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More than 700 Dignitaries attended Premier Barry O’Farrell second annual Harmony Dinner in Sydney
(Coverage by: Syed Zafar Hussain, Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

CRC Chair, Dr.Stepan Kerkyasharian New South Wales Premier Hon.Barry O’Farrell

More than 700 people - community members, members of parliament, ethnic media and consular corps – came together in Sydney for the second Premier’s Annual Harmony Dinner organised by the Community Relations Commission of NSW. SBS World News Presenter Mr.Ricardo Goncalves was the Master of Ceremonies. CRC Commissioner Mr. Jihad Dib tribute to Multiculturalism.

Welcoming the record gathering, the Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said the turn-out reflected the fact that multiculturalism was a mighty force that made our society strong and unique.

“This was probably the largest ever formal gatherings of ethnic community representatives ever seen in Sydney”, Dr.Stepan Kerkyasharian said.

Premier Barry O’Farrell, the NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello and Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO each gave really inspiring speeches about the history of multiculturalism in NSW and awarded individuals who have gone “above and beyond” to promote multiculturalism for everyone’s benefit.

In fact the Premier told us that “NSW has one of the most culturally-diverse communities in the world.”

The Premier’s annual Harmony Dinner orchestrated on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at the Doltone House Darling Island Wharf was one of the most significant events in the multicultural community. With over 730 high profile guests celebrating multiculturalism in NSW, this gala dinner was hosted by the Hon Barry O’Farrell MP, Premier of NSW, together with the Hon Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities.This significant event celebrated cultural diversity with an array of cultural performances, presentations to significant members of the multicultural community and provided valuable networking opportunities.

This event was a great example of the NSW Government's commitment to a cohesive and inclusive society in which cultures, languages and religions of all citizens are accepted and appreciated. The recipients of the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals were announced on the night along with the with inductees to the Multicultural Honour Roll.

NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals Recipients
• Ms Maha Krayam Abdo OAM
• John Caputo OAM
• Hudson Chen OAM
• Ernie Friedlander OAM
• Jon Soemarjono OAM