The Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition recognises and celebrates the contribution of refugees who are shining a light on the situation of forcibly displaced people.
The winner receives $10,000, generously donated by SBS, in recognition of their work to promote positive awareness and understanding of refugees.
The 2025 Les Murray Award is now open for nominations. Nominations close on Friday 28 February 2025.
This Award is offered in memory of Les Murray AM, the iconic sports broadcaster and much-loved host of The World Game on SBS television. Les was a refugee who fled Hungary in 1956, eventually reaching safety in Australia. He used his public profile and his own refugee experience to advocate for refugee rights.
The Award is supported by Les's daughters, Tania and Natalie Murray.
Hedayat Osyan (2024)
Anyier Yuol (2023)
Danijel Malbasa (2022)
The judges invite nominations for individuals who are promoting positive awareness and understanding of refugees.
Nominees must:
Submissions must explain how nominated individuals fulfil the selection criteria.
Nominations must also include at least two references to verify the nominee’s work and how they have made an impact on Australian society.
Anyone can nominate an individual for the Award. An individual may also nominate themselves.
Please note: Current employees of SBS and UNHCR and their immediate families are ineligible to apply for the Les Murray Award.
Nominations close on Friday 28 February 2025, 5pm AEDT.
Please submit your nomination and the required documents to [email protected] or contact us with any questions and concerns.
Anyier Yuol, Les Murray Award winner 2023
Anyone can nominate another individual for the award. An individual may also nominate themselves.
Nominees must be individuals who have settled in Australia as a refugee.
Please note: Current employees of SBS and UNHCR and their immediate families are ineligible to apply for the Les Murray Award.
The Award will honour refugees who have engaged Australians and raised positive awareness about the situation of refugees. Nominations are sought from outstanding individuals who have settled in Australia as refugees.
The Award will be judged by a selection committee. The committee is looking for a refugee living in Australia who has made a significant contribution to the community and who has raised positive awareness about the situation of refugees.
In 2023, the selection committee consists of: Adrian Edwards, David Hua, Kate Dundas and Ann Odong.
Please view the selection criteria above.
Please see the eligibility and selection criteria above.
One winner will be awarded.
The Award commemorates Les Murray AM, a much-loved icon of Australian sport and a passionate supporter of refugees and human rights.
Les Murray was an iconic Australian sports broadcaster and a former refugee who embarked on a lifelong mission to unite people through football. Les drew on his own experience of fleeing Hungary in 1956 to reach eventual safety in Australia in his advocacy. His personal account offered Australians a positive view of the refugee journey and experience.
The Award is supported by Les’ daughters Tania and Natalie Murray.
Les Murray AM (László Ürge) arrived in Australia aged 11 from Hungary as a refugee.
Les became the voice and face of football on SBS. He hosted On The Ball, Toyota World Sports and The World Game; covered eight World Cup events; and established himself as Australia’s 'Mr Football'. To Les, football was the 'World Game', the 'Beautiful Game' and the 'Greatest Show on Earth' – and he understood the power of sport as a pathway for refugees to succeed in Australia.
As Les explained: "Refugees, perhaps more than other immigrants, are more likely to make a positive contribution to their new country, driven by a need to give something in return for being given a chance to start again after a terrible experience."
In 2006, Les was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to football and was also awarded the Australian Sports Commission's Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Sports Journalism.
Australians learned more about Les in 2011 through Les Murray’s Mission – a SBS Dateline documentary on his return to Hungary to find those who helped his family escape Soviet occupation in 1956.
His personal account offered Australians a positive view of the refugee journey and experience.