John Murray, coordinator of the Positive Justice Centre (a volunteer community organisation) has campaigned tirelessly to overcome discrimination against and social exclusion of people who were in the care of the State or Church as children. He has authored and co-authored many books and made many important submissions to government committees on the subject.
Mr Murray was recognised by the judges for the outstanding role he has played in promoting human rights for young people in institutionalised care. His groundbreaking findings in the 2001 Inmate Health Survey found that almost 40% of prisoners had been in the care of the State/Church as children, which led to the first comprehensive assessment of the State ward/care leavers over-representation in the criminal justice system.
John has lobbied and argued that identification of young people previously in State/Church care permits rehabilitation and effective crime prevention programs and enables preventative models to be undertaken.
Tony Fitzgerald memorial community individual award
Winner
