Premier's Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award

Carmel Benjamin AM

Leadership

Radiating compassion and a powerful sense of justice, Carmel has dedicated more than 50 years to creating a more egalitarian society by championing the rights of people using the criminal justice system. Over the years she has volunteered as a victim counsellor, official prison visitor, board member, ambassador and consultant on ministerial advisory committees, as well as establishing vital initiatives.

In 1980 she founded Court Network, a volunteer-based organisation devoted to the welfare of court users at Prahran Courthouse. Thanks to Carmel’s ongoing involvement, the organisation now helps more than 190,000 court users a year across 36 courts throughout Victoria and Queensland.