January 2016 marked a landmark moment for Somali Community Inc. Victoria (SCI) and the broader Somali-Australian community, as Chairman Mr Farah Warsame was honoured with the prestigious Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions Award 2016. The award stands as one of Victoria's highest forms of recognition for outstanding voluntary service, and its conferral upon Mr Warsame reflects a lifetime of tireless dedication to community building.
About the Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions Awards
The Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions Awards celebrate extraordinary Victorians who give their time, skills, and passion to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Administered under the authority of the Premier of Victoria, the awards shine a light on volunteers whose efforts — often unseen — strengthen the social fabric of the state. Recipients are selected for demonstrating exceptional leadership, longevity of service, and measurable impact on the lives of those around them.
Mr Farah Warsame: Over 25 Years of Community Leadership
Mr Warsame's voluntary contribution spans more than 25 years of service to the Somali community and the wider Victorian community. As Chairman of Somali Community Inc. Victoria, he has played a central role in advocating for the needs of Somali-Australians, fostering social cohesion, and building bridges between newly arrived communities and mainstream Victorian society.
His leadership has helped SCI grow into a trusted organisation that provides settlement support, cultural programs, and advocacy services for thousands of community members across Victoria. Beyond the organisation itself, Mr Warsame has consistently engaged with government agencies, local councils, and multicultural bodies to ensure the Somali community's voice is heard at every level of civic life.
Mr Warsame's award is a testament to what sustained, selfless community leadership can achieve — and an inspiration for the next generation of volunteers within the Somali-Australian community.
A Proud Moment for SCI and the Somali-Australian Community
For Somali Community Inc. Victoria, this recognition carries deep significance. It validates the collective efforts of an entire community that has worked hard to establish itself, contribute positively, and earn the respect of fellow Victorians. The award reflects not only on Mr Warsame personally, but on every member, volunteer, and supporter who has been part of SCI's journey.
— Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions AwardsOutstanding volunteers give their time, skills and passion to make a difference — and in doing so, they make Victoria a stronger, more compassionate place for all.
Somali Community Inc. Victoria congratulates Mr Farah Warsame on this well-deserved honour. His decades of service remind us that volunteer leadership, sustained with integrity and compassion over many years, has the power to transform communities and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.