CYCDO Celebrates Australia Day with a Powerful Night of Multicultural Unity 26-01-2026
In a vibrant display of unity and community spirit, the Community Youth & Citizen Development Organisation (CYCDO) hosted a grand Australia Day 2026 celebration, bringing together more than hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds to reflect, respect, and celebrate their shared home.
On the evening of Monday, 26 January 2026, the Red Rose Function Centre in Rockdale, Sydney, was transformed into a vibrant hub of multicultural exchange.
CYCDO organised several pre-event meetings with community leaders and Aboriginal leaders to ensure inclusive planning and strong collaboration. The organisation also promoted the event through social media advertisements and displayed an Australia Day banner on the busy Railway Parade in Lakemba, NSW 2195, to raise public awareness and engagement.
Community leaders, dignitaries, and families from across New South Wales attended the celebration. This evening, the Australia Day celebration served as a beautiful bridge between the many cultures that call Australia home. It focused on the shared values of respect, fairness, and opportunity that define this nation.
The function centre was beautifully decorated with various artworks, including with the National Australia Day Council gift box. A reception table was set up with a guest list where each guest checked in upon arrival. Guests were then invited to write a message on a sticky note about Australia Day before taking a photograph with a colourful frame featuring the theme: Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate.
The atmosphere was one of warmth and inclusion, creating a space where everyone felt a deep sense of belonging. The evening was dedicated to honouring the unique history and diverse backgrounds that make the Australian identity so rich.
The success of the gathering was driven by the leadership of Md Abdullah Yousuf, President of CYCDO, along with his committed team. Under his guidance, CYCDO has grown into an impactful social and community organisation within multicultural Sydney.
The formal proceedings began with a deeply respectful opening. The hosts for the evening, Young Australian Makhdum Yousuf and Raima Elahi, welcomed the audience with both traditional Australian and Islamic greetings. The program officially started with a moving recitation from the Holy Quran by Dr Shah Faijullah. Following this, the event honoured the traditional custodians of the land. An Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome Address was delivered by Uncle David Bell. As the Leader of the Aboriginal Men’s Group and a former world-ranked boxing champion, Uncle David Bell brought a powerful presence to the stage.
This was further emphasised by a captivating Yidaki performance. The traditional sounds of the didgeridoo shared stories of culture and connection to the land with the gathered guests.
One of the most cherished moments for attendees was the Children’s and Youth Segment. This part of the night showcased the incredible talent and confidence of the next generation. The stage saw a series of inspiring speeches from young members, including Mohammad Aymaan Shihad Mollah, Safrin J. Sohana, and Madia Noman.
The audience also heard presentations from Nashwan Rabbi and Muhammad Eisa Karim Lone. These young speakers were followed by youth role models, including Aadie Karim, a medical student, and Samah Abdullah, a student of speech and hearing sciences. The segment concluded with a final speech by Rafsan Elahi.
The audience was privileged to hear from Senator Dave Sharma and Ms Ash Ambihaipahar MP, the Member for Barton. These prominent leaders spoke about the privilege of being Australian and about the cherished experiences of serving their communities and nation.
The event was also attended by a distinguished lineup of guest speakers. These included Councillor & Solicitor Saud Abu-Samen from the City of Canterbury-Bankstown and former deputy Mayor, Councillor Masud Khalil of Campbelltown City Council.
Other notable guests present at the event included Councillor Sylvia Alafaci from the City of Canada Bay, Councillor Khaled Halabi from the Campbelltown City Council, Dr Ziad Basyouny FRACGP, former federal candidate for Watson and various community leaders, academics, doctors, media personal etc.
Following the guest speeches, Uncle David Bell returned to the stage for a special storytelling session. He captivated the audience with a fifteen minute narrative that included the memorable story of a stolen generator. This session bridged generations through the ancient art of oral history.
Recognition of excellence was a key theme as Md Abdullah Yousuf joined the distinguished guests on stage. Together, they acknowledged and celebrated the efforts and confidence of the young participants. The event featured artworks from several children, each reflecting the theme of Australian life, its people and culture.
Awards were presented to Young Australians as “Australia Day Ambassador” to Aadie Karim, Madia Noman, and Mohammad Aymaan Shihad Mollah. Recognition also went to Nabiha Rabbi, Nashwan Rabbi, Safrin J. Sohana, and Samah Abdullah. Additionally, Muhammad Eisa Karim Lone, Mehnoor Noman, and Rafsan Elahi received awards for their speeches and artistic talents in painting.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks from President Md Abdullah Yousuf. He thanked the National Australia Day Council and a long list of partners for their unwavering support.
In his concluding speech, Md Abdullah Yousuf thanked everyone for their support and participation in this Australia Day event. He said that the organisation is dedicated to more than just hosting events; it works tirelessly alongside young people and their families. CYCDO promotes essential pillars of society such as education, leadership, and cultural understanding.
It is widely recognised for its commitment to community wellbeing and its focus on building confident, responsible, and socially engaged future leaders. CYCDO is also well known in the community for its outstanding COVID-19 social work during a time of great hardship. The team went door to door to drop off food boxes to vulnerable families. CYCDO established a “White Tent” in the Canterbury–Bankstown area as a food service hub, continuously supporting people in need without any grants or external funding.
Hon. Tony Burke MP, Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Mayor Khal Asfour, Clr Bilal El-Hayek, the NSW Police Force, and many social organisations visited and acknowledged CYCDO’s tireless efforts at a time when no one was allowed to leave their homes. In recognition of this tremendous contribution, CYCDO was named Organisation of the Year 2022.
By creating platforms such as this Australia Day celebration, Abdullah Yousuf and his team empower multicultural communities with tools, confidence, and a voice. They ensure that people from diverse backgrounds are heard and celebrated within the broader Australian society. CYCDO also continues its free community services, including support for domestic violence survivors, visiting sick people, and providing free counselling for domestic violence and related issues.
As the formal program ended, guests enjoyed a complimentary formal dinner. The night ended on a note of joy, continuing the celebration of unity and friendship among all who attended.
Community leaders, family members, and academics, guests who attended the event have been expressing their gratitude by calling and texting, praising the organisation for the hugely successful Australia Day celebrations. Special thanks also go to the National Australia Day Council for their support.
Australia Day Events Preparation Meeting (14 January 2026)
Community Youth & Citizen Development Organisation (CYCDO) organised a preparation meeting for the upcoming Australia Day celebrations on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at Campbelltown. The meeting was attended by Uncle David Bell, one of the most senior Aboriginal leaders, leader of the Men’s Group, the first Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer, and a former world-ranked boxer (15th). Campbelltown city council former Deputy Mayor Clr Ibrahim Masud and other prominent community leaders were also present.
The meeting focused on planning and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality Australia Day event scheduled for 26 January 2026, organised by CYCDO. Organisation President Abdullah Yousuf shared the event plan with the team, and key decisions were made regarding event management and guest coordination. A dedicated reception team will welcome distinguished guests, including Senators, Members of Parliament, academics, business leaders, media representatives, and community leaders.
The program will commence with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an, followed by a Welcome Address by an Aboriginal leader.
Planned activities include:
1. An Aboriginal musician will perform using the Yidaki (Didgeridoo).
2. Unity Mural & Message Wall
- A drawing for children
- Hand prints and message writing by answering the question "what Australia means to me" using sticky notes displayed on a wall or board.
- An Australia Day photo frame, allowing attendees to take photos.
3. Following speeches by Auatralia Day Ambassador and other VIP guests, there will be storytelling by an Aboriginal leader.
The event will conclude with a vote of thanks by the CYCDO President, expressing appreciation to all participants and acknowledging the support of the Australia day council.
Unity in Diversity: CYCDO Hosts a Community-Focused Australia Day Celebration Preparation Meeting
Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Special Correspondent, Suprovat Sydney
Community Youth & Citizen Development Inc. (CYCDO) held a preparatory meeting on the evening of 15 November 2025 at Thaiburn Restaurant in Ingleburn to finalise plans for its upcoming Australia Day Celebration. Members of the preparatory committee attended the meeting, discussing each activity in detail and distributing responsibilities among the team to ensure smooth event delivery. On the same day, the CYCDO President Md. Abdullah Yousuf met with Aboriginal leader John Dicksin, who expressed his full support and assured the organisation of all necessary cooperation for the event.
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