Parramatta’s Amar Singh has been honoured as the 2023 Local Hero of the Year for his outstanding work as the founder of T4A—Turbans 4 Australia. The charity, based in Parramatta, provides invaluable support to vulnerable individuals and communities in Western Sydney on a weekly basis.
Singh and his team of dedicated volunteers have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering aid and assistance to those who were isolated and in need. They also extended their efforts to provide supplies to individuals and communities affected by natural disasters such as floods and bushfires.
T4A—Turbans 4 Australia, founded by Amar Singh, is the Local Hero for 2023. The charity promotes multicultural and religious tolerance in society and has been tireless in its efforts to help those in need.
The Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, announced the 2023 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, and Local Hero at a ceremony held at the National Arboretum in Canberra. Amar Singh was among the esteemed group of individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to Australian society.
Singh said, “I am truly humbled by this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to continue our work with T4A—Turbans 4 Australia. Our mission is to promote inclusion and understanding in our diverse society, and this award is a testament to the impact of that mission. I would like to thank my team of volunteers for their dedication and support, and all of those who have helped us along the way.”
As the Local Hero of the Year, Amar Singh serves as an inspiration to all Australians, and his work with T4A—Turbans 4 Australia will continue to make a positive impact on communities in Western Sydney and beyond.
2023 Australians of the Year Announced at National Arboretum Ceremony
The 2023 Australians of the Year were announced at a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra, with the honours going to body image activist Taryn Brumfitt, human rights and social justice advocate Professor Tom Calma AO, Australian Socceroo and co-founder of Barefoot to Boots Awer Mabil, and the founder of Turbans 4 Australia Amar Singh.
Taryn Brumfitt, the 2023 Australian of the Year, is a director, writer and speaker who leads the Body Image Movement, an Adelaide-based organisation that teaches people to love and appreciate their bodies. Her 2016 documentary, Embrace, tackled the serious issue of women’s body loathing and Taryn’s path to body acceptance. It was seen by millions of people in 190 countries and is available on Netflix. Taryn has written four best-selling books and in September 2022, she released a documentary, Embrace Kids, which aims to teach kids aged nine to 14 to move, nourish, respect and appreciate what their bodies can do.
The 2023 Senior Australian of the Year is human rights and social justice advocate Professor Tom Calma AO of Canberra, ACT. Professor Calma is one of Australia’s most respected human rights and social justice campaigners. The Kungarakan Elder has worked for more than 45 years at local, community, state, and international levels championing the rights, responsibilities, and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. His call for Australia to address the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples was the catalyst for the Close the Gap Campaign. He was instrumental in establishing the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples; has led the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program; and co-chaired the National Indigenous Reform Agreement.
Awer Mabil, Australian Socceroo and co-founder of Barefoot to Boots, and Amar Singh, the founder of Turbans 4 Australia, were also recognised for their contributions to the community. The Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, announced the winners of the awards and presented them with a glass trophy, a traditional Indigenous coolamon, and clap sticks, which were specially produced for the occasion by Ngunnawal Knowledge Holder Richie Allan.
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