From hard yards to national honour

Their significant service to the community through social reforms and human rights is deeply personal, shaped by decades of courage, community and conviction.

“It’s a real honour to be recognised,” they said.

“I think it acknowledges that early work we did in Shepparton, when it really was the hard yards.”

Allen’s journey began long before titles and public roles.

Growing up openly queer in a regional community, they faced widespread discrimination.

At 18, those early injustices became the foundation for a lifetime of standing up for others.

“I was discriminated against myself; you get a choice what you’re going to do with that,” they said.

“Once I could advocate for myself, I believed I needed to use the privileges I had to advocate for others.”

For more than 35 years, Allen has championed the rights of minority groups across Victoria, from LGBTIQ equality to First Nations justice, disability rights and protection for older Victorians.

Much of their voice was first heard in Shepparton, where they spent 15 years building services that reshaped regional support for young people.

Beginning as a regional support worker with the Department of Health in the early 1990s, they saw firsthand the isolation faced by same-sex-attracted young people in rural communities.

That insight then led them to found Cutting Edge in 1996, serving as the chief executive until 2010.

Through UnitingCare Australia, they also founded The Diversity Project, a rural first service dedicated to supporting same-sex-attracted young people, which has now expanded across Victoria.

“Back then, it was the first rural service of its kind,” they said.

“Now they’re everywhere.”

Their commitment to regional inclusion continues today through their role on the Greater Shepparton Cultural Inclusion Roundtable, where they help guide local strategies to strengthen belonging and equity across the region.

But visibility in a regional town came at a cost, with Allen facing great hostility.

“I was physically assaulted. My house was vandalised. My car was graffitied. I suffered a lot of homophobia,” they said.

Choosing to remain openly queer in Shepparton was not just an act of authenticity, but instead a deliberate act of leadership and strategy for change.

“People need strong role models. You can’t change hearts and minds if everything stays in the closet,” they said.

Describing their leadership philosophy as “revolutionary patience”, Allen forefronts the slow, steady work of shifting attitudes, laws and lives.

“You don’t change hearts or legislation overnight, it’s a long journey and none of it has been done alone,” they said.

They credit many people along the way, especially partner in advocacy and life Kaye Bradshaw.

Today, Allen is thriving as Victoria’s Human Rights Commissioner, leading the rollout of the state’s new anti-vilification and hate speech reforms.

With one clear mission; to ensure every Victorian knows their rights and helps stamp out hate wherever it appears.

Knowing their work continues to spark real progress only strengthens their resolve.

“It fires me up to keep going,” they said.

And when asked about their legacy, their answer was simple: “I would hope people said that they gave voice to the voiceless.”