Young Australians promoting inclusion, respect and cultural understanding through art, music and film were recently honoured at NSW Parliament House.
Winners and runners-up in the nationwide Moving Forward Together – Harmony Day Competition attended the awards ceremony, which highlighted the role young people can play in challenging prejudice and strengthening connections between communities.
The event carried added significance as Australians continue to reflect on the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack and its impact on social cohesion.
Students took part in interviews and official photographs before speaking about the meaning of harmony and the ideas behind their entries.
Their works focused on hope, kindness, belonging and the importance of people from different cultural and religious backgrounds supporting one another.
NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper and Oatley MP and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure addressed the ceremony and congratulated the students on their creativity and commitment to a more inclusive Australia.
Winning posters, songs and short films were also presented during the event.
Three special awards were announced.
The Julia Lowy Award for the poster competition was presented to Lola Tabone from Mount Grove College for an artwork promoting harmony and inclusion.
Emelyn Hope Konz received the Sean Chew Award for a musical performance carrying a message of hope, unity and belonging.
Cabramatta High School Year 12 student Amin Moniri received the Edith Brutman Award for a short film made at Bondi Beach.
Moniri said he chose Bondi after seeing people from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs stand together following the attack.
“I chose Bondi Beach because, after the tragedy our community experienced, I was inspired by the way people came together,” he said.
“People from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs stood side by side supporting one another.”
For the film, Moniri placed a bowl at Bondi Beach and invited passers-by to answer the question, “What does harmony mean to you?”
“People stopped, shared and reflected, leaving messages of kindness, respect, acceptance and unity,” he said.
“What I learnt is that harmony isn’t just something we celebrate once a year. It is something we choose every day through the way we treat each other.
“Winning this award means more to me than I can put into words.”
Organisers said the awards showed that while violence could deeply affect communities, young Australians were continuing to respond with creativity, compassion and dialogue.
They said the students’ work demonstrated how art, music and storytelling could bring people together and strengthen the values shared across Australia’s diverse communities.