Brisbane City Hall and King George Square were filled with food, music, cultural performances and community stalls on Sunday as thousands attended Empowering People – Strengthening Queensland 2026, a multicultural expo celebrating the city’s migrant communities.
The free public event, organised by Bhartiya Samaj, has grown steadily since its launch and was held from 10am to 3pm. The fourth edition brought together cultural organisations, community groups, government representatives and members of the public for a day focused on cultural exchange, settlement support and community connections.
The program opened with a multicultural parade through King George Square, followed by performances across two stages and a large exhibition featuring food, arts, cultural displays and information services. The event also included panel discussions and resources aimed at helping new arrivals find employment opportunities and connect with local support networks.
Federal, state and local representatives attended the event, alongside members of the diplomatic community. Guests included Milton Dick MP, representing the Prime Minister, Senator Paul Scarr, Hermann Vorster MP representing the Queensland Premier, Indian Consul General Neetu Bhagotia, Margie Nightingale MP, Bisma Asif representing the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillors Sandy Landers, Penny Wolff and Pye Augustine, and Peru’s Ambassador Vitaliano Gallardo Valencia.
The exhibition featured displays from communities across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The Indian pavilion showcased traditional musical instruments, regional costumes, temple jewellery and information on Ayurveda and meditation practices.
First Nations representatives shared the history and culture of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, while other displays highlighted the contributions of communities including German and Ukrainian organisations in Queensland.
Food stalls were among the busiest attractions throughout the day. Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice, egusi soup and fufu drew strong interest, while Egyptian coffee, saffron drinks and Yemeni cultural displays attracted visitors throughout the afternoon. Japanese takoyaki proved particularly popular, with long queues forming at several points during the event.
Families were a major part of the crowd, with children taking part in free activities including a petting zoo, face painting, henna and balloon twisting.
A panel discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing migrants settling in Queensland, with speakers discussing employment, community participation and access to local services.
The event also included the Multicultural Community Awards, recognising contributions across leadership, community service, advocacy, sport and the arts. Award recipients included Poonita Agarwal, Peter Bongiorni, Syed Muhammad Zaidi, the Eritrean Women’s Support Network, Mahi Mehta, Nasrin Vaziri, Janeth Deen OAM and Shweta Goyal.
Bhartiya Samaj president Abhishek Sharma said the event had increasingly focused on practical support for migrants alongside cultural celebration, with empowerment and community participation becoming central themes.
Held annually on the first Sunday of August, the expo has become a regular feature of Brisbane’s multicultural calendar, bringing together a broad cross-section of Queensland’s communities in the city’s civic centre.
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