243. Maha Sukkar from Victoria Police

Maha joined Victoria Police in 2004 and was the first Muslim Policewoman in Australia to wear a hijab, challenging stereotypes and setting an example for police organisations around the world. 

She is the founder and past president of the Victoria Police Muslim Association (VPMA), the first police association of its kind in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. She also co-founded and was vice chair of the Victoria Police Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Network, which sits over all religious and cultural networks in Victoria Police. She is also one of the co-founders of the Victoria Police Women of Colour Network (VP WoCN) which is the first of its kind in a policing service. These networks support and advocate for police and advise Victoria Police on community-related matters.

Maha is active on several other committees focussed on the prevention of gendered violence holds a position on the Australasian Council for Women and Policing (ACWAP) Committee and is a board member of SisterWorks which is a grass-roots social enterprise working closely with migrant women to support economic empowerment.

She is currently a Senior Sergeant at the Victoria Police Academy.

Maha is the recipient of numerous awards and is recognised for her positive impact on community safety and policing. 

2007 - Celebrating excellence in the field of contributions to Australian Muslims award

2008 - Lebanese Community Achievers’ Award

2009 - Australian Muslim Woman of The Year

2009 – Excellence in the field of Police and Community Advisory Committee Award

2010 - Australasian Council for Women and Policing Bravery Award

2018 - Inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for Women for her work in the family violence and forced marriages space across the state and nationwide.

2019 - Awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) (which sits above the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australian Honours schedule)

2019 - Named in The Australian Financial Review 2019 100 Women of Influence

2022 - Awarded the inaugural Australian Professionals of Colour, Corporate Legend of the Year Award.