Hedayat Osyan, a former refugee from Afghanistan, has been awarded the 2024 Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition. Osyan, who founded CommUnity Construction seven years ago, has dedicated his efforts to providing employment and training for refugees with limited English language skills.
CommUnity Construction has trained over 90 refugees from various countries, with 60 employed in construction and four starting their own businesses. Osyan’s work has been recognized for its positive impact on vulnerable communities, helping refugees build pathways for their careers and livelihoods.
Osyan’s journey began as a 17-year-old member of Afghanistan’s persecuted Hazara community. Following the Taliban attack on his village in 2009, he fled to Australia by boat and was detained on Christmas Island for three months. He later settled in Sydney and completed his secondary education at Marsden High School.
The Les Murray Award, named after former SBS sports broadcaster Les Murray AM, recognizes outstanding former refugees who raise awareness about the plight of forcibly displaced people. James Taylor, Managing Director of SBS, praised Osyan for his commitment to providing work and support for vulnerable communities.
