Veteran journalist, educator and community organiser to continue leading the association

Syed Atik: Mohammad Abdul Matin, a veteran journalist, educator and community organiser with more than three decades of professional experience, has been re-elected president of the Australia Bangladesh Journalists Association (ABJA), reaffirming his leadership in promoting professional cooperation and strengthening ties among Bangladeshi journalists and community members in Australia.

He was re-elected at the association’s annual general meeting and election held on Sunday, October 25, at the Red Rose Function Centre in Rockdale, Sydney. The meeting brought together ABJA members, representatives of social, cultural and professional organisations, politicians, academics, writers, journalists and senior community leaders. A new 17-member executive committee was formed through the election.

The election commission comprised Professor Dr Waliul Islam, Dr Sabrina Faruqi OAM and Professor Dr Mohammad Mizanur Rahman.

Matin currently serves as Australia Country Editor of Bangladesh’s daily Kalbela, editor of the online news outlet Bidesh-Bangla and chief executive officer of the Reliable College of Nursing (RCN), a registered educational institution in Australia. His career reflects a combination of journalism, education, professional development and community service.

He began his journalism career with the Daily Azad in 1989 and joined the English-language daily The Daily Star in 1991. During his career in Bangladesh, he covered major national institutions and political developments, reporting from the Secretariat, National Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office and Bangabhaban, among other important centres of government and public affairs.

After moving to Australia, Matin continued his engagement with journalism and media. Alongside his editorial responsibilities for Kalbela and Bidesh-Bangla, he has maintained professional links with Australian media and creative industries. He is a member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Local and Independent News Association (LINA). He also previously served as general secretary of the Sydney Press and Media Council.

His involvement with ABJA spans more than a decade. Through the organisation, he has worked to strengthen professional networking and cooperation among expatriate Bangladeshi journalists, writers, poets, academics and media professionals. The association also seeks to protect journalists’ professional dignity and interests while expanding welfare activities for members.

Beyond journalism, Matin has built substantial experience in education and training. As chief executive officer of RCN, he is involved in the education and training sector, including matters concerning international students. He is also a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC) and a Justice of the Peace (JP) in New South Wales.

His professional experience extends into technology and the private sector. He has been involved in non-inventory procurement operations at Amazon in Australia and has undertaken training related to robotics operations and maintenance. He received a Universal Procedures Upskill Certificate from Amazon Robotics University.

Matin’s contribution to public service was also recognised during the COVID-19 pandemic. He received the COVID Hero Award, presented by Federal Minister Tony Burke, and the Pandemic Hero Award from the City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council for his contributions during the public health crisis.

His re-election comes at a time when professional media networks and community organisations play an important role in connecting expatriate Bangladeshis with their homeland and helping them maintain cultural and professional links.

With his experience across journalism, education and community engagement, Matin is expected to continue working to advance ABJA’s professional objectives and strengthen cooperation among Bangladeshi media professionals in Australia.