Carmel Benjamin AM has been awarded the Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award.
Carmel Benjamin AM has dedicated more than 50 years to creating a more egalitarian society by championing the rights of people involved in the criminal justice system.
Over the years, Carmel has volunteered as a victim counsellor, official prison visitor, board member, ambassador and consultant on ministerial advisory committees. She also established vital initiatives including the ‘woman 2 woman’ program that helps women transition from prison into the community.
“I am deeply concerned about the powerlessness of people who lack understanding of complex systems, and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals caught up in the criminal justice system,” she said.
Carmel is one of 57 outstanding volunteers from across Victoria who were honoured at the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards.
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