Entrepreneur, cultural diplomat, community leader and proud first-generation Australian of Indian heritage, Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, has been named City of Parramatta’s 2026 Australia Day ambassador.
Ms Gandhi was a Parramatta local for 15 years and has gone on to help shape Australia’s creative, multicultural and business landscape as founder and CEO of multi award-winning marketing and events enterprise, Gandhi Creations Pty Ltd, while leading two international platforms, the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) and Fabrics of Modern Australia (FOMA).
As ambassador, Ms Gandhi will attend the City’s Citizen of the Year awards on 25 January and a special Australia Day citizenship ceremony on 26 January, both being held at Parramatta Town Hall.
“I celebrate Australia Day by celebrating its people — every story, every background, every voice,” Ms Gandhi said.
“India taught me to appreciate diversity; Australia taught me to celebrate it.”
Ms Gandhi said Australian culture has evolved and come into its own and the country’s multiculturalism has spawned a new identity that we all should be proud of.
“You see it in our food, our festivals, our friendships and our everyday conversations – only in Australia can you experience pavlova and pani puri or a sausage sizzle with a proper brewed chai in the same postcode,” Ms Gandhi said.
“That’s multicultural Australia on a plate and is exactly what makes our country special.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Martin Zaiter said he was excited to welcome Ms Gandhi back to the local area.
“Ms Gandhi represents everything Parramatta stands for – hard working, community minded, innovative and both a true Aussie and a global citizen,” Lord Mayor Zaiter said.
“Her passion to improve ties between Australia and India both diplomatically and economically not only aligns with Council’s global City vision but demonstrates the unique Australian value of mateship beyond our shores.
“I know Ms Gandhi’s story is something many Parramatta locals can relate to, and I hope she can inspire the next generation to go the extra mile this Australia Day.”
