Friday, 14 November 2025

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (10:21): I rise today to acknowledge an extraordinary Victorian and a remarkable young leader from my local community, Abraham Kuol, who has been named the 2026 Victorian Young Australian of the Year. Abraham is an associate research fellow and PhD candidate in criminology at Deakin University’s Alfred Deakin institute. His research explores the experiences of African Australian communities in our justice system, generating real-world insights that are helping to drive reform and most importantly to build hope.

Beyond his academic work, Abraham is a tireless community advocate and mentor to many. He co-founded the very successful Black Rhinos, which started off as basketball – I think it is now a soccer club as well – and which is based in my electorate. It gives at-risk young people a sense of belonging and purpose, as well as positive role models, and has been delivering extraordinary things over many years now. As a director of the Sandown Lions Football Club, he also opens doors for young Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds to pursue their sporting dreams. Abraham is a Westpac social change fellow and a quiet achiever whose impact speaks volumes. He has helped raise an incredible $3.5 million for programs supporting African Australian families and justice-involved youth, and he continues to advise community organisations and government on how we can build a stronger, safer and more inclusive community. I want to congratulate Abraham. He is a powerhouse, and we are all so proud of him across the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, which have overwhelmingly been the beneficiaries of his work.