AMES Australia board member Vedran Drakulic has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day honours list.

Vedran, who also Chief Executive Officer at Gandel Philanthropy, received his award for services to the community through a range of organisations, including AMES Australia.

He arrived in Australia as a refugee from war-torn Sarajevo in 1995.

Vedran dedicated his award to all people who have resettled in Australia and worked to make a better life for themselves and contribute to the nation.

“Working on the board of AMES Australia means I am truly giving back to this country through an organisation that means so much to many refugees and migrants through the work it does,” he said.

“On a daily basis, AMES Australia helps people to learn to navigate life in a new country and supports them to get on their feet as soon as possible so that they can start to contribute to this country,” Vedran said.

“I came as a refugee 25 years ago and was given a second chance. So for me it is very nice to come full circle and to be able to do something help people who have arrived more recently,” he said.

Vedran is also an Australia Day Ambassador and spent the day in Queenscliff with his family helping with the local ceremony including officiating at the citizenship ceremony.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth congratulated Vedrun on his OAM.

“It’s great to see someone who came to Australia as a refugee recognised for his contribution to the broader community and his work helping newly arrived migrants and refugees,” Cath said.

For images, interviews and more information please contact AMES Australia Media Advisor, Laurie Nowell at nowelll@ames.net.au on 03 9938 4031 or 0498 196 500.