Table of Contents
With Australia Day just around the corner, the Hawkesbury community is set to welcome Kumud Merani as its Australia Day Ambassador, marking her 14th year in the role and her first official representation to the Hawkesbury region.
A trailblazing media professional, actor and multicultural advocate, Ms Merani said representing Hawkesbury held special meaning for her, describing the region as one of Sydney’s most historically significant and culturally rich local government areas.
“I’m a self-admitted history buff,” she said. “Hawkesbury is one of the largest and most historic local government areas of Sydney. Towns like Windsor and Richmond, with their beautifully maintained colonial buildings, and of course the magnificent Hawkesbury River, make this place incredibly special.”
Ms Merani also paid respect to the Dharug and Darkinjung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land, acknowledging their enduring connection to the region for thousands of years.
Having lived in Australia for more than 41 years, Ms Merani reflected on her own migration journey from India, arriving with her husband and two young children before becoming an Australian citizen 40 years ago. She said her connection to Hawkesbury had grown over time through family visits and community experiences.
“My family and I used to come to Hawkesbury to picnic, to visit Windsor, McQuade Park and the waterfront,” she said. “I can’t imagine now being Australia Day Ambassador to Hawkesbury when it’s a place I’ve loved visiting for so many years.”
Ms Merani said her role as Australia Day Ambassador was about celebrating everyday Australians who make a difference in their communities.
“As an ambassador, my role is to celebrate people who are constantly giving their time, their energy and their compassion to improve the lives of others,” she said. “It’s an honour to meet mayors, councillors and members of parliament, but it’s just as meaningful to meet everyday people and hear their stories, their achievements, their challenges and their dreams.”
With a distinguished media career spanning more than three decades, Ms Merani is widely recognised as a pioneer in multicultural broadcasting. She was one of India’s first television news presenters and later became the first Asian woman to present World News on SBS Television. She also spent 35 years as Executive Producer of SBS Hindi Radio, creating programs that connected migrant communities and amplified diverse voices.
“Storytelling has always been my passion,” she said. “Each community, each culture adds a page to Australia’s history. When we share those stories, we bind ourselves together.”
Ms Merani described Australia as a nation built on migration, where multiculturalism has enriched society through shared ideas, traditions and values.
“Multiculturalism in Australia has been a success story,” she said. “But it’s also important that we build a common bond, follow the laws of the land, and look after one another. That’s how unity is created.”
Her award-winning work includes internationally recognised radio documentaries exploring identity, migration and heritage, earning multiple NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards, an Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Award, and the title of Journalist of the Year in 2014.
Beyond journalism, Ms Merani has also made her mark in the arts, appearing in the Logie-nominated television series Five Bedrooms and theatre productions such as The Village. She has produced numerous Indian cultural shows in Sydney and hosted more than 100 multicultural events across Australia.
Looking ahead to Australia Day, Ms Merani said she hoped the occasion would inspire reflection, pride and connection, particularly for new citizens.
“I see myself as a connector between new citizens and the wider community,” she said. “Australia Day is about welcoming people, encouraging them to contribute, and reminding us of the shared values that make this country so special.”
