Award for enterprising ex-VMC

Ex Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Usha Sharma received the Diverse Women Driving Melbourne award at the Queen Victoria Women Centre in July. Her name will be engraved in the Shilling Wall, an emerging Melbourne landmark acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of women in shaping the world we live in. She was nominated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust. The Chairman of VMC, George Lekakis, presented the Shining Wall certificate to Usha and a number of other distinguished women of the community.

Originally from Fiji, Usha lived in India for 12 to13 years before migrating to Australia in 1982, with her two children and late husband. Over the years she has been involved with a variety of roles. Besides being a home maker and mother, she has worked as a businesswoman operating her own business in light fittings. She currently hosts a radio show one day a week. She worked as a VMC (Victorian Multicultural Commission) Commissioner until last year, and currently works as a coordinator in the disability sector, while completing Certificate 4 in disability. Socially, Usha has been instrumental in organizing various cultural events within the community and her list of achievements matches her enthusiasm for life.

“I love life and if I can do something I am always willing to give it a shot. I am grateful that life has offered me so many opportunities and I have gained from every one of them,” she said when asked how she managed multiple roles. “I have worked with an enormous amount of people from diverse backgrounds, especially in my role as VMC commissioner. All this interaction has helped to widen my mind to endless possibilities,” said Usha. “My current work with people who suffer from acquired brain injury has been a real eye opener. We take so many things for granted without even realizing it. Working with the disabled and having the pleasure of talking to them and understanding them has taught me so much. I now see life from a different perspective. I now see the people, not the disability,” she added.

Usha’s radio program is a mix of news, views, music and masti, according to her. “Quite like me,” she adds, tongue in cheek. “I have both, my serious and fun personalities reflect in everything I take on. My partner Mario Rodriguez who works in Spanish radio, is the stabilizing presence in my life. He supports me in everything and brings me down to earth when I tend to get carried away with something. He was delighted when he heard about my nomination,” said Usha. “This is the first time VMC commissioners have been awarded; and my thanks to Queen Victoria Centre and VMV Chairperson George Lekakis. We have worked very hard with women from diverse communities and it is good to have that work acknowledged,” she added.