Ethnic Council

The Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District was pleased to attend the launch of
the Talent Stimulation in Electronic Programming (TALSEP) Program.
It was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Greater Shepparton City
Council and their First 72 Hours Program in supporting this initiative, which will
provide young people with hands-on learning opportunities in electronics,
programming, and technology.
We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on young
people in our community.

Our CEO, Board Chair, and a case manager from the SETS program were honoured to attend the
Refugee Communities Association of Australia’s historic Second National Conference held on 25–26
March 2026 in Adelaide, South Australia.
Under the theme “Empowering Refugees and Multicultural Communities Together,” the two-day
conference brought together people from across Australia to share knowledge, celebrate
achievements, and strengthen refugee leadership.
This landmark event recognised the significant contributions refugees make across all areas of
Australian life and provided an important platform for voices with lived experience to be heard.
We are also proud to share that The Ethnic Council was a sponsor of the event, supporting this
important national gathering and its focus on inclusion and empowerment.
We are especially proud that our CEO, Sam Atukorala, contributed as a panellist in the moderated
conversation:
“Unlocking potential: strengthening refugee economic participation through inclusive employment
pathways and skills recognition.”
We were proud to be part of this inspiring gathering and look forward to continuing the work of
building stronger, more inclusive communities together.

The Ethnic Council team is pleased to be part of sessions like these at GOTAFE
Shepparton as they play an important role in empowering and inspiring people,
creating opportunities to share knowledge, build connections, and support one another

We were pleased to be invited to be part of the panel at the Think Multiculture
event, Belonging and the Future of Our Region, held at SAM.
The event brought together thought-provoking panel discussions and meaningful
conversations, with shared experiences and aspirations highlighting the importance
of belonging and our region’s multicultural future.

We are incredibly proud to congratulate Sam Atukorala, CEO of the Ethnic
Council, on being awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
This prestigious honour recognises Sam’s outstanding service and longstanding
commitment to multicultural communities, advocacy, and inclusive
leadership. His dedication has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the
lives of many, strengthening community connections and amplifying diverse
voices across our region.
On behalf of the Ethnic Council, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and
sincere appreciation for your leadership, vision, and tireless service. This
recognition is truly well deserved.

December 16 2025

On Wednesday evening, 10 December, the Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District board members were honoured to attend and support an inspiring gathering hosted by The Door Bells: Migrant Women’s Network

With close to 60 people from migrant and broader community circles in the room, the event was a clear success. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, filled with energy, meaningful conversations, and a shared commitment to celebrating migrant women and the doors they continue to open, often against the odds.

The evening highlighted the importance of connection and belonging. Women came together to share experiences, build new relationships, and connect with others who truly understood their journeys.

We commend The Door Bells: Migrant Women’s Network for creating such an empowering space and look forward to continuing to support and participate in initiatives that uplift, strengthen, and celebrate migrant women in our community.

December 12 2025

Leigh Johnson, Multicultural Liaison officer for the Greater Shepparton Police area was recently awarded the Police Annual Multicultural award at Government House by the Governor of Victoria Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC and the Chief Commissioner of Police, Mike Bush CNZM.

Leigh was humbled to receive the award and attributes the award to the community support and his colleagues. Leigh was honoured to meet the Chief who is also of Maori descent. Leigh enjoys working with our wonderful Multicultural communities in a variety of positive ways.

December 11 2025

Her visit provided a wonderful opportunity to share the work we do in supporting multicultural communities, discuss ongoing projects, and explore future collaborations. We appreciate her time, leadership, and commitment to strengthening community connections across our region.

Thank you, Cr Kaur, for taking the time to visit us while visiting Shepparton.

Goulburn Valley Volleyball Association Inc are excited to share that early bird registrations for Shepp Revival 2026 are officially live!

Grab your team and lock in the discounted entry rate available only for a limited time. Join in for an incredible weekend of volleyball at Shepparton Sports Stadium.

This year is extra special: volleyball will be played on the show courts for the first time ever in a full whole-stadium volleyball takeover!

Whether you’re returning or joining in for the first time, GVVA Inc can’t wait to welcome you to an epic weekend of competition, energy, and community.

Tag your teammates

Share with your club

Get registered early!

Let’s make Shepp Revival 2026 the biggest one yet!

November 25 2025

The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is proud to support the Safety and Connection for Multicultural Women session.

Date: Tuesday, 2 December

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Location: University of Melbourne – Shepparton Campus, Conference Rooms

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign running from 25 November to 10 December, calling for an end to violence against women and promoting human rights for all.

This session is a wonderful opportunity for multicultural women to connect, learn practical safety strategies, and build supportive networks.