Celebrating 25 Years of Social Justice in Hume: Advocates for Dignity Art Exhibition Highlights Community, Hope and Belonging

Broadmeadows, Victoria – Saturday 29 August 2026

Hume City Council marked a significant milestone on Saturday 29 August 2026, celebrating 25 years of commitment to social justice and launching its renewed 2026 Hume Social Justice Charter at a special community event held at Broadmeadows Town Hall.

The event brought together community leaders, advocates, artists, local organisations, Council representatives and residents to reflect on Hume’s long-standing commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive and socially just community.

Hume City Council was the first Council in Australia to establish a Social Justice Charter in 2001, followed by the introduction of Hume’s Citizens Bill of Rights in 2004. Over the past 25 years, the Charter has evolved in response to changing community needs and has helped guide Council’s decision-making, service delivery, partnerships and long-term planning.

The newly renewed 2026 Charter continues this commitment by strengthening its focus on human rights, inclusion, equity, fairness and participation, while responding to contemporary social justice issues and barriers experienced by communities across Hume. Council has also strengthened its approach to monitoring and evaluating the Charter’s implementation.

Social Justice in Action

Hosted by Abdi Aden, the afternoon featured a rich program of cultural performances, community conversations and inspiring stories.

A key highlight was the panel discussion, “Social Justice in Action,” which brought together people with diverse experiences and expertise in human rights, reconciliation, displacement, anti-racism, community development and inclusion.

The panel featured Kylie Spencer, a proud Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung woman and member of Hume City Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group; Anastasia Rose Le, a strategic advocate, systems thinker and cultural reform leader with lived experience of forced displacement; Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon, Deputy CEO of Banksia Gardens Community Services and an advocate for Human Rights Education; and Dr Mario Peucker, Associate Professor at Victoria University whose work focuses on place-based, community-centred approaches to anti-racism.

Their discussion highlighted that social justice is not simply a policy or document. It is something that must be reflected in everyday actions, relationships, services and opportunities — ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate, belong and thrive.

Advocates for Dignity Art Exhibition

A particularly meaningful part of the celebration was the Advocates for Dignity Art Exhibition, featuring selected artworks by winners of the organisation’s Refugee Week Art Competition over the past three years.

The exhibition provided a powerful visual representation of the experiences, hopes, journeys and aspirations of refugee and multicultural communities.

Through art, young people and community members have been able to express ideas of freedom, diversity, belonging, displacement, resilience and hope. Displaying these works as part of Hume’s 25-year Social Justice celebration demonstrated the important role that creativity and storytelling can play in advancing social justice and strengthening community connections.

For Advocates for Dignity, the exhibition was more than simply a display of artwork. It was an opportunity to ensure that the voices and experiences of refugee and emerging communities are visible, valued and included in conversations about the future of our society.

The artworks reflected a simple but powerful message: every person has a story, every person deserves dignity, and every person should have the opportunity to belong.

Honouring the Legacy of Gary Jungwirth

The event also featured the Gary Jungwirth Oration, delivered by Mariam Issa, honouring the life and legacy of the late Gary Jungwirth.

Gary was a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, community development and support for refugees and emerging communities. His lifelong commitment to creating stronger and more inclusive communities continues to inspire those working for social justice in Hume and beyond.

The oration provided an opportunity for the community to reflect on Gary’s contribution and consider how his values can continue to guide future generations of community leaders and advocates.

As Hume celebrates 25 years of social justice, remembering people such as Gary is particularly significant. Social change is built through the dedication of individuals and communities who are willing to listen, advocate, participate and stand alongside those experiencing disadvantage.

A Community Commitment for the Future

The celebration was also an important reminder that, while considerable progress has been made over the past 25 years, social justice remains an ongoing journey.

Hume City Council has acknowledged that entrenched disadvantage and inequality continue to affect some communities and that further collective action is required.

The renewed Social Justice Charter provides an important framework for continuing this work. Its focus on human rights, access, inclusion, participation, equity, fairness and accountability reflects values that are shared by many community organisations, including Advocates for Dignity.

For Advocates for Dignity, participating in this important celebration and exhibiting artworks from the Refugee Week Art Competition was a privilege and an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to human dignity, refugee rights, social inclusion, intercultural understanding and community participation.

We congratulate Hume City Council and the Community Capacity Building team on reaching this important milestone and on the launch of the 2026 Social Justice Charter.

As we look towards the next 25 years, the challenge is not only to celebrate the progress that has been made, but to continue working together to create communities where everyone can participate, everyone can belong, and everyone can thrive.

Social justice is not only a charter. It is a commitment — one that comes alive through the actions of individuals, communities, organisations and governments working together.

Advocates for Dignity

Advocates for Dignity is proud to continue working with community partners to promote human rights, social justice, inclusion and dignity, and to create opportunities for refugee and multicultural communities to share their stories, talents and aspirations.

We believe that art, storytelling, dialogue and community participation can help build bridges between people and create a society where diversity is celebrated and every individual is treated with dignity and respect.