Human Rights Awards Winners and Finalists

Human rights medal Winner

Professor Larissa Behrendt AO

Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO is a Eualeyai and Kamillaroi woman and the Director of Research at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Professor Behrendt holds the UTS inaugural Chair in Indigenous Research. In 2018 she was made Distinguished Professor. Her contribution to Indigenous education and research has been widely recognised.

2021

Young people’s human rights medal Winner

Chanel Contos

Human rights are unknowingly being violated at scale in teen years. Chanel believes this type of sexual violence to be preventable with adequate consent education centred on equality. Chanel knew it wasn't just her who experienced this, and when she called for testimonies of similar experiences, over 6,000 emerged within weeks. This gained the attention of policy makers and politicians Australia wide. With the support and voices of thousands of Australians, Chanel campaigned for early and holistic consent education to be mandated in our schools, in a hope that sexual assault is no longer a norm for first sexual encounters.

Shaun Christie-David from Plate It Forward

2021

Community Human Rights Champion Winner

PlateitForward

PlateitForward launched in July 2020 as an immediate solution during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has evolved into long-term programs to support marginalised communities, and have proudly donated 120,000+ meals, delivered 6,500+ hours of training and employed 25 community members, provided 1,000+ donated Uber trips for newly arrived refugees to attend medical and vaccination appointments and seek housing, and rescued 15 tonnes of food destined for landfill. PlateItForward use the power of this hospitality to create a long-term connection that allows people to be connected with the wraparound services they need to have a more equal opportunity.