects include Live Concert with international artists and local youth from various multicultural background. The Live Concert was successful with more than 400 people attending the show. Women Empowerment Project with 300 people along with international artists, local men and women from various backgrounds. This event brought together local women from CALD and refugee backgrounds. With guest human right lawyer Fadak Alfayad, presenting cultural performances and discussions around the barriers for CALD and refugee women to keep themselves and their families safe. Numerous movie screenings, fundraising project organised at Regent Cinema for local kids, youth, adults and elderly people. Each time, 100 to 150 people participated. The funds that were raised from movie screening was used to organise events and give back to the communities for cultural awareness programs etc. The awareness and Reflective Journey Project consisted of interviewing people, allowing them to reflect on their life experiences and was published on Facebook. This project attempted to give people a chance to reflect on their life and share wisdom with the newer generation. In 2019, "MULTICULTURAL YOUTH SHOWCASE" to Celebrate Cultural Diversity. Multicultural Youth performing various dances, singing and music. Cultural foods, traditional dresses and Cultural Fashion Walk were exhibited. There were 500 more people from diverse cultural communities such as indigenous, Bhutanese, Nepalese, African, Philippines, Iranian, Indian, Panjabi community etc. Free cultural foods, drinks served, traditional dresses and CULTURAL FASHION WALK was exhibited. This event was provided with a unique opportunity for young people as well as elderly people, diverse community groups to showcase their cultural skills to the wider community. This was a great family-friendly fun event and an opportunity to witness and share various cultures in our region. In 2020, "Multicultural Wellbeing Programme" for 5 weeks which include Hiking, Biking, Running, Yoga for senior men and women, Fitness and Boxing classes for the diverse community in Albury-Wodonga. Coordinated by Om Guragai, Bhakta Bhattarai (Durga), Govin Dahal and Bibek Pokhrel. AWMCE make themselves and distributes reuseable facemasks to vulnerable multicultural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has delivered several projects in Albury and Wodonga over the past 3 years, most of our projects have focused on events that celebrate and bring together diverse communities, to increase social participation, wellbeing and social cohesion in our community. Due to COVID 19, A Build capacity in our local Multicultural community to increase wellbeing and social connection, through online and small group programs.
2020-2021-"Emergency COVID-19 Food Relief Packages". AWMCE organised to distribute the basic food packages to communities impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemics including Migrants communities, International students, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Identified Vulnerable Australian Families. Punya Foundation Inc served as an auspice for AWMCE. The relief package program was run in collaboration with diverse community-based organisations and multicultural communities in the Albury-Wodonga region with the support of volunteers. The relief package distribution program was attended by the representatives of government agencies, Police departments, Multicultural Community Organisations, Youth groups, International students and community members.
2022-“Economic Empowerment of Blind Women through Entrepreneurship”. The four day programs focused on the menstrual hygiene of blind and visually impaired women. AWMCE and Punya Foundation supported the On 13 June 2022. The Blind Women Association Nepal (BWAN). The program observed a number of empowerment activities. Group trainings was provided to the blind and visually impaired female participants regarding food safety and food preparation techniques. Interactive training was provided regarding the menstrual health, how to best manage hygiene and complications of poor menstrual hygiene. On the last day, the menstrual sanitary kits and hygiene material were distributed to the participants. AWARDS ACHIEVEMENTS
Young Australian of the Year Vic 2024- Founder, Bhakta Bhattarai
�Community Group of the Year 2023– Albury Wodonga Multicultural Community Events Inc.
� Premier's Sustainability awards 2021- Social and Economic Justice-Community Champion.
�Multicultural Award 2013-From Wodonga Senior Secondary College
�Individual Community Service Award (2019)- From Wodonga Council at Red Carpet Award
�Meritorious Service Award (2019-From Government of Victoria Award for excellence in Multicultural Affairs
�Young Citizen of the Year (Bhakta Bhattarai)2020 from Wodonga City Council
�City of Wodonga Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity 2020 from Latrobe University
�Young Legend Award Wodonga from Sustainable Communities-Tidy Towns Awards 2020
ACKNOWLEDGE OF COUNTRY
AWMCE inc. acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the lands we now call home. We pay our respects to their Elders Past and Present as well as emerging leaders . We are committed to the process of reconciliation with Australia's First Peoples, acknowledging the important role they play in Australia's future.
