Community
18 October, 2026
Multicultural visionary earns nomination
WARRNAMBOOL’S Daisy Ye continues to shine bright for the district’s multicultural community.
Daisy has been named a finalist in the 2026 Regional Development Victoria Leadership and Innovation Award.
The award recognises individuals who demonstrate tenacity, dedication, selflessness, leadership and innovative thinking, and who are driving positive change in their communities.
It celebrates community role models who turn challenges into opportunities, strengthen their communities and pave the way for others through leadership and innovation.
For Daisy, the recognition reflects the collective work of community organisations, volunteers, supporters and partners who have worked alongside her to create greater opportunities for participation, connection, leadership and employment across Warrnambool and South West Victoria.
Since co-founding the Warrnambool Multicultural Association (WMA) in 2022, Daisy has helped establish and deliver more than 65 intercultural programs, events and partnerships, including the annual Warrnambool Multicultural Festival, which brings together more than 4,000 people and 45 cultures.
Her work has also included initiating the inaugural Belonging South West Multicultural Forum, supporting Warrnambool’s sister-city relationships with China and Japan, and leading the regional delivery of Deakin CREATE’s Career Clinic, connecting skilled migrant and refugee professionals with mentors, employment pathways and local opportunities.
Daisy said the nomination was a recognition of what can be achieved when people, organisations and communities work together.
“For me, this recognition is about way more than one person,” she said.
“It is an opportunity to recognise the contribution that multicultural communities, community leaders, volunteers and partners are making to the development of regional Victoria.
“Regional development is about people and partnerships. It is about creating opportunities for people to participate, contribute their skills, build connections and play an active role in the future of the communities where they live.”
She said she was incredibly grateful to the many people and organisations who have supported this work and shared the belief that Warrnambool and south west Victoria can be stronger when everyone has opportunities to contribute.
The award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Melbourne this Saturday, October 17.
