A Cairns Bhutanese recognised with award

Cairns Regional Council has awarded a Bhutanese for his service at a special ceremony held on Wednesday as part of the Cairns Cultural Diversity Week official opening festivities.

The inaugural Cultural Diversity Week Awards recognise work and volunteering efforts that have promoted multiculturalism and increased community awareness of the benefits of cultural diversity.

Prahlad Dahal, who was presented with the Outstanding Volunteer/Individual Award, was born in Bhutan and spent 19 years in a Nepalese refugee camp before relocating to Cairns with his family in 2010, a media release issued by the council reads.

Council’s Mayor Bob Manning said Mr Dahal had worked tirelessly to actively promote multiculturalism and strengthen community harmony since his arrival in Cairns and was a deserving winner of the individual award.

“Since arriving in Australia, Mr Dahal has been part of the organising committee for the Tropical Wave Festival, Peace Week celebrations, Harmony Day, International Refugee Day and the Cairns Bhutanese Day,” Cr Manning said.

He has also taken on a leadership role in his position as volunteer Treasurer of the Cairns and Region Multicultural Association, which he has held since 2011 and has been actively involved in organising various multicultural events in Cairns.

Besides community works, Dahal managed to graduate from James Cook University with a Master of Social Work in 2013.

“I commend Mr Dahal’s efforts as a hard-working volunteer and respected member of not only the local Bhutanese community, but the Cairns community at large,” Cr Manning said.