A night of celebration and well-deserved praise took place on December 2, 2015, at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre in Canberra, where the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) gathered to thank supporters, present the outcome of their work and commit to further pursue the goals and principles of the organisation in the years to come.

Representatives from all parts of the broader community – notably the government and community organisations – came to celebrate NEDA’S 20th birthday, showing their support for the work done all these years to assist and empower people with disability from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The celebration included the award ceremony for the inaugural NEDA Medal to six recipients, all of whom are champions for culturally and linguistically diverse and non-English speaking background people with disability.

Professor Emeritus and NEDA Patron Professor Ron McCallum and Professor Mary Crock were the first to receive the NEDA medal in recognition of their ongoing support of the alliance.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia Chair, Mr Joe Caputo (OAM JP), also received an award for being a strong advocate for multiculturalism in Australia and for his leadership in driving FECCA’s CALD/NESB Disability Sub-committee.

Mr Nic Manikis and Dr Dinesh Wadiwel were also recipients of the NEDA medal in recognition of their long history and commitment to promoting human rights for all Australians.

The final 2015 award went to NEDA’s project officer and data expert Mr Brian Cooper, recognising his commitment to CALD and NESB people who live with disability, acknowledging his dedication to securing better outcomes for the alliance’s constituents.