Members of the ANU community are invited to nominate for the Australian of the year awards.
Each year the Awards recognises 128 remarkable Australians across eight states and territories in four categories.
Disability advocate and humanitarian engineer Huy Nguyen an ANU Alumni was the National Finalist Young Australian of the Year 2014.
Mr Nguyen said being named a finalist was an incredible honour.
“I was recognised for work I am passionate about, which is contributing my ability to shape a more inclusive world and have disability recognised as diversity,” Mr Nguyen said.
“The title of ACT Young Australian of the Year has given me the ability to open doors and engage with influential people, not just in Australia but around the world.
“This ability has allowed me to make a deeper impact through inspiring and bringing such people along the journey to create a diverse Australia.’’
Mr Nguyen said it was important to recognise people who worked on social causes addressing minority groups.
“The Australia Day Awards send a powerful message to the general public to see the positives of diversity and inclusion,” he said.
“I believe it is critical that we as people with disability, who have been seen as a group who only receive handouts, need to take charge of the opportunity change that perception in our community.
“I want to see more people with disabilities step up into leadership roles not just in the disability sector but in the wider community.’’
ANU staff and students are encouraged to consider nominate an Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (aged 60 and over), Young Australian of the Year (16 to 30) or an Australian Local Hero.
It only takes one nomination to put someone you’re proud of in the running.
Winners of the ACT Awards will be announced on November 3.
Visit www.onenomination.aoty.org.au. Nominations close August 1.
