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 2026 Les Murray Award is now open for nominations. Nominations close on Saturday 28 February 2026, 5PM AEDT.
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 1957, 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.
Huda Fadlelmawla (2025)
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 written 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.
Please submit your nomination and the required documents to LMA@unrefugees.org.au or contact us with any questions and concerns.
Nominations close on Saturday 28 February 2026, 5pm AEDT and will be shared with the 2026 judges:
Adrian Edwards is UNHCR's Representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Adrian joined UNHCR in 2009, having previously served with other UN agencies in Afghanistan and Cambodia. He is a former international journalist who led UNHCR's global news team for over a decade through multiple humanitarian emergencies.
David Hua is the Director of Audio and Language Content at SBS. David has over 20 years' experience in the media industry. He had held a number of senior executive roles at the ABC, and has been responsible for diverse portfolios across content, marketing, commercial, radio and digital.
Kate Dundas is Deputy Chair of Australia for UNHCR. She has performed executive roles with the ABC and government, most recently as Executive Director of Performing Arts at the Sydney Opera House. While Director of Radio at the ABC, she collaborated with Australia for UNHCR to raise millions of dollars for the Horn of Africa and Syria emergency appeals. She is also a mentor for emerging and established leaders, a consultant on major arts projects, and a Sydney Festival Board Director.
Born in Gulu, Uganda, Ann Odong came to Australia as a refugee in 1990. As a proud African-Australian, Ann has a passion for gender equality, and providing opportunities for and mentoring women of colour. For 17 years, Ann has been involved in the coverage and promotion of women's football in Australia and internationally. She has also been involved in the African Cup NSW – an organisation that fosters a connection between African-Australians and the wider Australian community.
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.
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.