Tributes flowed all night and there was a standing ovation as our region's multicultural community said "thank you" to the man who's guided the sector for the past quarter of a century and is now stepping down.
Earlier this year, Ken Habak OAM was named Wollongong Senior Citizen of the Year, and on September 5 he was honoured for his contribution as the chair of the Multicultural Community Council of the Illawarra (MCCI) for 25 years.
More than 400 people attending the MCCI 50th anniversary gala dinner rose as one when the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs, and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, proposed a toast to Ken "for his tireless commitment to the MCCI".
"Ken, what you have achieved in the time is a testament to your vision and to your leadership, as you've guided the organisation through any number of challenges, issues, and changes of government."
This has seen the organisation's budget grow from $900,000 a year to $19 million, and 12 staff when he took on the role now number 170.
"Yours has been a steady hand and governments have appreciated your sage advice and contribution to policy and programs over this remarkable tenure.
"You are leaving big boots to fill, but you are definitely leaving MCCI in great shape, with a reputation second to none in the sector."
Praise too from the Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, who read a message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"Your organisation has played an essential part in the success story of modern Australia and your mighty region. Through decades of change, growth and transformation in the Illawarra, MCCI has been there."
Ms Byrnes added her words of praise: "Thank you Ken, and congratulations on leading MCCI to this incredible milestone and celebrating 50 years of supporting, advocating for and empowering multicultural communities across the Illawarra, and thank you for your friendship."
She said working closely with Ken she'd helped secure close to $5 million for SCARF, the Accelerate Them program and to deliver the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program.
"One of my favourite commitments at the 2025 election was securing $5 million to establish a new Regional Multicultural Centre in the Illawarra... to bring MCCI under one roof."
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully presented a special certificate to Ken from the NSW Premier, Chris Minns, praising the MCCI for "its strength in its advocacy for our multicultural community. "Wollongong and the Illawarra has been built on waves of migration. My own family among them," he said.
"We are a united nation of communities, living together, in harmony, experiencing and appreciating one another's culture – together we are creating a modern Australian story."
The retiring MCCI Chair gave an emotional farewell speech as he is stepping down from the role at the end of the year.
"When I took on the chair's role 25 years ago, I didn't imagine being involved for this long," Ken said.
"This has only been possible through the support of so many people." He paid a special tribute to his wife Salma "who has supported my work for 55 years since we arrived in Australia from Lebanon in 1970.
"I will be retiring knowing our organisation is in safe hands."
There was much praise throughout the night for MCCI CEO Chris Lacey, who has skilfully steered the organisation through a great period of growth and advocacy.
The gala event featured a wonderfully diverse program of entertainment, including the energetic DJ Jazzy & The Day Dreamers, the talented musicians from the region's Vietnamese community, classical guitarist Sako Dermenjian and Arabic drum group Alex DJ Entertainment.