Media Releases

26 July 2011

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) hosts an Annual Awards Night and Dinner designed to recognise outstanding Members of the Institute, organisations and individuals for the promotion and enhancement of the migration advice profession and wider migration issues.

Held in conjunction with the MIA National Conference, running this year from 15-17 September in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, the Awards Night is an opportunity to reflect on the year that was and elevate those who made a lasting and sustained contribution to the migration community.

Three of the six Annual Awards are open to the public and the Institute invites nominations for the following before close of business Wednesday 10 August:

• Distinguished Service to Immigration
  For an individual who has displayed distinguished service to Australian immigration
• Outstanding Coverage of Migration Issues in the Media
  For an individual, publisher or broadcaster that has highlighted migration issues in the media
• Student of the Year (new in 2011)
  For a student who has excelled in studies in a discipline relating to migration or legal studies

Nominations are now open on the MIA website, www.mia.org.au, and should include 250 word summaries outlining nominees’ credentials. Previous winners include Senator Andrew Bartlett and Barrister John Gibson (Distinguished Service), and the ABC’s Peter Mares (Outstanding Coverage).

The Migration 2011 Conference is the largest migration forum in the southern hemisphere, attracting hundreds of migration agents and hosting high level speakers from government academia and industry.

Key speakers this year include:

• The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
• Mark Getchell, Chief of Mission for Australia, International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
• Prof Peter van Onselen, Contributing Editor, The Australia; Presenter, Sky News
• Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
• Dr Caroline Tomiczek, Project Manager, Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute

For more information, visit the MIA Conference page, www.migrationconference.com.au.