Oz Arab Media hosted its second annual gala dinner on May 17, 2024, at the prestigious Doltone House in Bossley Park, marking another milestone in the organization’s journey. The event, attended by nearly 600 guests, celebrated community achievements and honored excellence in various sectors through the AIM Business Awards.
The evening began with a warm welcome accompanied by music from Alive 90.5 and delightful canapés, setting a sophisticated tone for the night. Moreover a 360 photobooth provided by ONE360 was at the guests’s disposal to create some beautiful moments.
Jeff Hindmarsh, the MC for the evening, took the stage, acknowledging the esteemed guests and dignitaries in attendance. Uncle John Dickson provided a heartfelt Welcome to Country, followed by Monique Helene’s rendition of the Australian National Anthem. Opening remarks highlighted the significance of the AIM Business Awards and introduced the distinguished panel of judges, including Carol Ferrone, Immanuel Selvaraj, Julia Lattouf, Mohamed Hage, Laura Viskovich, Samiul Karim, Sophia Sarkis, and Nissy Mattar. Additionally, the Lions Club of Canterbury Bankstown actively fundraised for the Shepherd of Egypt, demonstrating their commitment to supporting charitable causes.
A promotional video showcased Oz Arab Media’s impactful work, followed by a speech from Remy Wehbe, a retired Lebanese Army Major and General Manager of Oz Arab Media. The event recognized the generous contributions of platinum sponsors such as Little Scribblers Early Learning Centre, The Doltone House, RJS Aluminium, and Aldawli Printing Australia.
Notable speeches were delivered by The Hon. Tony Burke, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for the Arts, and Leader of the House, represented the Prime Minister, The Hon. Anthony Albanese; The Hon. Mark Speakman, Leader of the Opposition in NSW; and The Hon. Jihad Dib, Minister for Customer Services and Digital Government, Emergency Services, and Youth Justice. This is in addition to the speeches of Christine Nassif, President of the Lions Club of Canterbury Bankstown and Charbel Tadros, president of the AIM Association.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the AIM Business Awards supported by Multicultural NSW and Bankstown RSL among others. The Justice Support Centre received the award for the Non-Profit category, presented by Nissy Mattar and Samiul Karim. Kids United OSHC was honored in the Business category, with Julia Lattouf and Mohamed Hage making the announcement. Jad Al Masri, a standout entrepreneur, won the Entrepreneur category, presented by Carol Ferrone and Laura Viskovich. Moreover, Mohamed Hage OAM was presented with the first ever AIM Hero Award for his contributions to multiculturalism in Australia and the world. His award was presented by Sophia Sarkis and Immanuel Selvaraj.
In addition to the awards, the event featured a live auction conducted by John Moussa, a video about the Shepherd of Egypt, and a musical interlude by Monique Helene. The evening concluded with a raffle draw, and a lucky door prize generously provided by the Lebanese Film Festival.
The Oz Arab Media’s second annual gala dinner was a resounding success, reflecting the organization’s commitment to recognizing and fostering excellence within the community.
