Congratulations Giles Gunesekera (OH 1991)

The OHA congratulates Giles Gunesekera (OH 1991) on his awarding of an Order of Australia Medal for contribution to social welfare and community services. Giles’ life in community service started with his Mum, delivering Meals on Wheels to the Elderly at the age of 7. Yesterday’s recognition with an Order of Australia is fitting considering the incredible amount of time he has spent volunteering and on boards. Giles commented “I have volunteered and served on many Boards, but I have received so much more in return. Volunteering has provided me with new skills and more importantly the opportunity to be surrounded by diverse people and organisations doing extraordinary things. I am thankful for the life that I have been gifted and believe that every human being is special but sadly injustice and discrimination endures”

Giles has served a large number of organisations that more recently have included Amnesty International, University of Technology (Sydney), The Sunrise Project and Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities (VACD USA).

Giles is a proud migrant and has a huge appreciation for the sacrifices that his parents made – “My parents left their country of birth in Sri Lanka to seek a better life in Australia and I will always be grateful for the enormous sacrifice they made for their family.”