Local Hero Elijah to go to Canberra for Australia Day

Australia Day will be a special time for Logan father-of-four Elijah Buol when he flies to Canberra to find out if he is the winner of the national award.

Queensland's Local Hero for 2019 Elijah Buol, 33, at home at Regents Park.

AUSTRALIA DAY will be a special time for Logan father-of-four Elijah Buol.

Mr Buol and wife Ashol, will fly to Canberra to attend this year’s national Australia Day celebrations at Parliament House and a trip to Government House.

The passionate 33-year-old human rights advocate, criminologist is this year’s Queensland Local Hero of the Year.

Queensland's Local Hero for 2019 Elijah Buol, 33, with his family. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

But when he goes to Canberra, he will find out if he has won the national prize when he attends the Australian of the Year Awards.

“This honour confirmed to me that Australia is a great country with abundant opportunities and is where aspirations are realised. This award acts as an inspiration to those young people, particularly from refugee and migrant communities whom their hopes have been overshadowed by the challenges of integration and settlement in Australia. It is my wish that it will encourage them to exercise their resilient, aim high, participate and maintain Australian values embedded in our vibrant diversity.”

Wife Ashol said she was proud of her husband’s work to help society’s most needy. “It is a privilege and honour to be able to accompany him to Canberra for the Australian of the Year on Australia Day,” she said.

The awards will be announced tomorrow, Friday, January 25 at 7.30pm.