Nominations have opened for the inaugural Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition, which celebrates refugees who through the arts, sports, or the media are shining a light on the plight of forcibly displaced people in Australia.
The award was established in partnership with SBS and in commemoration of Les Murray, sports journalist and broadcaster and much-loved host of SBS's football program The World Game.
Murray, who died in 2017, used his public profile and his own story as a refugee to raise awareness of and promote refugee rights.
The award is seeking nominations from authors, artists, actors, community leaders, sportspeople, filmmakers and journalists who have settled in Australia as refugees.
Offering a $10,000 prize, the award will be chaired by Australia for UNHCR deputy chair Kate Dundas.
Ms Dundas is joined by Adrian Edwards, UNHCR multi-country representative; David Hua, director of Audio and Language Content at SBS and former refugee; and Ann Odong, a digital content project manager at Football Federation Australia and former Ugandan refugee.
Ms Dundas said refugees make a huge contribution to Australia and deserve to be celebrated.
“This award recognises the talent, creativity and courage of refugees making an impact in arts, sports or media, helping to create a more inclusive and diverse Australia,” she said.
“We know when we welcome and support refugees from around the world, their contribution to our community can have a hugely positive impact. I speak for the entire selection committee when I say we are so eager to learn about all the great accomplishments of refugees living in Australia and celebrate them through Les Murray’s legacy.”
Mr Hua described Murray as “an SBS legend who made such a positive impact on SBS and the audiences we serve”.
“SBS is proud to be a partner in this special award that recognises the many ways refugees contribute to and enrich our society,” he said.
Nominations close on 31 January 2022 and a winner will be announced in April.
The winner will be invited to an award ceremony held on World Refugee Day in June 2022.
