Federal Member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten today congratulated local youth worker Ahmed Dini who was among 40 People of Australia Ambassadors announced by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard.



The 40 local champions were independently selected as the new People of Australia Ambassadors following hundreds of nominations from the public.

Mr Dini was recognised for his outstanding work in our community, helping to build bridges of understanding and encourage participation.

“Mr Dini has been recognised because of the real impact he is having on people’s lives in our community,” Mr Shorten said.

“Despite his young age, Mr Dini is a prominent leader in Australia’s Somali community and is playing a crucial role in supporting migrant families and advocating for his community.

“Good work deserves to be championed and I am pleased that Ahmed Dini has been recognised on a national level.”

The Ambassador program is a key initiative of the Gillard Labor Government's multicultural policy, The People of Australia, announced last year.

Mr Shorten said he was pleased Mr Dini now had a new platform to promote his good work and share his ideas and initiatives with the rest of Australia.

As a new Ambassador, Mr Dini will be able to provide advice to Government and the Australian Multicultural Council. His contribution will help assist and strengthen the Government’s multicultural policy.

Mr Shorten said the selection of a local identity speaks to the strength of our community and our capacity as a nation to welcome people and make them feel part of our community.

The 2012 Ambassadors’ term commences today and ends on 30 December 2012.

Media Contact: Kieran Barns-Jenkins (03) 9326 1300

Biography of Ahmed Dini:

Mr Dini arrived in Australia from Somalia in 1996. He was among the young leaders who formed the Australian Somali Football Association in 2010. He is also very involved in the Sustainable Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Project across the Western Region of Melbourne and was chair of the community-based youth network Socially Active Youth Group Organisation (Saygo) to take unemployment and education issues faced by his community. Mr Dini works as a community youth worker helping young kids build successful lives. His contribution to the community has been recognised and he is currently a finalist for the 2012 Local Hero of the Year Award. Mr Dini was named the Moonee Valley Youth Citizen of the Year in 2006, nominated as Youth Muslim of the Year in 2007 and awarded the Victoria Police Community Participation Award in 2008.