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Kon Karapanagiotidis
Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM is the founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Australia鈥檚 largest independent human rights organisation. As a fierce advocate for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and Indigenous Australians, Kon has dedicated his life to fighting for social justice. His commitment to human rights extends beyond his role at ASRC鈥攈e is also a human rights lawyer, social worker, philanthropist, Board Member of Children鈥檚 Ground, and a devoted cooking enthusiast.
He was a finalist for Australian of the Year (Victoria) in 2007, invited to the 2020 Summit in 2008, and named one of Australia鈥檚 20 Unsung Heroes by the National Portrait Gallery. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM), and in 2012, he was a finalist for the Australian Human Rights Medal.
Other honors include City of Maribyrnong Citizen of the Year 2016 and the La Trobe University Young Achiever Award. Most recently, Kon received the 2023 Melburnian of the Year Award.