Johnathan Thurston humbled by Human Rights award

Rugby league star Johnathan Thurston has been awarded a human rights medal at a formal ceremony in Sydney.

Thurston today received the Australian Human Rights Commission's medal in recognition of his ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Queensland Australian of the Year for 2018, who is one of the country's most accomplished NRL players, has championed Indigenous education and accommodation.

Today, the North Queensland Cowboys co-captain wiped away tears on stage while declaring he was "truly humbled" to receive the award.

"This far outweighs what I've achieved on the field," he said at the ceremony.

The ambassador for NRL Cowboys House, a home for 50 Indigenous students from remote North Queensland, accepted the medal with one of the students on stage.

"What I'm most passionate about is my culture and the future generations of my people," Thurston said.

Every year the Commission's Human Rights Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of individuals and organisations in protecting human rights and freedoms in Australia.