Nominations open for the Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition
13 January, 2025
Media releases
Nominations are now open for the fourth Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition.
The award aims to recognise an individual with lived experience as a refugee who has generated positive awareness about refugees, helped create a positive understanding about the situation of refugees and, in doing so, built a more diverse and inclusive Australian community.
It is named after beloved sports broadcaster Les Murray AM, who hosted SBS's The World Game football program and was himself a young refugee who arrived in Australia in 1956 at the age of 11 from Hungary.
There are many refugees across Australia who have overcome adversity to enrich our country with their dedication and hard work. We call on the community to help us celebrate these achievements by submitting nominations, said Australia for UNHCR's CEO Trudi Mitchell.
SBS's Managing Director James Taylor said the award is dedicated to Les Murray's legacy. As SBS looks ahead to its 50th anniversary on 9 June 2025, we're proud to recognise the contributions of all Australians. This award celebrates those who have built new lives here as refugees, making a significant social impact and contributing to a better Australia.
Now in its fourth year, this initiative acknowledges the role of refugees in enriching our shared communities - reflecting Les's own journey as a refugee from Hungary who became an Australian icon, creating positive change through his passion for the world game and building a deep-rooted sense of connection and belonging for all.
In 2024, the Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition was presented to former Afghan refugee Hedayat Osyan, founder of a leading social enterprise that employs refugees in the construction industry. In 2023, former South Sudanese refugee Anyier Yuol won the award for her diverse achievements across sport, women's empowerment and refugee advocacy. In 2022, the inaugural award was presented to former Yugoslav refugee Danijel Malbasa, who donated his time and expertise as a lawyer to work with refugees.
This year's winner will receive $10,000, donated by SBS, to encourage positive awareness for refugees.
Nominations should be emailed to LMA@unrefugees.org.au. The closing date is 28 February 2025. Submissions must include a 250-word biography, examples of work, details on the nominee's community work and two references.
For further information visit www.unrefugees.org.au/lesmurray
For a PDF of this media release, click here
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Nominations open for the Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition 
