The outgoing chairman of SBS says the multicultural network is more important than ever in creating cultural cohesion.
Appointed to the SBS board of directors in 2010 before taking on the role of chairman in 2017, Dr Bullent Hass Dellal will step away on 2 June having reached the statutory limit of 10 years of service.
Dr Dellal says during his time at SBS he has seen monumental growth and transformation in how the network broadcasts and the way it connects with the community.
It is this ability to engage and tell stories which he believes is vital in bringing communities together.
“That is our distinctiveness, to be able to tell these stories in so many ways and create something that is for all Australians," he said.
“We have come into a stage where I think we are truly representing what the Australian public is and reflecting the unique characteristics of being a diverse nation in all its forms.
“We need to continue to live up to those challenges and be a social changer in a very positive sense.”
Appointed to the Order for Australia for distinguished service to the multicultural community, Dr Dellal says during difficult times SBS has a responsibility to give a voice to Australians of every background.
“We’ve seen during these unprecedented times of COVID-19 that there are issues which arise around racism or discrimination and we need to be on top of that,” he said.
“We need to remove the fear of the unknown through our platforms whether it is online, on television screens or radio and create a sense of positiveness around these issues without hiding the challenges."
Dr Dellal has served as the executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation since 1989 as well as board positions with a wide range of other multicultural organisations.
He says one of the greatest joys of his decade-long tenure has been the people of SBS.
“I’ve worked with many SBS staff and everyone has had a huge impact on me. Meeting so many inspirational people at SBS has helped inspire me to make a positive mark.
“It’s almost like the inspiration just goes through my veins that you’ve got to do your best with this organisation because the people that work here believe in it, you believe in it and the public believes in it and must continue to believe in it.”
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