Akec Makur Chuot, Special representative at Australia For UNHCR World Refugee Day lunch 2021

Alongside its many donors, Australia for UNHCR is supported by influential and prominent Australians who give up their time to become Ambassadors for the organisation.

Ambassadors help raise awareness of the humanitarian emergencies which Australia for UNHCR supports and educate Australians about how they can help.

Our Ambassadors come from a broad range of areas. Some are leading humanitarian advocates, often refugees themselves who now call Australia home. Others are high profile supporters from sectors such as the arts, entertainment, finance and sport.

Here are some of our Ambassadors in action:

Carina Hoang, Special Representative

Carina Hoang

Special Representative

Carina Hoang, award-winning author, speaks of her experience fleeing Vietnam as a child.

Marta Dusseldorp, Special representative, visiting Syrian refugee families in Jordan

Marta Dusseldorp

Special Representative

Actor Marta Dusseldorp visiting refugee families based in Jordan.

Alice Spigelman

Alice Spigelman AM

Patron

Alice Spigelman AM is a Patron of Australia for UNHCR. She was previously a Director of Australia for UNHCR for nine years. 

Yarrie Bangura speaking at Mothers Day Lunch

Yarrie Bangura

Ambassador

Former Sierra Leonean refugee Yarrie Bangura reads her poetry at our Mother’s Day Lunch.

Akec Makur Chuot, Special representative at Australia For UNHCR World Refugee Day lunch 2021

Akec Makur Chuot

Ambassador

Akec Makur Chuot, AFL player and former refugee from South Sudan, shares her story at a World Refugee Day lunch.

Governor General Of Australia — UNHCR 17 Copy RAJA

Raja Yassine

Islamic Philanthropy Ambassador

Raja Yassine is a passionate advocate and supporter of young refugees from minority communities. Starting her career in teaching, Raja now works as a Scholarship Coordinator at Newington College where she assists young refugees with gaining access to education.

Zoe Ghani

Zoe Ghani

Leading Women Fund Ambassador

Tech guru and former refugee, Zoe Ghani is our Leading Women Fund Ambassador. 

Ian Chappell, Special representative at the World Refugee Day Breakfast 2015

Ian Chappell

Special Representative

Cricketing legend Ian Chappell speaks at a World Refugee Day event.

Australia for UNHCR Patron John W.H. Denton AO

John W.H. Denton AO

Patron

John Denton was Chairman of the Board of Australia for UNHCR for more than a decade. He is currently Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the ICC Merchants of Peace Fund, and also serves on the World Health Organisation Foundation Advisory Board.

Michael Dwyer_board member

Michael Dwyer AM

Patron

Michael Dwyer served on the Board of Australia for UNHCR for 22 years, and was Chairman from 2018 to 2022. He has been a leader in the investment and financial sectors for decades. In 2011, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the superannuation industry, and to the community through Australia for UNHCR.

Golgol Mebrahtu, Special representative at the World Refugee Day lunch 2021

Golgol Mebrahtu

Ambassador

Golgol Mebrahtu, soccer player and former refugee, speaks at the 2021 World Refugee Day lunch.

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Peter Gould

Islamic Philanthropy Ambassador

Peter Gould is a leading creative designer. His creative studio team use design, research and a deep understanding of Muslim audiences to help purpose-driven organisations create brands and experiences for a more inclusive and representative world – and he credits his personal spiritual journey as a major influence.

Janine Allis
© Supplied

Janine Allis

Leading Women Fund Ambassador

Boost Juice founder and entrepreneur Janine Allis is Australia for UNHCR's Leading Women Fund Ambassador. Janine is the leading voice for our LWF program, aimed at engaging women professionals and changemakers to support refugee women and girls.