John Kamara escaped from war in Sierra Leone and lived in a refugee camp in Ghana for 5 years. John arrived in Tasmania as a refugee in 2004. Since that time John have done everything he can to integrate peacefully into society, to show initiative and develop constructive leadership skills based on a belief in human rights and the value of social cohesion. After navigating the complexities of healing and resettlement John have continued to give back and have contributed in multiple ways to the local and national community as well as to health and educational projects that he has initiated and supported both in Tasmania and in Africa.

John is the co-founder and President of the Culturally Diverse Alliance Tasmania (CDAT), an organisation which delivers advocacy, mentoring and education and promotes social cohesion. John also co-founded the African Communities Council of Tasmania. It strives to build relationships between African Australians and the wider community.

Sitting on multiple boards and involved in many community groups, John helps to highlight the systemic disadvantages that migrants face, such as racism, labour exploitation and the need for recognition of their overseas qualifications. He also assists with migrants’ resumes and their search for jobs and housing, John is active in multicultural choirs and takes many other roles in the community.

John is the 2023 Tasmania Australian of the Year. John was also appointed by the Federal Government as a reference Group member in the current Multicultural Framework Review. John was also recently a candidate in both the Lower and Upper House State elections in Tasmania.

John inspires not only members of the CALD community but continue to inspired and mentored leaders across Australia, creating opportunities that make a lasting impact across Australia and internationally.

John and his wife Mavis have also established Kamara’s Inclusion Gateway Services (KIGS) and the Kamara’s Heart Foundation. Both charities help provide initial support to refugees and migrants her in Tasmania, and educational resources for school children in Sierra Leone and Ghana