Sri Lankan-Victorian Azmeena Hussain awarded OAM in Australia

Ms. Azmeena Hussain, a Sri Lankan-Victorian Muslim domiciled in Australia was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for her service to the Community and Multicultural Affairs and to the law of Victoria, on January 26 to mark Australia Day.

Born in the South East suburbs of Melbourne, she says that her ambition from a very young age was to be a lawyer.

‘It was the only career I have ever considered. Access to justice for all is my passion in life and everything I do is driven by this”, she enthused.

“I love our Victorian-Muslim community because we are committed towards making a difference in the world we live in. I love Victoria because of the generosity of ordinary Victorians, and the passion to advance social justice is incredible and inspiring. No individual should walk this earth without a platform to be heard and an ability to contribute to society; this is a basic human right that unfortunately, not all of us have in this current day and age”, Ms. Hussain continued.

She said that fighting for this is probably the easiest reason to get out of bed and come to work each day. “I have hope because of the incredible individuals I work with, whether in my career or in my community”.

“When we speak to one another, we see that we all want the same things – happiness, security and a sense of belonging. This sense of togetherness drives me to want to bring the best out in others and myself”, she added.

Ms. Hussain serves as Chairperson & Director, Islamic Museum of Australia, since 2016. She is the Deputy Chair, InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, 2012-2020, former Director and Trustee, Victorian Women’s Trust, Advisor, Youth Activating Youth, since 2018, former Vice President, Office for Women at the Islamic Council of Victoria and former Executive Advisor, Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2005-2010.

She also worked as former Director, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, 2013. Law, Principal, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, since 2010, former Human Rights Advisor, Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner’s Strategic Advisory, former Taskforce Advisor to the Victorian Minister for Crime Prevention. Sport, Non-Executive Director, Football Victoria, since 2019, former AFL Multicultural Ambassador & Multicultural Advisor and former Advisor, The Huddle, North Melbourne Football Club.