An extraordinary NSW candidate has taken out top honours in the Australian of the Year Awards, with Amar Singh founder of Turbans4Australia named the 2023 Australia's Local Hero at a ceremony in Canberra.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet congratulated Mr Singh saying he had made the State of NSW immensely proud.
"Amar embodies strong and meaningful values in his work for Turbans4Australia and has dedicated thousands of hours towards helping others right across NSW. He leads a team of volunteers across Australia, working tirelessly to help hundreds of thousands of Australians in need.
"The Australian of the Year Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of remarkable Australians - making immense contributions to our society.
"Amar exemplifies the kind of energy and dynamism shown by so many migrant communities, which lifts our whole nation higher," Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Singh, who lives in Sydney's south-west, emigrated with his family to Australia as a teenager and founded Turbans4Australia in 2015. He delivered a moving Australia Day Address on January 20.
Every week, Turbans4Australia delivers up to 450 food and grocery hampers to people experiencing food insecurity in Western Sydney - and they champion multiculturalism and religious tolerance, which are bedrocks of community peace and harmony.
"Turbans4Australia has delivered hay to farmers in drought. They've been a lifeline to flood victims in Lismore and communities devastated by bushfire on the South Coast. And they've helped isolated and vulnerable members of the community get through COVID-19 lockdowns.
"His mission of helping Australians from all walks of life and his commitment to educating people about his culture with kindness and perseverance is admirable," Mr Perrottet said.
"Amar and the volunteers he works with have made an indelible contribution to the state. Amar represents the strengths of NSW's rich multicultural society and the values everyone holds dear as Australians.
"I also extend my congratulations to all NSW finalists in this year's awards for their efforts and contributions to making Australia a better place. Each of them has done our State proud," Mr Perrottet said.
