Our nation celebrates Australia Day on the 26th January each year, being the date in 1788 that European settlement first commenced with the arrival of the First Fleet [of convicts] in Sydney, NSW. Over recent years in particular, there has been much debate over whether that date is now the appropriate date for such a recognition., principally in view of the fact, that upon their arrival, the new ‘settlers’ found an Indigenous population which had been in Australia for up to 60,000 years. To many, the day has been referred to as ‘Invasion Day’, and the celebration of 26th January is not inclusive of all peoples in this country. Many will argue to the contrary, however, be that as it may, just like the eventual creation of a Republic, I think there will eventually be a change of date, which will hopefully be considered a more inclusive date selection by all.
Meanwhile, thirty-two inspirational Australians were named as the national finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards, with the winners announced in Canberra on the evening of 25th January. Looking at past results, and current nominations, it would be difficult to argue that inclusiveness is not a consideration.
The National Australia Day Council describes the Australian of the Year as a program by the Council each year to celebrate the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating an inclusive, harmonious and more resilient Australia. The Awards honour an exceptional and diverse group of highly respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.
Each of the national finalists have been nominated for an Australian of the Year Award by the National Australia Day Council, through each of the States and Territories, due to their impact and achievement in a range of sectors. These sectors include science and medicine, social and community projects, human rights advocacy, social entrepreneurship, sustainability and contributions to the pandemic response.
Each State and Territory award recipient was announced at local ceremonies. These Australians are now in consideration for the 2022 overall Australian of the Year Awards.
Currently, the selection committees refer to three main criteria when considering nominees:
- Demonstrated excellence in their field;
- Significant contribution to the Australian community and nation; and.
- An inspirational role model for the Australian community.
In addition, a fourth award, the Local Hero award acknowledges a significant contribution at local community level.
These were the thirty-two nominations from the respective States and Territories.
2022 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
ACT Australian of the Year: Patrick (Patty) Mills. Basketball player and Indigenous rights advocate.
NSW Australian of the Year: Professor Veena Sahajwalla. Founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology at the University of New South Wales.
NT Australian of the Year: Leanne Liddle. Director of the Aboriginal Justice Unit.
Queensland Australian of the Year: Sue and Lloyd Clarke. Founders of Small Steps 4 Hannah.
SA Australian of the Year: Professor Helen Marshall. Vaccination researcher.
Tasmania Australian of the Year: Craig Leeson. Documentary filmmaker and journalist.
Victoria Australian of the Year: Dylan Alcott OAM. Athlete, paralympian, philanthropist, media commentator and advocate.
WA Australian of the Year: Paul Litherland. Cyber safety educator and campaigner.
2022 SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
ACT Senior Australian of the Year: Valmai Dempsey. Volunteer at St John Ambulance.
NSW Senior Australian of the Year: Abla Kadous. President of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Association.
NT Senior Australian of the Year: Robyne Burridge OAM. Disability services advocate and Founder of Focus-A-Bility.
Queensland Senior Australian of the Year: Dr Colin Dillon AM APM. Australia’s first Indigenous police officer.
SA Senior Australian of the Year: Mark Le Messurier. Educator, counsellor and author.
Tasmania Senior Australian of the Year: Bruce French AO. Agricultural scientist and Founder of Food Plants International.
Victoria Senior Australian of the Year: Gaye Hamilton. Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University.
WA Senior Australian of the Year: Janice Standen. President of Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA.
2022 YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
ACT Young Australian of the Year: Sean Dondas. Former Board Director at CanTeen.
NSW Young Australian of the Year: Dr Daniel Nour. Founder of Street Side Medics.
NT Young Australian of the Year: Sizolwenkosi Fuyana. Businesswoman, podcaster and youth advocate.
Queensland Young Australians of the Year: Dr Tahnee Bridson. Founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support.
SA Young Australian of the Year: Dr Trudy Lin. Special Needs Dentistry consultant at Adelaide Dental Hospital.
Tasmania Young Australian of the Year: Kaytlyn Johnson. Youth leader and singer-songwriter.
Victoria Young Australian of the Year: Ahmed Hassan. Co-founder and executive director of Youth Activating Youth.
WA Young Australian of the Year: Kendall Whyte. Founder and CEO of the Blue Tree project.
2022 AUSTRALIA’S LOCAL HERO
ACT Local Hero: Luke Ferguson. Youth support worker at The Woden School.
NSW Local Hero: Shanna Whan. Founder and CEO of Sober in the Country.
NT Local Hero: Rebecca Forrest. Event organiser and fundraiser.
Queensland Local Hero: Saba Abraham. Community leader, founder and Manager of social enterprise Mu’ooz Restaurant & Catering.
SA Local Hero: Monique Bareham. President of Lymphoedema Association SA Inc.
Tasmania Local Hero: Kimberley (Kim) Smith APM.Community volunteer with the Rotary Club of Sullivans Cove.
Victoria Local Hero: Leo op den Brouw. Volunteer with the Mallacoota State Emergency Service.
WA Local Hero: Craig Hollywood. Founder and CEO of Short Back & Sidewalks.
Listening to the stories of each of the above-named, at the Award ceremony, one can imagine a very difficult choice from a broad range of inspirational and dedicated human beings. However, as with everything, there has to be a winner, and on this occasion, the respective Winners this year from the foregoing lists were:
2022 Australian of the Year
Dylan Alcott OAM
Athlete, paralympian, philanthropist, media commentator and advocate
VICSTATE RECIPIENTAUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR2022
As a teenager, Dylan Alcott hated being in a wheelchair because he didn’t see anyone like him in mainstream media. Then sport changed everything.
A gold medal at the Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball preceded three more in Paralympic competition after a cross-code switch to tennis. Now, with 23 quad wheelchair Grand Slam titles and a Newcombe Medal, Dylan Alcott recently became the first male in history, in any form of tennis, to win the Golden Slam.
Amid his training and competition load as a world-class athlete, Dylan notes that his most profound impact has come from beyond the field of play. He founded the Dylan Alcott Foundation to provide scholarships and grant funding to marginalised Australians with a disability.
He also authored his best-selling autobiography, Able, and co-founded Get Skilled Access. Further, Dylan’s AbilityFest is Australia’s first and only inclusive, fully accessible music festival. In realising his childhood dream, Dylan holds several high-profile media roles spanning TV, radio and podcasting.
A passionate ‘off the cuff’ speech by Dylan, who earlier in the afternoon, at completing a successful semi final match at the Australian Open, modestly stated that ‘I’m just making up the numbers in Canberra tonight’.
2022 Senior Australian of the Year
Valmai Dempsey
Volunteer at St John Ambulance
SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR2022
Starting as a cadet volunteer while still in primary school, for more than 50 years Valmai (Val) Dempsey has dedicated her life to St John Ambulance. She’s one of the Australian Capital Territory’s longest-serving volunteers and, year after year, she still dedicates more hours than any other volunteer.
In 2020, Val faced her biggest challenge yet as a St John Ambulance volunteer – first with the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, she led 40 fellow volunteers as they supported fire-affected communities during the emergency that stretched over many weeks.
Then when the pandemic hit, Val displayed unwavering commitment to the St John team, despite heavy impacts on team morale. Without hesitation, she personally contacted every volunteer to check they were ‘doing OK’ in terms of welfare, mental health and morale.
It is these tireless commitments to St John that has led many in the community to know her lovingly as ‘Aunty Val’.
This lady is a passionate advocate for all learner drivers to be required to undertake a first aid course prior to being granted a licence.. At accident scenes, that attribute for a first on the scene bystander, can make the difference between life and death. Powerful inspiration.
2022 Young Australian of the Year
Dr Daniel Nour
Founder of Street Side Medics
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR2022
Identifying a gap in the healthcare of vulnerable people in New South Wales, Dr Daniel Nour founded Street Side Medics in August 2020. It’s a not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service for people experiencing homelessness.
With 145 volunteers, and four clinics across New South Wales, Street Side Medics has changed the lives of more than 300 patients. It has treated many communicable and non-communicable illnesses, dealt with neglected medical needs, and detected conditions that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. This includes diabetes, thyroid disorders, hepatitis C, HIV, heart disease and cancer.
Despite working full time at Royal North Shore Hospital, Daniel has rarely missed a clinic across the four sites since Street Side Medics launched. He volunteers his afternoons to ensure the clinics are run smoothly and patients are receiving the care they deserve.
With his leadership and social consciousness, Daniel is committed to making a real difference to the lives of many Australians. He’s also making significant improvements to society.
A truly dedicated volunteer in this service basically directed at the homeless
2022 Australia’s Local Hero
Shanna Whan
Founder and CEO of Sober in the Country
LOCAL HERO2022
Shanna Whan is single-handedly creating radical social impact and change around how we discuss and use alcohol in rural Australia.
When Shanna almost lost her life to alcohol addiction in 2015, giving up drinking was just the start. What began as volunteer work to help others locally, evolved into a grassroots charity called Sober in the Country (SITC) which now has a national reach and offers peer support, powerful broadscale advocacy and education.
Shanna donated about 20,000 hours to the cause and now travels on invitation as the spokesperson for SITC. She has appeared on multiple major national media platforms, in person, in paddocks and at conferences.
She courageously shared her harrowing journey to sobriety on Australian Story in 2019. Now, through the national charity, she is amplifying the essential, life-saving message and charity campaign that it is always “OK to say no” to booze.
A passionate and emotional acceptance speech.
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