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UNSW student Khushaal Vyas has won the 2017 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Youth Medal.

Khushaal, who is in his fourth year of a dual Law/Arts degree and is a Co-president of the UNSW Law Society, received the medal at the recent NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner.

The award recognises the “valuable role of a young person in promoting intercultural dialogue and co-operation”.

Khushaal was a member of the Fairfield City Council Youth Advisory Committee who worked on planning and delivering a number of festivals in the local government area. He also advocated for the $7 million Fairfield Youth and Community Centre. 

Khushaal ran the Cancer Council Relay for Life, Bring It On! Festival, Cabramatta Moon Festival and a youth conference. He brought the voice of youth to the Council and provided input into the development and launch of the Youth and Community Centre.

He was also a key note youth speaker during the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to NSW.

Judging by his video on the awards website, he also has some pretty slick dance moves.

In 2015 Khushaal was one of 10 UNSW Law students who travelled to central west NSW to learn more about the Wiradjuri Aboriginal community and subsequently made a documentary about their trip.

Since then, he has made regular visits to Dubbo with other law students during semester breaks, speaking to high school students about possible careers in law and engaging with law enforcement agencies, solicitors, Aboriginal elders, community groups and service providers on issues that affect the region.

A major focus of the trips are legal education seminars which relate to police powers and criminal law, as well as human rights, public law issues, cyber bullying and harassment.