Diane Kargas Bray AM has been named as the 2018 Canberra Citizen of the Year for her outstanding contribution to the Canberra community through her social enterprise and philanthropic work.

Ms Kargas Bray helped to establish Common Ground, which provides quality tenancies to people who have experienced homelessness and to low-income earners who are unable to access other affordable housing options.

She also advocates for people with disability and encourages the growth of new social businesses that employ people with intellectual disabilities. Her work with Hands Across Canberra has been instrumental in bringing together businesses, government and individuals to channel donations to local charities.

Ms Kargas Bray’s work has extended to roles with GreaterGood, Boundless, the Canberra Bushfire Recovery Appeal, the ACT Committee for the Fundraising Institute of Australia, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and as Chair of the Social Enterprise Taskforce at the Canberra Business Chamber.

The 2018 winner gives her time freely and is a mentor and role model to those who meet and work with her.

She joins a long list of deserving recipients who act for the good of the Canberra community without expectation of remuneration or reward, said Chief Minister Andrew Barr.