An evening celebrating the journeys, achievements, and contributions of migrants who now proudly call Australia home.
Members Dining Room, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) | 6 June 2026
For one evening, the stories of migrants took centre stage in one of Australia’s most iconic venues.
On Saturday, 6 June 2026, more than 200 guests gathered in the historic Members Dining Room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the official launch of Migrants Life – Volume 1 and the inaugural Migrants Life Awards.
Hosted under the theme, “Dedicated to every migrant who left something behind in order to build something new”, the evening celebrated the courage, resilience, and contributions of migrants whose journeys have helped shape modern Australia.
Bringing together migrants, community leaders, business owners, authors, athletes, supporters, and families, the gala dinner was more than a book launch. It was a celebration of the people behind the stories and the communities they help build every day.
The Story Behind Migrants Life
Founded by author, speaker, and community advocate Divesh Sareen, Migrants Life was created to preserve migrant stories for future generations while helping build greater understanding between cultures and communities.
What began as a passion project has evolved into a growing platform dedicated to documenting and sharing migrant journeys through interviews, exhibitions, podcasts, events, and storytelling initiatives.
The launch of Migrants Life – Volume 1 represents an important milestone in that journey.
Over many months, participants worked closely with the Migrants Life team to document their experiences, sharing stories of sacrifice, uncertainty, ambition, setbacks, reinvention, and success.
Together, these stories provide a powerful reflection of modern Australia and the many journeys that continue to shape it.
Meet the Storytellers Behind Volume 1
At the heart of the evening were the 14 individuals whose stories form Migrants Life – Volume 1.
Representing different countries, cultures, professions, and life experiences, each participant shared their journey to help inspire future migrants, support those currently navigating their own paths, and foster greater understanding across communities.
The participants featured in Volume 1 are: Arjun Sakha Das, Basir Abbass, Christine Wan, Dharmendra Patel, Gobal Subramaniam, Iris Du, Jatin Kotecha, Kalpesh Shah, Krishna Sevak, Mohit Gupta, Panitha Perera, Parth Shah, Sanjay Bhayani and Sanjeev Gill.
Some arrived as students. Some arrived seeking opportunity. Some arrived seeking safety. Others arrived carrying dreams that would take years to achieve.
While each journey is unique, together they tell a broader story about courage, perseverance, belonging, and the determination to build a better future.
For one evening, those stories took centre stage at one of Australia’s most iconic venues.
Rather than displaying scores and statistics, the Melbourne Cricket Ground scoreboard showcased the faces, names, and stories of the participants featured in Migrants Life – Volume 1. In a powerful reminder of the purpose behind the project, ordinary people who had taken extraordinary journeys were celebrated on the same stage where some of Australia’s greatest sporting moments have unfolded.
The project was also supported by respected community leaders who contributed their perspectives on migration, multiculturalism, leadership, and social cohesion.
An Evening of Inspiration
Guests began arriving from 5:40pm, gathering inside the Members Dining Room overlooking the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the formal proceedings commenced.
The evening was opened by MC Skye Bennett, followed by a moving rendition of the Australian National Anthem performed by Simone Turner. Later in the evening, MC Sanyana Pethes joined the program as co-host.
Opening remarks from Dr Bruce Wong and Dr Raj Khillan reflected on leadership, contribution, community service, and the importance of preserving stories that might otherwise be lost with time.
Their messages helped set the tone for an evening dedicated not simply to celebrating achievements, but to understanding the journeys that make those achievements possible.
A Powerful Keynote from Saroo Brierley
One of the highlights of the evening was a keynote address from internationally acclaimed author and speaker Saroo Brierley.
Known around the world for the remarkable story that inspired the Academy Award-nominated film Lion, Saroo shared reflections on identity, belonging, family, resilience, and finding home.
His story resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom understood firsthand what it means to navigate life between cultures, countries, and identities.
His message served as a reminder that while our journeys may begin in different places, our hopes, fears, and dreams are often remarkably similar.
A Vision Years in the Making
Guests then heard from Migrants Life founder Divesh Sareen.
Having arrived in Australia as an international student in 2008, Divesh reflected on his own migration journey and the experiences that inspired him to create Migrants Life. He spoke about his earlier books, The Indian Mate Volumes 1 and 2, and how encouragement from former Australian cricketer Brett Lee in 2024 helped inspire the next chapter of his storytelling journey.
He described Migrants Life – Volume 1 as a book about starting over, rebuilding, and discovering who you become through life’s challenges. He also shared highlights from the stories featured in the publication and reflected on the importance of preserving lived experiences for future generations.
The evening also saw the launch of the Migrants Life Silver Coin and the Migrants Life Puzzle Box, both designed to reinforce the themes of perseverance, connection, and shared achievement that underpin the broader project.
The book is now available worldwide through Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover edition, with signed copies available through the Migrants Life website.
Divesh shared his vision to grow Migrants Life into a larger platform that helps migrants connect, learn, and support one another while announcing that plans for Migrants Life – Volume 2 are already underway.
Conversations That Inspired
The gala featured two thought-provoking panel discussions exploring leadership, identity, resilience, and belonging.
The first panel brought together former Australian Test cricketer Simon Katich, Migrants Life participant Dharmendra Patel, and Asha Bhat OAM.
The discussion explored leadership, overcoming challenges, embracing identity, and the lessons learned throughout life’s journey.
The second panel featured Saroo Brierley, Migrants Life participant Christine Wan, and Danijela Stojanovic.
Together, they discussed resilience, belonging, and what we carry with us throughout our lives regardless of where we come from or where we choose to call home.
These conversations reflected many of the themes found throughout Migrants Life – Volume 1 and reinforced the idea that stories have the power to educate, inspire, and connect.
The Migrants Life Auction
The evening also featured live auctions conducted by Elliot Bell, Director of Bell Real Estate Belgrave.
Guests enthusiastically participated throughout the evening, creating moments of excitement, engagement, and community spirit.
The auction added another memorable element to the gala and provided attendees with the opportunity to own unique memorabilia and experiences.
Recognising Outstanding Contribution
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Migrants Life Awards.
Created to celebrate individuals whose journeys and contributions have positively impacted others, the awards recognised leadership, service, resilience, innovation, and community impact.
Finalists and winners were selected by a judging panel comprising Damien Soltan, Iris Du, and Sanjeev Gill.
Migrants Life Rising Leader Award
Finalists: Chin Yin Lau, Devendra Singh, Aakarsh Shah, Jawwad Aamer Khan and Numan Rasul
Winner: Numan Rasul
Migrants Life Community Impact Award
Finalists: Aloyna Taylor, Brad Ambridge, Neelima Davuluri, Heidy Wandurraga and Bhawna Gautam
Winner: Brad Ambridge
Migrants Life Bridge Builder Award
Finalists: Khatija Halabi, Apurva Sharma, Smriti Krishna, Chanchal Kurup and Dheepa Awtani
Winner: Smriti Krishna
Migrants Life Person of the Year Award
Finalists: Asha Bhat, Harvinder Jain, Aidan Grimes, Suresh Rajan and Danijela Stojanovic
Winner: Asha Bhat
Migrants Life Lifetime Legacy Award
Finalists: Vanita Sharma, Satjinder Pal Singh, Bruce Wong, Eva Hussain and Minh Chu
Winner: Bruce Wong
The awards highlighted an important message that resonated throughout the evening: success is not only measured by personal achievement, but also by the positive impact we create for others.
Thanking Those Who Made It Possible
The evening concluded with recognition of the participants, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, speakers, performers, and community members who helped bring the event to life.
From those who shared their stories to those who supported the vision behind the project, every contribution played a role in making the evening possible.
The event was proudly supported by:
- Custom Web Apps
- After the WHY
- Aussizz Group
- Damco Kitchens & Bathrooms
- Renewd Group
- MAD Immigration Lawyers (My Aussie Dreams)
- Creatick Group
- Skynz
- Hyprepp
- IH Jewellers
- Seeking Guru
- The Divesh Sareen Show
- The Leader Speaks
- Rank My Business,
- Zelux Event Portraits
Celebrating Culture Through Performance
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed performances from the Moonlight Dance Group and the combined talents of Prerona Institute of Dance and Rhythmic Feet.
These vibrant performances brought colour, energy, and celebration to the event while showcasing the cultural diversity that continues to enrich Australian society.
More Than a Book Launch
As guests gathered for photographs and celebrations beneath the backdrop of one of Australia’s most iconic venues, it became clear that the evening was about much more than a book.
It was about recognising the courage required to leave behind what is familiar.
It was about celebrating resilience in the face of uncertainty.
It was about honouring the contributions migrants continue to make to Australian society.
And it was about ensuring that stories which might otherwise be forgotten are preserved for future generations.
As guests left the Members Dining Room and looked out across the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they carried with them more than memories of a gala dinner.
They carried stories.
Stories of people who left families, careers, communities, and familiarity behind in pursuit of something new.
Stories of resilience, courage, and contribution.
Stories that remind us that modern Australia has been built not only by institutions and industries, but by ordinary people willing to take extraordinary risks.
Looking Ahead
Migrants Life – Volume 1 is only the beginning.
Future volumes, podcasts, exhibitions, events, and storytelling initiatives will continue the mission of documenting and sharing migrant journeys from across Australia and beyond.
Because behind every migrant is a story.
A story of sacrifice.
A story of hope.
A story of resilience.
A story of belonging.
And ultimately, a story that helps shape the Australia we know today.
Migrants Life – Volume 1 is a celebration of those stories.
And this is only the beginning.
Event Photos
Photos from the Migrants Life – Volume 1 Book Launch & Awards Gala can be viewed by clicking the button below: