wins Human Rights Commission accolade

Johnathan Thurston wins Human Rights Commission accolade

Johnathan Thurston has won the Australian Human Rights Commission’s prestigious 2017 Human Rights accolade.

Human Rights Commission President, academician Rosalind Croucher, given the accolade to man Thurston at today’s Human Rights Awards ceremony. Over five hundred folks attended the event, as well as business and community leaders, lawyers, advocates, health professionals, lecturers and human rights campaigners.

“Johnathan Thurston may be a ace within the National rugger League. he's conjointly a task model to thousands of young Australians and a mentor to autochthonal students.

“The Human Rights accolade honours Johnathan’s achievements, significantly his commitment to up the academic opportunities out there to young Aboriginal and sound island-dweller folks,” academician Croucher same.

Mr Thurston may be a key supporter of NRL Cowboys House, that provides mentoring and accommodation for college kids from remote Queensland communities. he's conjointly active in Deadly Kindies, a preschool program that supports and strengthens children’s Aboriginal and sound Islanders identity.

"It is really undignified to receive this accolade," man Thurston same.

“I am lucky to be in an exceedingly position to figure with autochthonal youth from babyhood through to young adulthood, and believe it's my responsibility to confirm our future generations have equal access and chance to measure their best lives.

“While i'm only 1 person in an exceedingly community of leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators World Health Organization area unit operating to form higher lives for autochthonal Australians, i'm honored to be recognised and might solely hope that the award can bring valuable attention to closing the education gap for all Australians.”

Professor Croucher conjointly congratulated the winners of seven alternative Human Rights Awards, as well as the winner of the Young People’s Human Rights accolade, transgender advocate Georgie Stone.
“The 2017 Human Rights Awards acknowledge and celebrate people, businesses and organisations from across Australia that demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing human rights,” academician Croucher same.

The 2017 Human Rights Awards winners are:

Human Rights Medal: Johnathan Thurston
NRL star Johnathan Thurston was recently named the 2018 Queensland Australian of the Year. Johnathan may be a model and mentor and is concerned in an exceedingly multitude of community programs as well as NRL Cowboys House, that provides support and accommodation for autochthonal students from remote Queensland communities.

Young People’s Human Rights Medal: Georgie Stone
Georgie may be a transgender advocate World Health Organization, at the age of ten, became the youngest person to receive internal secretion blockers in Australia. She campaigned to permit transgender kids and their families access to treatment while not court of domestic relations approval.

Media Award: The traveler and that they Cannot Take the Sky, created by Behind the Wire (with The Wheeler Centre and Allen & Unwin)
The traveler podcast and that they Cannot Take the Sky: Stories from Detention share the stories of individuals World Health Organization are command in immigration detention or subject to 3rd country process in Nauru and hand Island. they supply a compelling insight into the impact of Australia’s expatriate policies.

Business Award: Allianz
Through a partnership with Settlement Services International, Allianz established Associate in Nursing innovative property Employment Program aimed toward building a various and inclusive  personnel, making employment opportunities and support for refugees and migrants.

Law Award: David Woodroffe
David Woodroffe has created a big contribution to the promotion of human rights for Aboriginal folks within the Northern Territory. he's the Principal Legal Officer for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and has worked with the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of youngsters within the Northern Territory to confirm that Aboriginal folks have the chance to participate absolutely within the Commission.

Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award: Barbara Spriggs
Barbara Spriggs exposed a decade-long culture of concealing of the abuse and abuse of residents at the Oakden facility once she wanted answers concerning suspected abuse and neglect of her husband whereas he was in care in 2015 and 2016.

Community Organisation Award: Blind voters Australia
Blind voters Australia is that the peak support body for Australians World Health Organization area unit blind or vision impaired. it's vie a key role in transfer concerning important changes as well as tactile ground surface indicators and inclusion of blind-specific standards in education.

Racism. It Stops With American state Award: Cohealth Arts Generator Sisters and Brothers Program National Ethnic and school of thought Broadcasters Council
This program tackles racism in Victoria, employing a college leadership and educational program centered on building fellow feeling through discussions concerning diversity and discrimination. By encouraging bystanders to require action after they witness racism, students conjointly learn to make confidence and resilience.