Saleha Singh, a familiar name in Melbourne’s multicultural community and a contributor to The Indian Sun, has received the 2025 Caroline Chisholm Volunteer Award from Dr Carina Garland MP, Federal Member for Chisholm. The award recognises her years of voluntary work supporting women experiencing family violence, mental health issues, and isolation.
Over the years, Singh has assisted more than 400 women in Chisholm and across Melbourne, helping them rebuild their lives with compassion and practical support. She has guided women through job preparation, connected them to doctors, psychologists, police officers, lawyers, and service providers, and stood beside them during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Dr Garland commended her efforts, writing, “We are most grateful for your community service.” The citation highlighted Singh’s impact and her leadership through the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence, which nominated her for the award.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Singh launched her video podcast Chai, Chat & Community, creating an online space for connection and mutual support. What began as a small initiative to ease loneliness during lockdowns has evolved into a broader community where people share stories, resources, and solidarity.
Singh serves as Co-chair of the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence and is a Board Member of IndianCare. She is also part of the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Regional Advisory Council (Eastern Region), contributing to advocacy and policy discussions affecting migrant and refugee women.
In a social media post congratulating her, community leader Dr Supriya Singh described Singh as “a community leader who has helped more than 400 women in Chisholm and across Melbourne deal with family violence, mental health and loneliness,” acknowledging her as “a beacon of care and resilience.”
The Caroline Chisholm Award recognises individuals whose voluntary service reflects the spirit of its namesake—dedication to the welfare and empowerment of women and families. Singh’s work through grassroots initiatives like Chai, Chat & Community and the Multicultural Women’s Alliance embodies that legacy, bringing people together across cultural lines to build trust and understanding.
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