Multicultural Australia is delighted to congratulate our former CEO and friend Kerrin Benson who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division), announced today in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List.
The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Kerrin has been recognised for significant service to the multicultural community and to refugee settlement.
Kerrin has dedicated her career to building a multicultural nation where communities are welcoming, diversity is celebrated, and where everyone feels a sense of belonging and inclusion.
In addition to her advocacy, sector and community development during her 16-year tenure as CEO of Multicultural Australia (formerly MDA), Kerrin has given her time and expertise on multiculturalism and settlement to advisory groups across all levels of government, intent on building prosperous, harmonious multicultural communities. Most recently, Kerrin was a member of the Prime Minister’s independent review into the integration, employment and settlement outcomes for refugee and humanitarian migrants to Australia. Kerrin is currently a member of the Refugee and Migrant Services Advisory Council, providing practical advice to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs on improving settlement outcomes for humanitarian entrants and other migrants.
In particular we note Kerrin’s deep relationships with new and emerging refugee and diverse cultural communities across Australia and her collaboration and advocacy with business, community groups and peak bodies across all sectors in the pursuit of community interests.
Kerrin joins Gail Hyslop OAM, one of our organisation’s founding members, as leadership alumni of Multicultural Australia recognised by the Order of Australia for service to the multicultural community.
