Eugenia Tsoulis OAM and Chanel Contos have been named as nominees in the Australian of the Year Awards 2023.
In South Australia, Eugenia is a nominee for ‘Senior Australian of the Year.’ In New South Wales, Chanel is a nominee for ‘Young Australian of the Year.’
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM – South Australia
Eugenia is the CEO of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and founding member at Settlement Council of Australia.
Eugenia has helped thousands adjust to life in their adopted land. She has led the AMRC as chief executive officer for 25 years. The organisation supported 4,200 new arrivals in 2020 alone. Â
She’s also been involved with the Settlement Council of Australia for 20 years, a peak body that links community workers in migrant services at the grassroots level with national policy makers. Â
Chanel Contos – New South Wales
In February 2021, Chanel asked on Instagram if anyone had been sexually assaulted while at school. Within 24 hours, over 200 people had replied ‘yes.’ She then launched an online petition to make consent education mandatory in Australian schools. It attracted 45,000 signatures. One year later, education ministers from around the country unanimously agreed to the demand.
Chanel’s actions spurred a movement to end rape culture in Australia. The platform, teachusconsent.com, allows people to anonymously share their sexual assault experiences.
Chanel now works on structural policy as Director of the Centre for Sex and Gender Equality at The Australia Institute. She won the Young People’s Human Rights Medal in 2021 and a Diana Award for activism in 2022.
