MEET two men who are changing Logan’s story. One will represent Queensland at the National Australia Council’s Australian of the Year awards in Canberra on January 25. The other was a contender.
Regents Park father of four Elijah Buol (pictured left), named Queensland’s local hero, helps young and disadvantaged refugees and migrants find their way in Australian society.
He is a criminologist and director of the Ethnic Communities Council Queensland.
Mr Buol came to Australia as child refugee hoping to realise his potential and took every opportunity that came his way. His string of degrees include Master of Law, Master of Justice in Intelligence and a Bachelor of Human Services.
He is studying Juris Doctor at the Australian National University. He gives back as a volunteer.
Tony Sharp (pictured right) was a contender to become Queensland’s Australian of the Year. The head of Substation 33, Youth and Family Services self-supporting training arm, converts e-trash into e-treasure, gets young and disadvantaged job seekers work ready and put more than 100 into real jobs in the outside world over two years.
Mr Sharp was delighted to be beaten by Jon Rouse, a detective inspector who made it his life’s work to protect children from predators. He said it was an honour to be in the same room with a nominee and other Queensland’s contenders – 16 in all. A decade ago Mr Sharp mowed lawns for a living.
Mr Sharp was back at work on the weekend, hosting young wannabe Logan entrepreneurs who had pitched in a start-up competition. Twenty tried their luck, five ideas were selected for group work. One will become a start-up.
Mr Buol joins other state and territory winners at the national awards in Canberra on January 25. Mr Sharp says it could not happen to a nicer bloke. Both are winners.
