Multicultural Communities Reception - August 2026

TMC was proud to attend the 2026 Celebrating Multicultural Communities Reception, an evening dedicated to recognising the people, organisations and communities that make our region so diverse and vibrant.

Events like this one are a reminder that a strong community is never built by one group alone. It is built through the everyday work of people who show up: volunteers, community leaders, cultu

ral groups, service providers and neighbours who make newcomers feel welcome. The reception brought many of those people together in one room, and the energy on the night said a great deal about where our region is heading.

Pictured is Jake Coates, CAMS (Community Action for a Multicultural Society) Officer for the North, with the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable David Crisafulli MP, and the Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP. SQW Program Coordinator Noor Abdul-Jabbar was also in attendance and pictured below.

Familiar faces and new connections

One of the real joys of the evening was seeing so many familiar faces. There were partners we have worked alongside for years, community leaders whose advocacy helps shape local decision making, and organisations doing quiet, consistent work that often goes unrecognised.

The new introductions were just as valuable. Conversations with people we had not met before, all of them sharing a commitment to a more inclusive and connected community, are exactly the kind of moment that turns into future collaboration. Some of the best partnerships begin with a short conversation at an event like this.

Why celebration matters

It can be easy to treat multicultural celebration as symbolic, but in our experience it is deeply practical. Recognising the contribution of diverse communities builds the trust and visibility that make genuine inclusion possible. When people feel seen, they participate. When they participate, services improve, decisions get better, and the whole region benefits.

The reception was a celebration, and it was also a working room. Ideas were shared, needs were raised, and relationships were strengthened.

Thank you

Our thanks go to the organisers for bringing everyone together, and to every community group and individual who contributes to the richness of our region throughout the year, not only on the nights we gather to celebrate it.

We left the evening energised and looking forward to continuing this work alongside our partners and communities. If you would like to connect with TMC about community engagement or partnership opportunities, we would love to hear from you!