Ethnic, religious and community leaders gathered at the Le Montage Function Centre in Lilyfield in Sydney a few days ago to celebrate the achievements of Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO, the retiring Chairperson of the NSW Community Relations Commission. The special guests on the evening were the NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello and Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, representing the Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Stepan Kerkasharian, of Armenian descent, was born in Cyprus and arrived in Australia in 1967 via England. His contribution to multiculturalism in this country span over a period of more than 30 years.
He was associated with the Armenian community firstly in Melbourne where he taught in their community language school. Then in radio through SBS where he was a key player in helping to establish SBS television.
In 1989 he was appointed to the Chair of the Ethnic Affairs Commission which evolved into the Community Relations Commission (CRC). Stepan Kerkasharian served seven state premiers and numerous ministers over the years.
The Community Relations Commission under his leadership took a leading and proactive role to ensure that racism has no place in today’s multicultural society in NSW and in Australia. Importantly, he helped enshrine in law the principles of multiculturalism. He, along with his fellow commissioners, assisted communities with the grants program administered through the CRC. He also established an inter-faith dialogue amongst the various religious organisations in NSW.