Alex Dekker
Alex Dekker is a humanitarian worker and founder of the Australian food charity Alex Makes Meals.
Alex Dekker | |
|---|---|
 Alex Dekker (left) at a fundraiser | |
| Born | March 31, 2000 Melbourne |
| Occupations | Humanitarian and entrepreneur |
| Organization | Alex Makes Meals |
| Website | adekker.com |
In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dekker started the food charity inspired by helping his sister, a doctor. The demand for meals quickly outgrew the capacity of the then 19-year-old university student, so he gathered a team of volunteers and founded the charity Alex Makes Meals. The charity expanded its attentions to include homeless people and other support groups.[1][2][3]
Dekker initially left his university course to run the charity at the peak of 2020, although he has since finished studies at the University of Melbourne in the Bachelor Of Commerce.[4][5]
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Melbourne Awards | Community Champion (COVID-19 response) | Finalist[6] |
| 2022 | Victorian Young Australian of the Year | — | Nominated[7][8] |
| 2022 | Premier's Sustainability Award | Community Champion, Healthy and Fair Society | Won[9][10] |
| 2023 | Banksia Foundation National Sustainability Awards | Young Changemaker | Won[11] |
| 2024 | Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia | Social Impact | Listed[12] |
| 2024 | Melbourne Awards | Young Melburnian of the Year | Won[13][14] |
| 2025 | Herald Sun Future Victoria | 25 Under 25 | Listed[15] |
| 2025 | Forbes 30 Under 30 Australia | Social Impact | Listed[16][17] |
| 2026 | University of Melbourne Alumni of Distinction Awards | Rising Star for Young Alumni | Won[18] |
References
- ↑ "Meet the 20-year-old making meals for our frontline health workers". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 May 2020.
- ↑ Maguire, Mercedes. "Thanks A Million campaign: Alex Makes Meals founder Alex Dekker nominated". Herald Sun.
- ↑ "How a 20-year-old quit uni to make 55,000 free meals for medicos in Melbourne's lockdown". SBS Language. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "From lasagne for his doctor sister to thousands of meals for health workers". SBS Food. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ Nobel, Emma (2024-11-06). "Alex Dekker". FBE Centenary. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "Community heroes announced as finalists in Melbourne Awards". Mirage News. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Nominees for the 2022 Victoria Australian of the Year Awards Announced". National Australia Day Council. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Alex Dekker". Australian of the Year Awards. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Sustainability Champions Recognised At Awards" (Press release). Premier of Victoria. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Alex Makes Meals: 2022 Winner – Healthy and Fair Society". Sustainability Victoria. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "National Winners and Finalists 2023". Banksia Foundation. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the Australians on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2024". Forbes Australia. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "City's finest crowned at Melbourne Awards" (Press release). City of Melbourne. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ Duncan, Eloise (11 November 2024). "Melburnian of the Year and Young Melburnian of the Year winners announced". Melbourning. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Future Victoria: The 25 Victorians under 25 to watch". Herald Sun. 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Forbes Australia unveils 2025 30 Under 30 list of young innovators". Mi3. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Here is Forbes Australia's 30 Under 30 list for 2025". Mumbrella. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Honouring Leaders and Future Changemakers at the 2026 Foundation Dinner". University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 23 April 2026.