INSPIRATION: Former Sudanese child soldier is named NSW Australian of the Year

Deng Adut

A former child soldier and refugee turned criminal lawyer has been crowned New South Wales Australian of the Year. 

Deng Adut was recognised for his contribution to reducing discrimination, helping juvenile offenders and promoting inclusiveness when he received the top honour from Premier Mike Baird in Sydney on Monday. 

The 33-year-old, from Sudan, was forced to fight as a child soldier at the tender age of six before he was smuggled out of the country and brought to Australia - the nation he now regards as his 'home'.

'You are not Australian because you are born in Australia. 

You are Australian because Australia is born in you,' he said, re-wording an African saying. The dedicated student taught himself to read English at 15, studied law and now runs AC Law Group in Sydney, with a focus on fighting for members of the Sudanese community from his home in Blacktown in Sydney's west.

The modest award recipient said he had never anticipated being recognised on such a large scale for his efforts in the legal field. Read full story Dailymail