David Burnett Award winner named
NSW Young Labor president Michael Buckland has announced the fourth recipient of the David Burnett Memorial Award – named after the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) National Vice-President and Young Labor activist who died in Jordan in 2008.
Joe Efrem Blackshield
Mr Buckland announced Joe Efrem Blackshield will receive the award at the Young Labor State conference on August 4-5 in Sydney.
Previous recipients include Glen Falkenstein and Basim Shamaon.
The award is given to a young Labor activist in recognition of their work as a volunteer and promoting community harmony.
David Burnett died in January 2008 in a rockslide at Jordan’s Petra archaeological site. He was 22 at the time and was a rising star in Young Labor. He also served as an AUJS NSW State President and national AUJS Vice-President.
“Joe Blackshield was instrumental in establishing Young Labor’s Community Speak program, which introduced Young Labor leadership to the Great Synagogue. He has also formed links between Young Labor and Jewish students organisations on campuses.
“There are now plans to hold a similar event with Sydney’s Muslim community.
“Joe Blackshield has a proven commitment to the promotion of tolerance in our society. I am proud that we will be presenting Joe with this award,” Mr Buckland said.
