HSHussam Sarafحسام الصراف
HSHussam Sarafحسام الصراف
Community & Leadership · September 2025

Ethnic Council: 40th Anniversary Dinner

حفل الذكرى الأربعين للمجلس الإثني في شيبارتون والمنطقة

In September 2025, I attended the 40th Anniversary Dinner of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District at the Woolshed, Emerald Bank. It was an opportunity to celebrate four decades of work building belonging, inclusion and empowerment for multicultural communities across the Goulburn region.

28 photographs · Select a photograph to view its original image.

Explore the photographs ↓Read my original Facebook post ↗

Belonging, inclusion and shared purpose.

The evening brought together elders, newcomers, young leaders, community advocates and long-serving contributors. For me, those conversations were a reminder of the strength of cultural diversity and the lasting connections we build through respect, collaboration and a shared commitment to community.

The occasion

أجواء المناسبة

A projected slide reading 40th Anniversary Dinner with the Ethnic Council logo.
The evening’s anniversary presentation
The Ethnic Council anniversary event board on an easel.
Forty years of community service
The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District anniversary backdrop.
Honouring 40 years of service
Guests seated at round tables beneath the venue’s timber beams.
The anniversary dinner gathering
A wide view of the dining room with guests seated at round tables.
Inside the anniversary dinner

People & connections

اللقاءات والصور الجماعية

A group of guests in front of the Ethnic Council’s 40 years of service backdrop.
Coming together to celebrate
Guests standing together beside the anniversary backdrop.
Celebrating shared connections
A group photograph in front of the anniversary backdrop.
A shared celebration
Five guests posing together, with two holding framed certificates.
Celebrating service and dedication
Five guests in front of the anniversary backdrop, including two holding certificates.
Recognising long-standing service
A wider view of a group gathering for a photograph at the anniversary backdrop.
Gathering for a group photograph
Guests posing for a photograph while another attendee takes their picture.
Capturing memories of the evening
Three guests posing beside an Ethnic Council banner at the anniversary dinner.
A shared moment at the celebration
Three guests posing in front of the anniversary backdrop.
Meeting fellow community members
Three guests standing together in front of the anniversary backdrop.
Connections across the community
Two guests standing beside an Ethnic Council banner.
Meeting at the anniversary dinner
Two guests posing together beside an Ethnic Council banner.
Celebrating community connections
Two guests posing in front of the anniversary backdrop.
A photograph to remember the evening
Three guests posing together in front of the anniversary backdrop.
An evening of connection
Two guests seated together in the dinner venue.
Conversations around the table
Three guests seated together at a dinner table.
Community connections
Two guests seated together at a dinner table.
Catching up during the evening
Two guests smiling at a dinner table.
A conversation over dinner

Portraits & keepsakes

صور الذكرى والتذكارات

A guest in a beige jacket standing in front of the anniversary backdrop.
A moment from the anniversary evening
A guest posing in front of the Ethnic Council anniversary backdrop.
Remembering the occasion
A guest in a beige jacket standing by the anniversary backdrop.
A portrait from the evening
A guest standing before the Ethnic Council anniversary backdrop.
At the 40th anniversary celebration
An event name card reading Hussam Saraf beside commemorative keepsakes.
A keepsake from the celebration
Service recognised at the 2025 celebration

Honouring the people behind the work.

The evening recognised the contribution of people who have helped sustain the Ethnic Council’s work over many years.

Life Membership Awards

  • Tony Minutoli, former President (2005–2006) and a board member since 2002.
  • Attilio Borzillo, former President (2008–2011) and board member from 2003 to 2024.
  • Linda Casalini, a board member since 2012.

Staff Service Awards

Andrew Murley, Abdulah Naveed, Khaluf Alsalim and Rhonda Ramadan were recognised for their service.

My thanks to CEO Sam Atukorala, President Maria Brown-Shepherd, and the Board and team for bringing the community together for this milestone. I was proud to join the celebration and recognise the people whose service has helped strengthen connection and inclusion across our region.

Event reflections and recognition details from Hussam’s Facebook post, shared on 27 September 2025 ↗.

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