Legal Aid NSW’s Nohara Odicho has been awarded the 2019 NSW Humanitarian Award under the category ‘community worker from a refugee background’.
Ms Odicho (pictured) accepted the award at the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors’ 30th anniversary celebrations in September.
Chief Executive of Legal Aid NSW, Brendan Thomas said Ms Odicho was recognised for her work as a community engagement officer in the Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service, and in particular, her work with young people and newly arrived refugees living in regional areas.
“Nohara arrived in Australia as a Syrian refugee in 2015 when she was just 23,” Mr Thomas said.
“Since then she has drawn on her own experiences to support hundreds of other refugees who now call Australia home.” he said.
“She is a tireless advocate for people who have experienced significant trauma and persecution.”
Mr Thomas said Ms Odichio had shown an incredible commitment to serving the community and breaking down barriers by helping refugees understand their rights and responsibilities under Australian law.
“Her resilience and personal strength are evident in the work she does for the Refugee Service and for refugee communities’ right around NSW.”
“Colleagues report that many of the successes achieved by the service would not have been possible without Nohara’s insight, creativity and passion,” Mr Thomas said.
