Nominees for We Are Brimbank Awards 2026

Africa Day Australia Inc 

Africa Day Australia Inc is a multicultural community organisation that celebrates African culture while building bridges across communities in Brimbank and beyond. Through cultural events, talent shows, educational and wellness programs, the organisation promotes unity, cultural exchange and community wellbeing. Its work brings people together to celebrate diversity and strengthen social connection.

Eagles Folk Dance

Eagles Folk Dance is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation devoted to preserving and celebrating Albanian culture, tradition, and identity through dance and music. Bringing together over 100 dancers of all ages, the group proudly keeps generations connected to their roots while sharing the beauty of Albanian heritage with the wider community. Through every performance, Eagles Folk Dance honours tradition, strengthens cultural pride, and ensures these customs continue to live on for future generations.

Inspire Hope

Inspire Hope’s More Hope for Christmas function is a free community celebration for local individuals and families facing hardship, isolation, or financial stress. Created to restore dignity and remove barriers, the event brings around 50 people together for a warm Christmas lunch, live entertainment, and genuine connection. 

The impact extends across the community, uniting volunteers, local businesses, and donors in a shared act of generosity. More Hope for Christmas not only meets immediate needs but also builds lasting relationships and hope. For attendees it is a chance to feel seen, valued, and reminds everyone involved that community care can be both powerful and deeply personal.

Kud Dukat Bosnian Folklore Inc

KUD Dukat has been enriching Melbourne’s cultural life since 2008. Founded by members of the Bosnian refugee community who made Brimbank their home, Dukat celebrates and preserves Bosnian cultural heritage through traditional dance, music, and costume.

With many members born and raised in Brimbank, the ensemble brings together children, youth, and adults to share their culture at multicultural festivals, community events, and civic celebrations across Brimbank and Melbourne. Through its performances and strong volunteer spirit, KUD Dukat proudly contributes to the vibrant multicultural identity of the local community.

St Albans Sports Club

St Albans Sports Club has been a valued part of the local community since its establishment in 1984. Located in a thriving multicultural area, the club supports a large and diverse membership base and plays an important role in bringing people together through sport, recreation, and community engagement. The club provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can participate and build meaningful connections. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, participation, and community spirit, St Albans Sports Club continues to contribute to the social wellbeing and cohesion of the local community.

The Task At Hand Inc

The Task At Hand is a Brimbank-based not-for-profit public space arts company dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical and intellectual disabilities. It works to increase inclusion and visibility both within the arts industry and the broader community. The organisation creates original performances designed for public spaces, placing artists with disabilities front and centre to engage diverse audiences. In addition, it provides training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, helping artists build networks and pathways toward meaningful employment. Through these initiatives, The Task At Hand fosters greater accessibility, representation, and participation in the arts

Beyond Disability Services

Beyond Disability Services is a dedicated disability support organisation serving the Brimbank community, founded on lived experience and a genuine understanding of the sector’s challenges. Committed to compassion, respect, and empowerment, Beyond delivers tailored, person-centred support that enhances independence and strengthens community connection. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, Beyond Disability Services helps individuals and families across Brimbank feel confident, valued, and empowered.

DanceIt Fitness

DanceIt Fitness is a high-energy group fitness concept that blends easy-to-follow dance routines with high and low cardio and strength-based movements. Their vision is to create a healthier, more connected Brimbank community by providing affordable, inclusive, physical activity opportunities for people of all fitness levels, regardless of age.  

The program has been running in Brimbank for 10 years and focuses on having fun while improving overall health. Participants don’t need prior dance experience — just a willingness to move and enjoy the rhythm. Their mission is to embed exercise in one’s life as part of their everyday routine for longer and better quality of health whilst improving mood and stress regulation. 

Weekly classes on Wednesdays can be found at Monmia Primary School, Keilor Downs! 

ELS School Of Dance

ELS School of Dance has been at the heart of Brimbank for 11 years, where community meets dance. Our studio is more than just classes, it’s a place where toddlers, kids, teens, and adults explore creativity, build confidence, and make lasting connections. With programs like our Next Gen program, we’re shaping the future of dance, offering innovative, inclusive, and inspiring opportunities for the next generation of dancers and performers. At ELS, every step is a celebration of talent, friendship, and community spirit.

EZI Care & Co.

EZI Care & Co is guided by a belief that meaningful support extends beyond what is funded. Their team is committed to understanding each person’s unique circumstances, delivering practical, thoughtful support that makes a real difference.

By building strong community connections, they link individuals with informal supports, local businesses, and inclusive spaces that provide holistic benefits. Whether it’s accessing foodbank, creating opportunities for greater independence, or engaging with local Facebook groups, their approach remains flexible and person-centred.

Through creativity and a focus on available resources, EZI Care & Co delivers support that is genuine, sustainable, and empowering—helping people feel truly connected to their community.

Jodie Robinson

Jodie Robinson, a dedicated Brimbank community member, founded the Keilor Village Night Market in December 2021 following COVID-19 lockdowns. She aimed to reconnect the community while supporting local small businesses that had lost income. The market not only created new opportunities for traders but also encouraged community engagement. Jodie introduced a gold coin donation at each event, raising over $13,000 for various charities. After major bushfires in Victoria, she and her friend Lisa Mayoh organized community donations, assembling and delivering over 330 care packages to fire-affected residents and volunteers in Seymour and Longwood.

Khatera Barez

Khatera is a dedicated community leader supporting Afghan women and girls in Brimbank to connect, build confidence and develop leadership skills. After arriving from Afghanistan in 2021, she identified a gap in culturally tailored support and, in 2023, founded the Afghan Women’s Empowerment Association — the first of its kind in Melbourne’s west. Known for her warm and humble nature, Khatera brings her whole self to supporting her community and genuinely cares about helping others thrive. Working closely with emerging Afghan women leaders, she helps turn community ideas into initiatives. Together with the board she has helped lead activities for Afghan women including swimming lessons, driving programs, mental health programs and community events - connecting over 100 Afghan women across Brimbank. 

Kud Dukat Bosnian Folklore Inc

Kud Dukat has been enriching Melbourne’s cultural life since 2008. Founded by members of the Bosnian refugee community who made Brimbank their home, Dukat celebrates and preserves Bosnian cultural heritage through traditional dance, music, and costume.

With many members born and raised in Brimbank, the ensemble brings together children, youth, and adults to share their culture at multicultural festivals, community events, and civic celebrations across Brimbank and Melbourne. Through its performances and strong volunteer spirit, KUD Dukat proudly contributes to the vibrant multicultural identity of the local community.

Rushaniia Nikolaenko

Rushaniia’s journey highlights the impact one person can have in creating a supportive and inclusive community. After joining the Adult Migrant English Program at commUnity+ in 2023, she completed Certificates I, II and III in English as an Additional Language while settling into life in a new country. Wanting to give back, she began volunteering in the classroom to support other migrant and refugee students learning English. With her calm and encouraging nature, Rushaniia helps explain tasks in simple, accessible ways, building confidence and participation among her peers. Having experienced the challenges of starting over herself, she offers empathy and guidance that help create a welcoming learning environment and a stronger sense of belonging in the community.

Suada Sokolovic

Suada Sokolović does outstanding work at 3ZZZ every Monday and Wednesday, consistently delivering high-quality, engaging programs. She carefully curates each show, balancing Bosnian news, community updates, and meaningful discussions with well-chosen music that resonates with listeners. Her strong commitment to broadcasting guidelines ensures professionalism and reliability in every segment. Suada’s dedication to her audience is clear in the thoughtful structure and content of her programs. She is highly respected by colleagues and the community alike, and her work is regularly met with excellent feedback, reflecting her passion, consistency, and commitment to excellence in community broadcasting.

Vet Advisory Group

Ben Thakkar is a Vocational Education and Training sector leader with over 15 years’ experience in compliance, quality assurance and educational leadership, delivering strong outcomes for learners in Brimbank and, from Brimbank, all across Australia. As Chief Executive Officer of Vet Advisory Group and Stanford Institute of Technology, he has supported hundreds of Registered Training Organisations with high-quality learning and assessment resources, Language, Literacy and Numeracy support, and practical compliance guidance. Through this work, more than 700 students at Stanford Institute of Technology and lakhs of learners nationwide have gained industry-relevant skills that strengthen communities.

Auschin Group

Auschin Group is a Social Traders–certified social enterprise based in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Founded by Cung Hlei (Jacob) Thang, a refugee from Myanmar and member of the Chin community, the organisation employs over 20 staff delivering landscaping, grounds maintenance, and vegetation management services across public spaces, roadsides, and reserves.

Auschin Group stands out for its focus on both environmental care and social impact. It creates employment pathways for refugees, migrants, and people from diverse backgrounds who face barriers to work. Its sustainable practices—such as green waste management, weed control, and responsible herbicide use—demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting the environment while supporting community wellbeing.

Beyond Labels 

Beyond Labels is a Brimbank-based organisation empowering people with disabilities to lead inclusive environmental initiatives. Through its community-led program We Can Together, the organisation combines recycling action with social impact, reducing waste while building confidence, leadership and meaningful participation.

Brimbank Gardens for wildlife

Brimbank Council, volunteers and community members have come together to create a Brimbank Gardens for Wildlife program that encourages residents to grow plants that attract native wildlife such as birds, butterflies and frogs. A wildlife-friendly garden includes native plants and things such as rocks, ponds, and nest boxes, providing a safe and happy environment for local animals. Renters and property owners within Brimbank can apply for a free visit from passionate volunteers who will give tips to improve your garden for wildlife. By creating these habitats in their gardens, residents contribute meaningfully to the conservation of wildlife in our area. This program is volunteer-driven and is the first of its kind in the Western suburbs.

Friends of Organ Pipes National Park

Friends of the Organ Pipes National Park (FOOPs) is proud to be Australia's oldest Friends of a National Park group and has been dedicated to the care of the Organ Pipes Park since 1972.  The park is Melbourne's closest National Park, located just 40 minutes from the CBD. After European colonisation, much of the land within the park was used for farming, which devastated the natural environment.

Our Mission - At FOOPs, our purpose is to restore the land within the park as much as possible to its pre-European settlement condition.

Jessica Gerger

Jessica is a passionate environmentalist with a deep connection to nature. Over the last decade she has led, guided and inspired the Friends of Kororoit Creek, an active group of volunteers aiming to improve the health of Kororoit Creek and its surrounds in the City of Brimbank. Following early successes with revegetation projects, Jessica is driven to enhance the habitat corridor along Kororoit Creek and believes that connecting people with the natural environment is key to promoting mental health and well-being.

ELS School of Dance

ELS School of Dance has been at the heart of Brimbank for 11 years, where community meets dance. Our studio is more than just classes; it’s a place where toddlers, kids, teens, and adults explore creativity, build confidence, and make lasting connections. With programs like our Next Gen program, we’re shaping the future of dance, offering innovative, inclusive, and inspiring opportunities for the next generation of dancers and performers. At ELS, every step is a celebration of talent, friendship, and community spirit.

Marty Moran

Marty Moran is a passionate leader in the aquatics sector with a love of sport, health, fitness and family. His career focuses on the promotion of water safety through his work with the Royal Life Saving Society. In addition to this, he volunteers his time as an under-12 boys Representative Basketball Coach for Keilor Thunder, building strong, confident young athletes through his leadership and guidance. He fosters resilience, teamwork and positive values both on and off the court, creating a supportive environment where every child can develop and grow. His commitment to developing young players and strengthening community wellbeing makes him an inspiring role model.

Sunshine United Cricket Club (Girls Program)

The Sunshine United Cricket Club is a proud, all-inclusive community club with a long, successful history. Formally becoming a club and joining the Sunshine Cricket Association in 1948, it continues to be a hub for community engagement in Brimbank. In 2024 it officially launched its first-ever dedicated girls' cricket program. The true impact of the girls' cricket initiative extends far beyond the field; it has sparked a profound cultural shift within the entire Sunshine United Cricket Club community, sending a powerful message about gender equity and inclusivity.

Westside Gymnastics

Westside Gymnastics is a community-focused gymnastics club dedicated to making the sport accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities. Based in Albion, the club offers a wide range of recreational programs designed to build confidence, coordination and a love for movement in a supportive environment. Westside Gymnastics is committed to delivering high-quality coaching, fostering positive experiences and creating a space where every child can feel valued and capable. Through engaging classes, community partnerships and a strong emphasis on participation and wellbeing, Westside Gymnastics is helping to grow a healthier, more active Brimbank community.

Australian Vietnamese Arts & Culture (AVAC)

Australian Vietnamese Arts & Culture is a community‑led collective dedicated to celebrating the richness and resilience of Vietnamese heritage in Australia. Since its beginnings, we have showcased the beauty of Vietnamese traditions through music, dance, costume, and storytelling. Through festivals, cultural showcases, workshops, and collaborative projects, AVAC creates spaces where Vietnamese identity can be expressed with pride and where the wider Australian community can experience the depth of our culture.

Beyond Disability Services 

Beyond Disability Services is a dedicated disability support organisation serving the Brimbank community, founded on lived experience and a genuine understanding of the sector’s challenges. Committed to compassion, respect, and empowerment, Beyond delivers tailored, person-centred support that enhances independence and strengthens community connection. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, Beyond Disability Services helps individuals and families across Brimbank feel confident, valued, and empowered.

DanceIt Fitness 

DanceIt Fitness is a high-energy group fitness concept that blends easy-to-follow dance routines with high and low cardio and strength-based movements. Their vision is to create a healthier, more connected Brimbank community by providing affordable, inclusive, physical activity opportunities for people of all fitness levels, regardless of age.  

The program has been running in Brimbank for 10 years and focuses on having fun while improving overall health. Participants don’t need prior dance experience — just a willingness to move and enjoy the rhythm. Our mission is to embed exercise in one’s life as part of their everyday routine for longer and better quality of health whilst improving mood and stress regulation. 

Weekly classes on Wednesdays can be found at Monmia Primary School, Keilor Downs! 

Eagles Folk Dance 

Eagles Folk Dance is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation devoted to preserving and celebrating Albanian culture, tradition, and identity through dance and music. Bringing together over 100 dancers of all ages, the group proudly keeps generations connected to their roots while sharing the beauty of Albanian heritage with the wider community. Through every performance, Eagles Folk Dance honours tradition, strengthens cultural pride, and ensures these customs continue to live on for future generations.

Filipino Community Council of Victoria Inc

The Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. is a dynamic community organisation and ethno-specific aged care provider, proudly serving the Filipino Australian community and the wider multicultural society in Victoria. Since its founding in 1988 as a refuge for Filipino migrants, the organisation has grown from a social support group into a multifaceted association addressing the real challenges faced by the community. From combating social isolation and supporting seniors through aged care services, to running regional outreach programs, community pantries, Aboriginal cultural awareness trainings, and international student mentorship, they are committed to empowering multicultural communities across generations. Through passionate advocacy and community-led programs, it continues to champion inclusion, opportunity, and wellbeing for all.

The IPC Health Volunteers

The IPC Health Volunteers Team plays a vital role in supporting community health and wellbeing across Melbourne’s west. With volunteers at the heart of community connection, the team creates inclusive, meaningful opportunities that support health services, reduce isolation, promote wellbeing and enhance outcomes for clients, families, and staff.

Self Awareness, Motivation and Management

SAMMs innovative framework transforms lives and systems through evidence-based allied health programs and professional development, guided by the principle of “stability before capacity”. 

With over 15 years of experience, SAMMs specialises in supporting individuals with complex needs to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable employment and meaningful community integration. Their programs, including the SAMMs Toolbox, addressing challenges such as mental health issues, substance use disorders, family violence, and criminal justice involvement.

Through a combination of clinical expertise, lived experience, and compassionate care, they empower participants to achieve their goals while partnering with employment services and communities to deliver tailored, person-centred support that drives lasting change.

St Albans Community Youth Club Inc

St Albans Community Youth Club Inc (The Tin Shed) is a vibrant community organisation delivering inclusive programs that support people of all ages across Brimbank. Through community initiatives and vital food relief services, the Centre provides much-needed support to individuals and families experiencing hardship. By creating welcoming spaces for connection and care, the Centre helps strengthen community wellbeing and belonging and social connection.

Derrick Nguyen

By the age of 21, Derrick Nguyen has already dedicated over a decade to community service, leading youth-driven initiatives that raise substantial funds and engage hundreds of participants annually in Brimbank, as well as thousands internationally. As both President of a registered Brimbank-based charity organisation and an active member of the Lions Club of Sunshine, his leadership across two organisations reinforces the depth of his commitment to community service and his ability to contribute meaningfully across multiple platforms. Derrick is passionate about mobilising young volunteers, supporting vulnerable communities, and empowering the next generation through mentorship and meaningful engagement. His work reflects a lasting impact in community leadership, as he not only delivers tangible outcomes but also inspires and uplifts others his age to contribute and lead.

Milena Knight

Milena is a passionate and community-driven young professional dedicated to creating positive social impact. Currently working as a Senior Project Officer with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, she contributes to initiatives that support vulnerable communities and promote safer, more inclusive environments. She has also worked at Natalie Hutchins’ electorate office, strengthening her commitment to public service and community engagement. With experience at Respect Victoria and a strong interest in policy and research, Milena is driven to create meaningful, systemic change. Her mission is to empower others and help build a more equitable future for all.

Todd Truong

Todd Truong is a passionate and zealous law and science student who avidly advocates for environmental policy, climate justice, and youth representation. Holding multiple diverse roles in leadership and ambassadorship across charities and various organisations, he is driven by opportunities to amplify under-represented voices and communities, and extends this motivation to societal reform, climate change education, and the wide-spread promotion of sustainability and practice. Todd wants to work in the legal sector and eventually become one of the first Vietnamese Australian justices in the courts. His experiences emphasise his true eagerness to make the world a better place in intersecting and overlapping ways.

Devika Chaudhary

Driven by service and a belief in the power of education and justice, Devika Chaudhary is both an educator and a lawyer committed to uplifting the Brimbank community. As a Mathematics and Physics teacher, STEM mentor and active volunteer, she works tirelessly to empower women and multicultural youth to pursue bold futures. Her mission is to inspire leadership, opportunity and lasting change.

Dusko Bunijevac

Dusko Bunijevac is a respected member of the Brimbank community whose dedication to service extends both professionally and personally. Through his role at Victoria Police, along with community engagement efforts, he consistently demonstrates leadership, reliability, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Dusko’s contribution strengthens community connection, safety, and trust.

Jacob Thang 

Jacob Thang (Cung Hlei Thang) is the founder of Chin Myanmar Community Care (CMCC), the Auschin Foundation, and Auschin Group, a Social Traders–certified social enterprise delivering landscaping and grounds maintenance across Melbourne.

A refugee from Myanmar, Jacob has spent over a decade advancing opportunities for refugee and migrant communities in Victoria. Through CMCC, he supports culturally safe employment pathways, family services, and advocacy—particularly for older Chin women facing workforce barriers.

Through Auschin Group, he has created jobs for more than 20 people from diverse backgrounds and secured major contracts worth $2–3 million annually. A quiet yet determined leader, Jacob Thang is widely respected for his integrity, vision, and sustained impact, with his work speaking powerfully to his commitment to community empowerment and inclusive economic participation.

Maryaan Essa 

Maryaan Essa is a passionate community leader and health educator dedicated to empowering women, youth, and diverse communities. After arriving in Australia as a refugee, she has turned her lived experience into a force for positive change, supporting others and fostering inclusion.

With a Bachelor of Medicine from her home country, Maryaan delivers accessible health education and promotes wellbeing. She creates safe, inclusive spaces where community members feel informed, supported, and confident to engage and improve their health.

She is especially committed to empowering women and girls, building leadership, confidence, and participation. Through strong partnerships with residents and organisations, she strengthens connections, amplifies diverse voices, and fosters belonging.

Maryaan’s work continues to make a lasting impact, building healthier, more empowered, and connected communities.

Suada Sokolovic

Suada Sokolović does outstanding work hosting her radio program at 3ZZZ every Monday and Wednesday, consistently delivering high-quality, engaging programming. She carefully curates each show, balancing Bosnian news, community updates, and meaningful discussions with well-chosen music that resonates with listeners. Her strong commitment to broadcasting guidelines ensures professionalism and reliability in every segment. Suada’s dedication to her audience is clear in the thoughtful structure and content of her programs. She is highly respected by colleagues and the community alike, and her work is regularly met with excellent feedback, reflecting her passion, consistency, and commitment to excellence in community broadcasting.