You’d need a book to write about all of the achievements of Liverpool’s Australia Day ambassador for 2016.
Dr Jamal Rifi is a general practitioner with many years experience as a community spokesperson and advocate.
His most recent honours include being named 2015 Australian Father of the Year.
A year earlier, Dr Rifi picked up two major honours.
He received the 2014 National Fair Go Medal as well the Australian of the Year title from The Australian newspaper.
Dr Rifi will join Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun and other local dignitaries on Tuesday, January 26 when the town celebrates Australia Day at Woodward Park from 1pm. Included in the day’s program are award presentations for both Australia Day and Order of Liverpool honours and a citizenship ceremony.
As it’s his grassroots work that really stands out in his resume, Dr Rifi will also enjoy meeting the ordinary Liverpool citizens who show their pride by attending on the day.
As the president of Lakemba Sport and Recreation Club, Dr Rifi brought cricket back to Lakemba, tripled the number of karate and soccer players, graduated 22 swimming instructors with the Royal Life Saving Society and oversaw the training of 17 young men and women of Arabic background as Surf Lifesavers.
Dr Rifi also makes himself available to speak at local high school assemblies.
He is a former member of the Immigration Minister’s Advisory Council on Asylum Seekers and Detention.
Dr Rifi also served on the NSW Police Commissioner’s Multicultural Council.
He was a member of the NSW Expert Advisory Group on Drugs and Alcohol and also a former Community Relations Commissioner for a Multicultural NSW.
In 2007 he was the Recipient of a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Award for the promotion and advancement of human rights in the Australian community and NSW Local Hero of the year.
