(Saturday, November 30, 2025) Oromo Community Advocates Honored with 2025 Bruce Volunteer Awards

In a celebration of community service, six members of the Oromo community have been recognized with the prestigious 2025 Bruce Volunteer Awards for their dedicated contributions.

At the ceremony, Julian Hills MP highlighted the deep-rooted tradition of volunteering within Australia’s social fabric. He praised the recipients as individuals who perfectly embody this spirit, generously giving their time and talents to enrich their communities. This year’s cohort of six volunteers was celebrated for their exemplary work and for reflecting a strong commitment to gender equality.

The 2025 Award Recipients are:

1. Alemayehu Kube Warat: A prominent and articulate advocate, Alemayehu works tirelessly to advance the rights, self-determination, and cultural preservation of the Oromo people. Through public speaking and oral campaigns, he raises national and international awareness of historical and ongoing injustices, diligently documenting human rights situations to promote global accountability.

2. Bontu Mulissa: A dedicated and influential figure, Bontu focuses on cultural revitalization and grassroots empowerment. She is instrumental in educating Oromo youth about their heritage—including the Gadaa system, language, and Irreecha festival—and organizes community events that foster dialogue and preserve indigenous knowledge.

3. Darartu Fayissa: Serving as a vital cultural diplomat and educator, Darartu centers her work on preserving Oromo heritage as a form of peaceful resistance and identity affirmation. She organizes community events focused on the Oromo language and traditional practices, ensuring these foundational elements are passed on to the next generation.

4. Gammechu Bedada: A foundational figure in cultural advocacy, Gammechu plays a crucial role on the Irreecha Committee. He dedicates himself to the practical preservation and celebration of Oromo identity, volunteering tirelessly to organize this pivotal cultural ceremony and ensure its authentic transmission to youth.

5. Lelisse Fida: A prominent and strategic advocate, Lelisse focuses on international awareness and human rights documentation. She leverages digital platforms to amplify Oromo voices globally, systematically documents human rights issues, and builds transnational solidarity networks to bring the Oromo struggle to international forums.

6. Hana Muleta: A formidable and articulate voice, Hana advocates for human rights, political freedom, and cultural preservation. Through strategic digital campaigns, and engagement with international bodies, she amplifies the plight and aspirations of the Oromo people, playing a pivotal role in mobilizing diaspora support.

The Bruce Volunteer Award celebrates individuals who have generously shared their time and expertise over the long term. The unwavering commitment of volunteers like these has been a cornerstone of the Oromo community, fostering its strength, visibility, and enduring pursuit of cultural preservation and liberation.