Former Socceroo turned human rights and anti-racism activist Craig Foster has become the NSW Australian of the Year for 2023.
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Foster has been recognised as one of the country's most powerful voices for the disadvantaged, and honoured for his award-winning career as a sports broadcaster and champion of "active multiculturalism".
The state inducted Foster - a 29-times-capped Socceroo - alongside three other recipients at a ceremony in Sydney last night attended by the Premier, Dominic Perrottet.
Foster was awarded from a select group of finalists, including 2021 Newcastle Citizen of the Year, Indigenous surgeon Dr Kelvin Kong; The Hands of Rescue founder Dr Barry Kirby; and Indigenous constitutional and human rights lawyer Professor Megan Davis.
Foster, originally from Lismore, was recognised for his humanitarian efforts to secure the release of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi who faced extradition to Bahrain from Thailand in 2018 and 2019. More recently, he led a campaign to free refugees trapped both off- and onshore in Australia.
Former palliative care nurse Teresa Plane, 89, was named the state's Senior Australian of the Year, lauded as a pioneer in her field who established the home and day care centre Macquarie Hospice in 1984.
Conservationist and waste recycling advocate Lottie Dalziel - the 29-year-old founder of the recycling website and Banish - was named Young Australian of the Year. Ms Dalziel's initiative recycled 11 tonnes of waste from 11,000 homes products in its first 20 months.
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"The NSW recipients show us what caring is all about; caring about people, our planet and the community," Karlie Brand, the National Australia Day Council CEO said in a statement yesterday.
The four awardees will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards on January 25 next year.