Two Western Bulldogs Community Foundation board members have been recognised with nominations in the 2022 Victoria Australian of the Year awards.
Foundation Chair and Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University, Gaye Hamilton, is in the running for the Victoria Senior Australian of the Year, while Ahmed Hassan, co-founder and executive director of Youth Activating Youth, has been nominated for the Victoria Young Australian of the Year.
In her role as Chair of the Community Foundation, Hamilton supported and guided the transition of programs to online delivery modes as the state underwent extended lockdowns.
At just 18 years old, Hassan co-founded Youth Activating Youth in 2014 - a non-for-profit organisation which offers support to marginalised and disadvantaged youth from multicultural backgrounds.
They are among 16 Victorians recognised across four award categories, with the winners to be announced on the evening of Wednesday 10 November via an online ceremony.
“We are extremely proud of both Gaye and Ahmed, and are extremely lucky to have such high-quality people on our WBCF board,” General Manager – Community & Government Relations, Kashif Bouns, said.
“We’re so thankful for their hard work and ongoing contributions to the Foundation, and wish them both the best of luck.”
The successful nominees will join the other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on January 25 next year.
Victoria Australian of the Year nominees
Dylan Alcott OAM - Athlete, paralympian, philanthropist, media commentator and advocate (Melbourne) Professor Bronwyn Fox - Chief Scientist at CSIRO and public speaker (Hawthorn, Melbourne) Nyadol Nyuon - Human rights and refugee advocate (Lynbrook)
Kimbarlie (Kim) O'Reilly - Domestic violence survivor, advocate (Melbourne/Mildura)
Victoria Young Australian of the Year nominees
Alex Dekker - Founder of Alex Makes Meals (Clayton)
Libby Fisher - Koala and wildlife conservationist (Diamond Creek)
Keeden Graham - Indigenous youth mentor (Torquay)
Ahmed Hassan - Co-founder and executive director of Youth Activating Youth (Brunswick)
Victoria Senior Australian of the Year nominees
Sister Brigid Arthur - Asylum seeker activist (Albert Park)
Gaye Hamilton - Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University (Inverloch)
Mabel Hibbert - Community volunteer (Oakleigh)
Dr Helen Kouzmin - Specialist physician (East Ivanhoe)
Victoria Local Hero nominees
Leo op den Brouw - Volunteer with the Mallacoota State Emergency Service (Mallacoota)
Phaik See (Cecilia) Chuah - Community volunteer (Brunswick West, Melbourne)
Grant Hansen - Musician and broadcaster (Derrimut, Melbourne)
Jaswinder Singh - Co-founder and secretary of Sikh Volunteers Australia (Hallam)
