Pakistani boy honoured in Australia for community service

The ceremony took place outside Melbourne Town Hall earlier this month as Victoria celebrated its 165th birthday. Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel was bestowed with Victorian of the Year.

Victoria Day celebrates Victoria’s independence since separation from New South Wales on July 1 1851.

And Victoria Day Awards celebrate the “significant and valuable contributions” of individuals and organisations to Victorian communities, reported the Herald Sun.

Khurram Khan, a University of Melbourne biomedicine student who arrived in Australia three years ago from Pakistan, volunteers with Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning. Khurram, originally from Pakistan, said he really enjoyed volunteering.

“It’s our responsibility. Too many of us don’t consider it our responsibility.”

He said his work was rewarded through what he learned, experienced and exposed to.

Dr Alan Finkel, Australian Chief Scientist, is a former Chancellor of Monash University and science entrepreneur. He told the paper: “I’m connected in every cell of my body to Victoria. I was born here, grew up here and given every opportunity through Victoria.

“It’s an extraordinary delight to be recognised and honoured by Victorians, not for being a scientist but for being who I am, a Victorian.”

St Kilda Mums, a volunteer not-for-profit organisation that rehomes new and preloved baby goods and nursery equipment to families in need, earned recognition as our Community Organisation of the Year.

GREAT VICTORIANS

Victorian of the Year: Dr Alan Finkel

Younger Victorian of the Year: Khurram Jahangir Khan

Good Corporate Citizen: Vic Super, in recognition of its focus of doing business in a sustainable way

Community Organisation: St Kilda Mums