Essendon Football Club was last night recognised for its work within the multicultural community, being awarded a Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence in the ‘Service Delivery to Multicultural Victoria – Community Services’ category.

The club has conducted a number of programs and activities in 2007 to assist the multicultural community in settlement and life skills as well as providing an opportunity to participate in, and understand, AFL football.

Essendon Managing Director, Peter Jackson, said the Club was honoured by the award.

""It is Essendon’s goal to make a genuine and lasting difference within the community,"" Jackson said.
 
""This award really reflects the hard work that everyone is putting in and we believe these programs will make a significant difference in the multicultural community over time.
 
""In many ways I think the game as a whole is only just starting to understand the positive impact it can have on the lives of people - there is so much that can be done and I think as an elite football club we have a responsibility to play an important role.""

Essendon’s outstanding multicultural initiatives have included:

- Walk in Harmony Day, where people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds had the chance to mingle with Essendon football players while being treated to multicultural performances and food.

- Andrew Welsh Auskick Centre, where children from the Flemington housing estate and greater Flemington area were taught AFL skills.

- Multicultural schools program, bringing together Victoria Police, Yarra Trams and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to deliver a program to numerous schools throughout the North West Melbourne region promoting multiculturalism and the importance of being a good citizen.