WHO will be named this year’s Australians of the Year?
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All be revealed on January 25, the eve of Australia Day, when the 32 finalists from all states and territories come together at Parliament House in Canberra. The awards are presented in four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian, Young Australian and Local Hero.
Current Australian of the Year, world leader in stem cell research Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim said the award had given him the opportunity to promote science on an even wider stage: “A simple nomination from someone who knew of my research work has resulted in an enormous honour.”
National Australia Day Council chief executive Jenny Barbour said this year’s finalists were once again inspiring people representing many facets of Australian society. The finalists are ...
Australian of the Year: David David, craniofacial surgeon (SA); Dion Devow, entrepreneur and community leader (ACT); Samuel Johnson, actor and fundraiser for cancer research (VIC); Scott Rankin, theatre director, writer and arts charity leader (TAS); Dr Bo Reményi, paediatric cardiologist (NT); Michelle Simmons, professor in quantum physics (NSW); Johnathan Thurston, indigenous mentor and NRL player (QLD); Dr Tracy Westerman, psychologist (WA)
Senior Australian of the Year: Dr Dimity Dornan, hearing health specialist and bionics advocate (QLD); Dr Graham Farquhar, prize-winning biophysicist (ACT); Kathy Guthadjaka, educator and pioneering academic (NT); Dr Catherine Hamlin, pioneering surgeon (NSW); Kathleen Mazzella, women’s health champion (WA); Tony Scherer, organic farmer (TAS); Barbara Spriggs, campaigner to prevent abuse of aged care patients (SA); Paul Zimmet, scientist and diabetes specialist (VIC)
Young Australian of the Year: Macinley Butson, scientist and inventor (NSW); Zack Bryers, youth and outreach worker (ACT); Kyran Dixon, role model for Indigenous youth (SA); Kevin Kadirgamar, refugee and migration lawyer (NT); Samantha Kerr, sportsperson (WA); Dr Jessica Manuela, dentist helping Indigenous communities (TAS); Georgie Stone, campaigner for transgender youth (VIC); Phillip Thompson, veterans’ champion (QLD)
Australia’s Local Hero: Judi Adams. breast cancer fundraiser (TAS); Mat Bowtell. engineer and prosthetic limb innovator (VIC); Andrew Cosi Costello. charity founder and community champion (SA); Bettina Danganbarr. anti-domestic violence campaigner (NT); Cr Peter Lyndon-James. addiction treatment specialist (WA); Pip Russell. children’s entertainer and innovator (QLD); Suzanne Tunks. dedicated supporter and fundraiser for sick kids (ACT); Eddie Woo. mathematics teacher (NSW).