AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 

BIOGRAPHIES - STATE & TERRITORY FINALISTS

ACT FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - ACT

Professor Hilary Charlesworth AM

Human rights champion

As well as holding two professorial appointments at the Australian National University, Professor Hilary Charlesworth is the Director of the Centre for International Governance and Justice and has held visiting appointments at Washington & Lee School of Law, Harvard, and Global Law School. She is also Patron of the Australian Capital Territory Women's Legal Service. Skilfully juggling those roles, and more, Hilary has led the development of international human rights law over more than twenty years of research and advocacy as an academic, adviser, and ordinary citizen. She has worked on such issues as the relevance of feminist theory to understanding international law, the structure of the international human rights system, and the protection of human rights in Australia. Two years ago she was awarded a Federation Fellowship for a project on building democracy and justice after conflict. Hilary's contribution to the application of human rights in developed countries and the developing world has been outstanding.

Dr Clive Hamilton

Wellbeing activist

Dr Clive Hamilton is the Executive Director of The Australia Institute, an independent policy research centre based in Canberra. Trained in economics and politics, he has published widely on development, trade policy, industry economics, environmental issues, community values, and ethics. He is best known for his work on climate change policy, ecological tax reform, and the follies of economic growth. Described in the media as Australia's leading environmental economist, Clive has published extensively, his most recent books being the best sellers Growth Fetish and Affluenza - When Too Much is Never Enough. He pulls no punches, stating that our whole society is addicted to overconsumption as we aspire to celebrity lifestyle at the cost of family, friends, and personal fulfilment and that, despite sustained economic growth, we're not any happier. Clive appears regularly in the media promoting his cure - ignore the advertisers, reduce consumer spending, and recapture time for the things that really matter.

Lin Hatfield Dodds

Social justice advocate

Lin Hatfield Dodds is a leading advocate of social justice in Australia. As President of the Australian Council of Social Services, Director of UnitingCare Australia, and Chair of the Australian Capital Territory Community Inclusions Board, Lin works tirelessly for low income and disadvantaged Australians. Her advocacy is effective because she is so well informed, respectful, and professional. She is also incredibly energetic and brings a great sense of humour to her work. As a working mother, Lin is a role model and inspiration for working women and demonstrates the benefits of a sensible work/life balance. She is renowned for her ability to engage with a wide range of individuals and groups and is respected nationally for helping to achieve better outcomes for people. Lin's contribution was recognised by an International Women's Day Award in 2002 and in 2003 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study anti-poverty strategies and welfare delivery overseas.

Professor David Ellwood

Researcher, healer, teacher

Professor David Ellwood is the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Australian National University Medical School, Associate Dean of the Canberra Clinical School, and a senior specialist at the Canberra Hospital. He is also Director of the Fetal Medicine Unit, which provides high-risk pregnancy management in the Canberra region. David is recognised nationally and internationally for his skills as an obstetrician and he has an active research program and is involved in training young doctors. He combines clinical prowess with a gentle, caring, and humane manner. As if this wasn't enough to keep him busy, David is also a father of nine, plays soccer at a competitive level, and coaches one of his daughter's soccer teams. There are few with his energy and skills in so many aspects of life and he is an asset to the Australian Capital Territory.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - ACT

Professor Linda Reaby AM

Breast cancer awareness pioneer

From when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, Linda Reaby dedicated her professional career to raising public awareness of the condition and funding for breast cancer research. She wrote the proposal for Australia's Breast Cancer Day and lobbied extensively for political support for what has become a major national annual event since 1994. Due to Linda's tremendous efforts, breast cancer is now in the national arena of public attention and receiving more funding for research and public education. Linda has a remarkable record of securing competitive grants - more than $8 million, including one for making higher degrees more accessible to working nurses. As a breast cancer survivor, nurse educator, and academic, Linda developed a decision-making model for health professionals to ascertain whether women are making informed decisions about their treatment alternatives. Linda has published extensively in international scientific journals and presented papers at national and international conferences.

Professor Richard Telford AM

Sports science researcher

Professor Richard (Dick) Telford has been an untiring contributor to Australian sports science, education, athletics, and sports coaching. For 25 years he has combined his research work in exercise physiology, immunology, haematology, and nutrition with hands-on science and coaching of our Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes. Currently as Research Director of the Commonwealth Institute Lifestyle of our Kids project, Dick is concentrating on the effect of lifestyle, particularly physical activity, on children. Dick is the visionary architect of this internationally funded, fifty-year study designed to monitor the health and wellbeing of primary school students throughout their lifespan and is the catalyst for an enthusiastic, collaborative team of over fifty practitioners, academics, and experts in their field. Dick has published extensively, including about 100 peer reviewed research articles and several books on preventive medicine and sports science, and was awarded an Order of Australia in 1992 for his contribution to sports and sports science.

Piphal Engly

Culture guardian

Piphal Engly is considered among the Cambodian-Australian community to be like a mother, an older sister, a loveable aunt, and a dear grandmother. Over many years she has made a significant contribution to the maintenance of Cambodian cultural identity and has used her prominence and influence to encourage young people to pursue an education. Piphal arrived in Australia thirty years ago with very little English. After being exploited as an employee because she was unaware of her rights, she learnt English, completed her studies, and worked as a teacher assistant. Upset by witnessing racism shown towards Cambodian students, Piphal set herself the goal of making them sufficiently literate to keep up with their schoolwork. She succeeded, and from then on she has championed education as the path to harmony and tolerance. Piphal maintains her links with the country of her birth through her support of disadvantaged women in Cambodia.

Helen McLaughlin

Indigenous services coordinator

Helen McLaughlin has worked tirelessly for Indigenous communities throughout her working life and well into her retirement, most recently in her innovative grey nomads program. Through Senior Volunteers for Indigenous Communities, she orchestrates the services of Australia's travelling retires to donate their time and expertise gained over their working lives to the benefit of remote communities. Former teachers, builders, doctors, mechanics, and many others take time out of their retirement travels to lend a hand to those in need. Helen is also well known for her Christmas and Easter lunches, where she provides a warm, family atmosphere for many who without her generosity would spend the day alone. She recently finished her own 6,000 km trek, during which she worked on fund-raising stalls for Frontier Services. Helen's passion is to be an example for older Australian women showing the world that senior women can be strong and full of life.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - ACT

Melissa Aveyard, 21

Recovery supporter

Melissa Aveyard won the 2004 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award for her initiative and commitment to assisting others, in particular young people with a disability. She wasn't able to accept the award in person because she was on her way to England to work voluntarily for six months as a carer in a home for 25 adults with cerebral palsy. Two years later, Melissa suffered a setback of her own - she had a stroke and she was only nineteen. Since then she has been campaigning for a support group in Canberra for young stroke survivors. She wants people to realise that strokes don't happen only to older people and she believes it is important for young sufferers to know they are not alone. Through her forming a social group, Melissa has enabled others to share their concerns and triumphs with someone who understands where they are coming from.

Julia Collin, 21

Young leader

Julia Collin is a full-time Australian National University student who has contributed to the 2005, 2006, and 2007 National Youth Weeks. She recently worked with the Youth Coalition, the Australian Capital Territory's peak youth affairs body responsible for representing, promoting, and protecting the rights, interests, and wellbeing of people between 12 and 25 years of age. Julia helped organise this year's Walk Against Want, volunteered her time to Lifeline and Oxfam, and has established workshops on sustainable consumption. Previously she has worked for Energy Partners, an NGO that promotes energy efficiency, and Work-Ways, a community organisation that finds meaningful work for people with a mental disability. She now works for Youth for Leadership in Sustainable Consumption and is helping to promote Fair Trade Cuppa for Fair Trade Fortnight. When she graduates Julia intends to continue contributing to her community at the grassroots level and wants to analyse and influence the formulation of social policy.

Mei Shi Ni, 23

Community contributor

As well as being in her final year of her Commerce/Law degree at the ANU and working full-time, Mei Shi (Diana) Ni has for years been very busily involved in community work. She was one of eight Young Tourism Ambassadors campaigning as a volunteer promoting domestic tourism. She ran in the Queen's Baton Relay. She volunteered for a three-month stint at the Youth Legal Centre, providing advice on employment law and helping people who can't speak English well enough to handle legal problems. And she was the ACT young member on the National Planning Group for this year's National Youth Week. Diana has also been on the ACT Youth Advisory Council for the past two years and participated in an inquiry into lowering the voting age to sixteen. Because of her leadership potential and service to her community, Diana was nominated for the National Student Leadership Forum hosted by the Australian Parliament.

Xian Zhi Soon, 21

High achiever

Xian Zhi Soon is passionate about tackling issues affecting young people and being a catalyst for positive change. His belief in a compassionate and tolerant society forms a continuing theme in his work as a youth advocate. Even in his early high school days, Zhi was known as a bright young man keen to help others. His community service led to his being awarded a scholarship for three consecutive years. He was recognised in 2003 for his exceptional achievements as one of NSW's most outstanding students. Zhi was member of the National Youth Roundtable in 2003 and in 2005 joined the NSW Board of Studies, the youngest member ever appointed. Since moving to Canberra to complete his studies he has channelled his energy into developing the next generation of community leaders as co-founder of the Ashtyn Institute, a think-tank providing a forum for young people to engage in the public policy debate.

LOCAL HERO - ACT

Peter McEncroe

Dedicated volunteer

Peter McEncroe has been an active volunteer with the Australian Capital Territory State Emergency Service for more than thirty years. He has worked tirelessly through many major emergency incidents, including the Gudgenby fires, forensic searches of crime scenes, a plane crash, Sydney storm damage, Canberra bushfires and storms, Maitland floods, and the Victorian fires last year. Throughout two structural changes of the SES organisation Peter ensured that volunteer members' morale was kept high so that they remained effective in protecting their community. Peter is always professional in the way he deals with the public and his colleagues and he makes sure that young and new members are given the opportunity to expand their skills and take on more responsibility. For his dedication and commitment he was awarded honorary life membership of the SES in 2006. It is not just one incident but his commitment over many years that make Peter a true local hero.

Walter Blumenfeld

Community volunteer

Walter (Wally) Blumenfeld has nearly thirty years of volunteering experience in the Canberra region and beyond. After service as a merchant seaman and Army service in Borneo, Malaya, and Vietnam he contributed to his new community by joining the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services. He has kept up an exhausting pace ever since, from helping contain the bushfires in 2003 to more recently responding to the Newcastle and Maitland floods. Wally is also a resuscitation instructor with the Australian Capital Territory St John Ambulance Community Care Branch, has worked as a guide at the Australian War Memorial for ten years, and performs volunteer cross country ski patrols on the Perisher snowfields. Wally is a competitive skier, has completed the Sydney to Wollongong bike ride four times, and enjoys sea kayaking and bush walking. His community contribution includes providing Norwegian and Swedish translation services. Wally's secret is to keep active, stay abreast of events overseas, and participate.

Holly Northam

Organ donor advocate

Holly Northam's job description as an Australian Capital Territory Organ Donor Coordinator based at Canberra Hospital tells only part of the story. The other part is how she goes about doing it. Holly's role must be one of the most difficult anyone could take on - following the death of a loved one she talks to the family about organ donation. But Holly is herself a giver, one who brings out the best in those around her, colleagues, donors, and recipients. She is one of those people who through kindness, gentleness, patience, and a keen understanding of the human condition show strength, courage, and tenacity in times of enormous challenge. At the same time she provides hope and meaning to organ recipients who have been given a new chance of life. Holly's contribution has helped make the Australian Capital Territory's donor rate the highest in Australia and its rate of registered organ donors double the national average.

Dr Peter Sharp

Indigenous health practitioner

Peter Sharp is Medical Director of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service. Established in 1988 to provide a culturally safe and holistic health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding areas. He is their longest serving staff member. At first he travelled from Sydney every weekend to run a clinic and then took on home visits. He now runs clinics at local and regional correctional facilities and at Narrabundah Primary School, works with older people affected by alcohol and substance abuse, and trains other medical professionals in Aboriginal health. Peter has a high level of understanding of the complex health, social, emotional, and cultural needs of his patients. In return he is held in high esteem by the local Indigenous community.

NSW FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NSW

Professor Larissa Behrendt

Academic and writer

Professor Larissa Behrendt is Professor of Law and Indigenous Studies at the University of Technology Sydney and Director of the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning. Jumbanna provides a range of academic and cultural support to Indigenous students, whose number has grown in the past twelve years from two to 360. Larissa's academic credentials include a doctorate from Harvard Law School and she has worked as a practising lawyer in Aboriginal land claims and family law. She has also worked in Canada and at the UN with First Nation organisations. Larissa is very involved in the arts. She is a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art and a director of the Sydney Writers Festival and the Bangarra Dance Theatre. Larissa has written three books. Her first novel, Home, won several awards, including the David Uniapon Award in 2002 and in 2004 she was awarded a prestigious "Deadly" for her outstanding achievements in literature.

Professor Neville Hacker

Medical specialist and researcher

Professor Neville Hacker has saved the lives of many women with his surgical skills and understanding of gynaecological cancers. He gives women hope and reassurance at a very difficult and frightening time in their lives. As Director of the Gynaecological Cancer Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women and noted international authority, Neville travels the world to share his knowledge and skills with other specialists in his field in the hope that they can give women with the disease a better outcome. He is a former president of the International Gynaecological Cancer Society and, as an expert in clinical research, he is the medical adviser to GO Fund. helping that organisation direct basic research towards clinically relevant issues. Neville's groundbreaking research on ovarian cancer with his team at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research and the Royal has developed genetic profiling which will lead to more specific diagnosis and life-saving early detection.

Professor Christopher O'Brien AM

Medical specialist

Professor O'Brien has an international reputation in the management of head and neck melanoma, salivary gland tumours, cancer of the oral cavity, and metastatic cancer in the neck. He is the founder of the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society and was its president in 2004. Until he himself had to undergo treatment for a life-threatening tumour, Chris was Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre and Clinical Director of Cancer Services for the Sydney South West Area Health Service, covering more than a million people. He has been a mentor to innumerable medical trainees and an inspirational role model to his peers and those in the medical and allied health professions who have had the privilege of working with him. Chris has been the face of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital via the popular television show RPA and captured the nation's heart when news of his illness was broadcast.

Stephen Page

Pioneering choreographer

Stephen Page is an Indigenous dancer/choreographer who has achieved international recognition, bringing together the ancient and the modern with the Bangarra Dance Theatre. After graduating in 1983 he began a professional career as a dancer with the Sydney Dance Company. In 1988 he toured overseas with the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre and, after joining as principal choreographer, in 1991 was appointed artistic director of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. Under Stephen the company has developed a particular style of performance, drawing on both traditional and urban Aboriginal cultures. Stephen's prolific work includes choreographing the Sydney Olympics Games ceremonies, sell-out performances of Bush on Bangarra's Australian and US tours, a stint as Artistic Director of the Adelaide Arts Festival, and numerous film and theatre credits. Earlier this year he directed a spectacular traditional smoking ceremony marking the 75^th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and he is currently preparing Bangarra's 2008 full length work Mathinna, inspired by a young Aboriginal girl's journey between two cultures.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NSW

David Bussau AM

Micro-credit pioneer

Thirty years ago David Bussau went to Bali to help rebuild rural areas devastated by an earthquake and found that traditional development solutions still left poor families trapped in poverty. He realised that what poor people wanted was work and that with jobs they could start to solve many of their other problems. His solution was to offer small business loans - a hand up instead of a hand out. David established the non-profit Maranatha Trust to fulfil his dream of helping the poor help themselves. In 1979 he joined forces with a like-minded counterpart in the USA to form Opportunity International. The results have been outstanding, with over 800,000 clients, mostly women, and creating millions of jobs in twenty-nine developing countries. David continues his work in micro-enterprise development by building relationships and providing consultancy services to governments, multi-national companies, and other organisations that have caught his vision and joined the fight against poverty.

Sonia Gidley-King

Practical humanitarian

Horrified on realising the numbers of people world-wide who die of hypothermia, Sonia Gidley-King responded in the most practical way. She organised groups of volunteers to knit, crochet, or weave woollen squares, 25 centimetres each, to make warm wraps to keep out the cold. Since 1992 Sonia's determination and dedication has seen over 133,000 wraps sent to Africa, Afghanistan, India, South America, and anywhere else there is a need. All the work is done by volunteers - about 25,000 'Love Wrap' workers around Australia - and her Knit-In program is becoming legendary, with more than 7,000 participating recently. Sonia's Wrap With Love organisation is not a charity but a mission of mercy; it is non-denominational, non-political, and non-discriminatory and the wraps are not bought, sold, or traded. The rugs and quilts are a gift to people who have little, giving them hope because they know that someone, somewhere in Australia has made it with love.

Don McDonald

Mental health advocate

As one of the founding board members of the National Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders, Don McDonald has been responsible for raising more than $2 million in sponsorships and donations, as well as lobbying for government support and improving public awareness of schizophrenia. When his son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 15 years of age, Don committed himself to help families like his with a loved one struck down by this devastating illness. He developed a national alliance of parents, doctors, and union and business leaders that led to initial and then on-going government funding for research. As a measure of the high esteem in which he held by the psychiatric research community, Don was described, in a speech honouring his work, as the most effective, focussed, and results-oriented activist and advocate who has ever come to the aid of psychiatric research in Australia.

Hugh Mackay

Social researcher and commentator

Hugh Mackay is a psychologist, social researcher, and writer who has made a lifelong study of the attitudes and behaviour of the Australian community and is one of our pioneers of qualitative research. In recognition of this work he has been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, and Charles Sturt University. Hugh is a prolific writer - he has published widely in the field of social psychology and has written four novels. As a critic of the changing nature of Australian society, Hugh's insights encourage us to re-evaluate our lives, our relationships, and our communities; he has the knack of providing accessible common sense observations about who we are as a nation. Hugh is one of the founders of the St James Ethics Centre and is a regular contributor to national news and current affairs publications whose commentary provides thought-provoking guidance through an increasingly complex and ambiguous world.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NSW

Rachel Coxon, 24

Biomedical engineer

Rachel Coxon is passionate about the positive contribution young people can make to the community and demonstrates this consistently through inspirational leadership. After graduating as a mechanical engineer with honours and a University Medal, Rachel is currently completing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering investigating sleep and breathing in heart failure. She still found time to be a mentor for the 2007 Western Sydney Young Women's Leadership Program, which aims to increase the number of women in leadership and decision making roles by strengthening the leadership capabilities of young women. She also holds numerous national professional body positions, which are her platform for influencing and contributing to engineering and the wider community. Rachel is an enthusiastic networker who is making a valuable and recognisable impact as a mentor, leader, and role model for young people and through her commitment to addressing humanitarian issues through medical technology.

Bianca Moon, 18

Equality campaigner

Bianca Moon has endured much - facial disfigurement, bullying, and a car accident - to become the positive role model she is today. Bianca was born with a rare craniofacial disfigurement leaving her with no eyelid muscles, very wide-set eyes, and a flat nose bridge. She has had four facial reconstructions and has benefitted immensely from donor muscles. It was the taunts she endured at school that spurred her on to establish, at the age of 16, a charity to help bring awareness for people born with craniofacial disfigurements, or as she puts it, facial differences. 'Truly Beauty's' philosophy is that we're all the same no matter what we look like on the outside. Among Bianca's aims is outlawing schoolyard bullying and hosting next year's Truly Beautiful Masked Ball.

Casey Stoner, 22

World MotoGP champion

Casey Stoner is Australia's world champion motorcycle racer, cementing his place in this year's MotoGP competition with a home win at Philip Island in October. Casey first competed when he was four years old, in a race for under-nine's, and he won his first national title at the ripe old age of six. By the time he was fourteen he had won 41 dirt and long track titles and 70 state titles. In a single weekend he won 32 of 35 races and all of the five titles up for grabs. Because the legal age for road racing in Australia is 16, his family took him to compete in Europe. After a string of successes since then, last year he finally accomplished his ambition of racing in the fastest and most prestigious of the cycle racing classes. With his highly competitive attitude Casey took on the best in the world and won.

Phoebe Williams, 24

International Aid Leader

Phoebe Williams witnessed devastating poverty during a visit to Uganda in 2004 while waiting to begin her post-graduate medical studies. Returning home determined to do something about it, she established Hands of Help, which now has a membership of over 250 - mostly medical students. Her group of volunteers headed off at their own expense to rebuild a primary school in one of Uganda's poorest regions and establish community-based health care facilities, now under way in partnership with the Sydney Peace Foundation. Medical students from six universities are raising funds to rebuild two more schools, renovate an AIDS orphanage in Nairobi, and conduct health checks in remote Indigenous communities in NSW. Her honours thesis, a study of the impact of malaria prevention programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, has attracted wide interest in the medical community. Phoebe matches her deep concern for others less fortunate than herself with a boundless enthusiasm for making a difference.

LOCAL HERO - NSW

Peter Andrews

Environmentalist

Peter Andrews has had extraordinary success converting degraded, salt-ravaged land into fertile, drought-resistant pastures. Instigator of the natural sequencing farming concept, he faced tremendous obstacles and personal setbacks getting his methods accepted by a wary scientific and farming community. But now eminent scientists agree that Peter potentially has the solution to alleviating the effects of drought on many parts of the Australian landscape. Natural sequence farming focuses on the way the natural landscape works to maintain its balance by restoring connections between rivers and flood plains and using secondary channels to connect creeks and ponds. This restores streams and wetlands to the way they were before European settlement interfered with them. Peter is a man who many believe is ahead of his time and who is almost without peer in his understanding of the natural functioning of the Australian landscape. All Australians will benefit from his research and his persistence.

Joyce Donovan

Human rights and health campaigner

Joyce Donovan, or Aunty Joyce as she is known in the Illawarra and more widely, is a leader who has earned the respect of the Aboriginal community that entitles her to be called an Elder. Joyce felt so strongly about unveiling the scourge of child abuse that she travelled all over NSW, sleeping on floors and living out of her car, gaining support for marches against child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities. Following the success of the walks and the Purple Ribbon Project she was asked to coordinate an annual candle vigil to recognise that there will be no more silence over child abuse. She travelled thousands of miles conducting healing ceremonies for victims of domestic violence and bringing her message that it takes a whole community to raise a child. Joyce has worked tirelessly for more than thirty-five years and was the driving force behind the establishment of an Aboriginal Medical Service in Wollongong.

Dick Estens

Practical reconciliation advocate

Dick Estens wants to make Indigenous poverty history and breach the gap in education by 2015 and he works tirelessly to achieve these aims in his own community by promoting work opportunities for Indigenous people in the area. He believes strongly that having paid employment is the best way out of poverty and in 1997, with the backing of local cotton growers, he set up a program in Moree that every year finds work for hundreds of Indigenous people who otherwise might be left to languish on the edges of society. He was appointed to the board of Reconciliation Australia and was awarded a human rights medal for overhauling the situation in Moree and changing community attitudes in the process. Dick's work on reconciliation and his strategy of gainful employment has given Moree's Indigenous community hope, dignity, status, and pride in themselves.

Mary-Ruth Mendel

Speech and language pathologist

Mary-Ruth Mendel specialises in helping children and adults with literacy and learning difficulties. She is very skilled in distilling the mountains of information and research developed over the years into understandable knowledge and converting medical revelations into teaching techniques that lead to successful therapeutic practices. Responding to national media attention arising out of her successful methods, Mary-Ruth established the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation as a philanthropic vehicle to begin to address the huge numbers of people needing help. One of her first projects achieved a breakthrough that could save Aboriginal languages from extinction while at the same time boost literacy in Indigenous communities. With help from The Wiggles, the Warramiri language is now available on DVD for all to share. Not only has the Foundation achieved great things with Indigenous literacy, but is making its mark with refugees and is planning to improve literacy levels in prisons.

NT FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NT

Professor Jonathan Carapetis

Researcher and paediatrician

Professor Jonathan Carapetis is a paediatric infectious disease specialist with extensive experience working with Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory. After training in infectious diseases, his studies ten years ago at Darwin's Menzies School of Health Research, to which he was appointed Director last year, led to the establishment of Australia's first rheumatic heart disease control program. Jonathan's work in discovering the link between scabies and rheumatic fever is helping support health professionals develop prevention, education, and treatment programs in Indigenous communities across Australia. He holds qualifications as a medical practitioner, paediatrician, infectious diseases and public health specialist and he was named as one of Australia's top ten scientific minds under the age of 45. Jonathan is a highly regarded paediatrician and dynamic researcher who has dedicated his career to improving the health of children living in poverty anywhere in the world.

Dr Bart Currie

Health researcher

Dr Bart Currie is one of Australia's most prominent infectious diseases and public health physicians and is internationally renowned for his research on tropical diseases. As Head of Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Menzies School of Health Research, he has been a key catalyst in coordinating improvements in Indigenous health in the Top End. Bart is passionate about attracting the NT doctors who share his vision for high quality medical services in central and northern Australia. His wide range of interests includes clinical and epidemiological aspects of tropical and emerging infections, the development of treatment guidelines, and clinical toxicology in support of public health. He has assembled within the relatively small Northern Territory community an incredibly diverse group of researchers and clinicians by encouraging high calibre colleagues to join his team. Earlier this year Bart's involvement in cross-disciplinary research involving human health and natural history was honoured by having a new species of box jellyfish, Chiropsella Bart, named after him.

Blair McFarland

Petrol sniffing campaigner

As a parole and probation officer in remote communities, Blair McFarland gained an insight into engaging successfully with his clients - he replaced intimidation with light-hearted humour. Despite this, no-one misunderstood the seriousness of his dedication to helping people confronted by the criminal justice system. Blair's passion for positive change and his skills as a cartoonist have led to his creating valuable education kits, giving non-English speakers an opportunity to learn about services they would otherwise miss out on. Through his relaxed manner he gained enough trust to establish the Remote Area Night Patrol Service and then faced up to the problem of petrol sniffing. Tapping into government funding, he created the Central Australia Youth Link Up Service, advocating the roll-out of the non-sniffable alternative to unleaded petrol. With an estimated 350 "sniffers" in remote communities, Blair advocates its introduction across Central Australia to prevent victims searching further afield for supplies.

Miriam-Rose Ungunmeer-Baumann AM

Indigenous artist and educator

Miriam-Rose Ungunmeer-Baumann believes that education is a matter for the whole community, extending far beyond the classroom. When she was very young the whole bush was her school - she learnt to read the country as well as understand textbooks. In 1968 she studied to become a teacher's aide and started at the St Francis Xavier mission school at Daly River, where she has been principal since 1993. She became the Northern Territory's first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher and for many years was the Northern Territory's Education Department's art consultant. Miriam-Rose is deeply committed to adapting education to suit contemporary Aboriginal needs and to ensuring that Aboriginal people have the opportunity to become teachers and manage their own schools. Her own school is living testimony to her philosophy - it is completely staffed and managed by Aboriginal people. She also is a talented musician and visual artist and has pushed the boundaries with her education accomplishments.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NT

Jack Crombie

Tracker

Katatatjunti, or Jack Crombie as he's been known since his youth, is considered one of rodeo's great legends. Jack was born in the outback and began learning how to track as a young child. From having no clothes, he went to model country clothing, drove on the Birdsville Track, muster cattle in Queensland, and to the rodeo circuit where Jack made a name for himself here, and in Canada and New Zealand. After trying his luck at opal mining he started a new career in 1993 as a police aide in South Australia. His reputation as a tracker was such that he was one of the first aides hired. Jack's amazing story is valuable to Aboriginal droving and rodeo history, an inspiration to the youth of today, and a tremendous cultural reference for Indigenous history. These days, Jack lives in Alice Springs and continues to make an extraordinary contribution to the community taking part in night patrol and volunteering for organisations including the Red Cross.

Joy Green

Mental health services pioneer

Joy Green was the instigator and founding member of Mental Health Carers NT, one of the organisations she has driven over the past twenty years to fill the gaps for services for people with a mental illness. While her initial impetus was to advocate on behalf of her son, Rory, who suffered from schizophrenia, Joy's reach extended to all people with a mental illness and their carers. It took time but, where there were barriers, Joy found a way. She persisted and the group grew. In 1995 their first paid worker was employed and the organisation now employs five staff in Darwin and Alice Springs to provide support services for mental health carers and social and recreational programs. Joy is modest about her achievements and is more likely to promote the worth of others than seek recognition for herself. She is one of those people whose motivation, energy, determination, and courage inspire others to do more.

Penni Tastula

Tourism industry leader

Penni Tastula is one of those lucky people who earn a living doing what they enjoy most. She has 35 years experience in the tourism industry and has been a multi-award winning Northern Territory business leader for many years. Penni's zeal and enthusiasm for the Territory's wonderful geographical landmarks are evident in her passion for promoting quality tourism products. When the local tourism industry was in its infancy, she battled against many barriers and overcame many disappointments to create the first inbound tour operator and develop it into one of the most diverse and successful businesses in the Territory. Penni has trained many in the sector and has her own community radio show that informs the public on travel tips and safety. She is recognised as a business leader and role model and in all areas of the industry, both inside and outside the Territory, she is accepted as a true professional.

Gulumbu Yunupingu

Artist and traditional healer

Gulumbu Yunupingu is one of Australia's leading artists. She has many years of experience painting on bark and didgeridoos and weaving pandanas mats and baskets. In 2004 she won the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. She is one of eight artists whose work is exhibited permanently at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris in the largest international commission of contemporary Indigenous art from Australia. Yirrkala, where Gullumbu lives, is the main community of the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land. Every year her family hosts the Garma Festival, a gathering that celebrates and shares the unique Yolngu cultural heritage. She has recently set up The Healing Place, where Yolngu women treat people through traditional healing practices, using medicines from the bush in conjunction with prescribed mainstream medicines. She has proved their value in treating her own daughter into almost full recovery after a serious accident.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - NT

Emma McLaren-Alexander, 16

Voice for youth

Emma McLaren-Alexander started working in the media as a 14 year old, covering local news events for The Tennant & District Times, and went on to write an editorial column reflecting the opinions of young people in her community. Her column was extremely popular with readers of all ages, who enjoyed her quirky humorous passion for better facilities, resources, and opportunities for youth. In her weekly radio spot as correspondent for 783 ABC Emma became widely known as a great advocate for Tennant Creek and the Barkly region. Before moving earlier this year to Nhulumbuy, Emma was also on the Student Representative Council for her school and was one of the Northern Territory students chosen for the Chief Executive's Student Forum. She has taken her infectious enthusiasm and energy with her and continues to motivate fellow students to be involved.

Caleb Campion, 16

Top student

Caleb Campion recently graduated from Maningrida Community Education Centre as that community's top Indigenous male student. During his studies last year he discovered 27 new species of spiders, catching the attention of print and broadcast media, who ran stories on his amazing feat. Caleb's small business enterprise team won an innovation award from the Northern Territory Government for the virtual business they started, called the Scoomy and Beauty DVD Store. And his musical group, Bushfire Band, made the finals for best school band in the Northern Territory Indigenous Music Awards. Caleb also undertook his work experience with the Maningrida Djelk Rangers, who are so vital to the region's ecological health. So impressed with him were they that they offered him a full-time job after completing Year 12 studies. Caleb is deeply passionate about the environment and proudly teaches others about his traditional ways and cultural heritage.

David Johnston, 17

Science and sports achiever

David Johnston has already achieved pinnacles of success in two diverse and difficult fields of endeavour. Last year he represented Australia at the Asian Physics Olympiads held in Kazakhstan, the youngest member ever to make the team. Then he was chosen for the 2007 team and gained an honourable mention in the Shanghai event. Few students make it through the rigorous testing and training to represent their country at the highest level; to be selected twice is an outstanding achievement. He has also won a string of awards for chemistry. David has excelled at his other passion, cycling. Last year he won the Under-17 National Mountain Bike Championship and is currently preparing for the 2007-08 National Mountain Bike Series and hopes to qualify for the world championships. Combining his scientific mind and his love of bikes, David has constructed a solar-powered machine which he hopes will be competitive as well as environmentally sound.

Simone Liddy, 20

Groundbreaker

With Simone Liddy's outstanding academic and sport abilities all career paths were open to her when she finished school in 2004. She selected a career in which there are few Indigenous people, and one which will enable her to make a significant contribution to the health of Indigenous Territorians. When she graduates from Charles Darwin University she will be a true trailblazer - the first Indigenous graduate in a Bachelor of Pharmacy course. In addition to her strenuous study load she works in the Pharmacy Department of the Royal Darwin Hospital and is an elite athlete with the NT Institute of Sport, representing the Territory in hockey and last year becoming a rookie member of the Northern Territory Pearls in the Australian Hockey League. Emma's story of high achievement is used by the university as a role model when visiting high schools to talk to Indigenous youths about career pathways and opportunities.

LOCAL HERO - NT

William John Hamilton OAM

Community support

William John (Jack) Hamilton gives unstintingly of his time to helping Vietnam War veterans, youths, and the disabled among the Darwin community. Jack manages Coral House, an emergency or short term, seven bed residential facility provided by the Northern Territory Branch of the Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia. Coral House opened in 1989 and operates under a joint Territory/Federal Government funding arrangement. Jack is admired for his competence in managing Coral House within a tight budget over a long time, but he goes well beyond his job description in providing a very caring environment for the people he is responsible for. He provides a refuge for the troubled and sets realistic goals to help them on the path to recovery. Jack's compassionate and realistic approach with ex-servicemen and their families is exceptional.

Noel Harris

Health and fitness coach

While Noel Harris's business revolves around getting and keeping people fit through good nutrition and physical training, it is for his volunteer work within his Alice Springs community that he has been nominated for a Local Hero award. There are many whose health and fitness have improved dramatically through being involved with Noel, especially those in their later years. He regularly sponsors and organises very well attended public events, such as fun runs, to increase fitness and promote the benefits of a balanced lifestyle and active leisure. He organises the Alice Springs marathon, which has become a popular sporting event on the international circuit. Noel is a coach with the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club and volunteers at the Arafura Games. Through his coaching sessions and patient encouragement of fitness goals, determined by sound sports management guidelines, Noel is dedicated to helping people of all ages achieve their best.

Denise Kelly

Foster mum

Denise Kelly is a single mum who works full-time as a finance officer. She has been a foster carer in Darwin for more than twenty years. In that time she has brought more than thirty-five children and youths into her home for full-time or short term respite care. Denise inspires all whose lives she touches with her warm, welcoming, supportive, and professional nurturing. She is an advocate for children and youths, guiding them to be the best they can be by accessing services such as education, behavioural support, counselling, and sport. She makes sure that their voices are heard, their needs are met, and their lives are supported whether they are in or out of home care. She inspires and supports and is firm but flexible without ever breeching their privacy.

QLD FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - QUEENSLAND

Professor Paula Barrett

Child psychologist

Professor Paula Barrett is recognised internationally as a pre-eminent scholar, distinguished keynote speaker, and groundbreaking researcher in the field of child psychology. She was a Fulbright Scholar as a sixteen-year-old and on arriving in Australia in 1986 worked as a psychologist in a variety of clinical settings and at the Migrant Resource Centre. At the University of Queensland she developed the FRIENDS for Life program, which has been recognised by the World Health Organization as best practice for the prevention and treatment of childhood anxiety and depression. More than 500,000 children worldwide have completed the program. Paula's active promotion of self-belief and self-worth in children of all ages has made an outstanding contribution to the prevention of these conditions and, ultimately, youth suicide. Paula's prolific writing, generosity of spirit, and fervour for research have had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children in Australia and around the world.

Anna-Louise Kassulke

Special Olympics volunteer

This year marks Anna-Louise Kassulke's twenty years of voluntary work with Special Olympics in Queensland and nationally, upholding the founding principle that with proper instruction and encouragement people with an intellectual disability can learn, enjoy, and benefit from participating in individual and team sports. Since 1988 Anna-Louise has grown the Special Olympics Program in Queensland and her work travelling with teams has resulted in team members being well prepared to cope with touring and competition conditions. She attended her first Special Olympics in 1991 as an assistant athletics coach in the USA and this year was the Head of Delegation for the 164 member Australian Team's participation in Shanghai. Her focus on developing professionalism in coaching staff has raised the bar across Australia.

Lee Kernaghan OAM

Country music legend

Lee Kernaghan is a towering figure in Australian country music and a fine ambassador for his craft. He gave his first public performance at the age of five, formed his first band when he was twelve, and released his first commercial single in 1983. His tally of Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. Lee has a passion for his music and his country and brings these together in his support for country communities across Australia. To many people he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia. In the past ten years his 'Pass the Hat Around' tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the 'Spirit of the Bush' tours raises spirits as well as money for farming families doing it tough in the drought.

Noel Pearson

Indigenous leader

Noel Pearson is one of the most influential Indigenous leaders in Australia today. As well as being the Director of Cape York Partnerships and voluntary team leader of 'Every Child is Special', he is Director of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, which aims to drive policy innovation and move to include a model of active Indigenous organisations. Noel co-founded the Cape York Land Council more than twenty years ago and under his stewardship the organisation completed ground breaking projects that inspired Indigenous groups across Australia. These included the Native Title campaigns that led to the Wik decision, the Cape York Heads of Agreement, and the Comalco Agreement. Noel's current work draws widely on his thoughts on breaking down 'passive welfare dependency' by reinstating Indigenous people's right to take responsibility for their own lives. Noel eschews bitterness and recrimination for previous injustices in favour of seeking solutions.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - QUEENSLAND

Professor Julie Campbell AO

Medical researcher

Professor Julie Campbell holds a string of important positions and appointments in medical research, including Research Professor, Director of the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, and Director of the Wesley Research Institute. She is one of a handful of Queenslanders, and only the second Queensland woman, elected to the Australian Academy of Science. Julie's scientific background has helped practising doctors, nurses, and other health professionals pass to others the innovations they have developed as practical clinicians for the benefit of patients. She is well known for her pioneering work in creating 'grow your own' arteries, a technique she and her husband developed that promises enormous benefits for heart by-pass and dialysis patients. While Julie describes the process as deceptively simple, not unlike the process that allows a pearl to grow inside and oyster, this extraordinary procedure is sure to save lives.

Brian Egan

Drought relief helper

Brian Egan knows exactly what drought-stricken families are going through - he lost his own farm in the 1990's due to drought and personal depression. Five years ago he and his wife, Nerida, established Aussie Helpers to try to alleviate hardship and lift the spirits of families severely affected by drought. Tapping into the bush telegraph, Aussie Helpers finds farming families in desperate need of help. Brian and his band of committed volunteers have given away over 150 tonnes of groceries and over 600 tonnes of stock feed and assisted more than 1,000 families. Aussies Helpers raises funds through thrift shops in Dalby and Charleville and asking for donations to the annual Bush Christmas Appeal and the ongoing Drought Relief Appeal. Brian's hampers help transform Christmas from a bleak and depressing time to one of joy and celebration, while other money goes towards farm repairs, dental care, and coastal holidays for outback families.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - QUEENSLAND

Moyia O'Brien

Community service founder

Lovingly known as "The Pink Twins," Moyia O'Brien and her identical twin sister, Dorothy, started Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association over thirty years ago to provide a place that enables and empowers people with a disability to develop and enhance their strengths, skills and self confidence. SWARA offers an opportunity for people with a disability to have a place to call their own. Dorothy has gone, but Moyia soldiers on, working at SWARA three days a week, contributing to the creative outlets like painting, music, dancing, and singing for its 120 adults who are registered to attend. SWARA's 103-unit property in Brisbane, specifically designed for single person households, is named in honour of the Pink Twins.

Helen Posselt

Internationally renowned physiotherapist

A physiotherapist for more than forty years, Helen Posselt is committed to improving the general wellbeing and health outcomes of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which affects one in 3,500, and for other children with inherited neuromuscular disorders. The knowledge she has developed has underpinned her international recognition as an expert in managing this condition through physiotherapy and she is regularly invited to conferences around the world. Helen is also on a specialist panel advising the American Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta on guidelines for caring for those with the disorder. At the local level she advises Parent Project Australia, devoting a huge amount of time to this organisation in improving the treatment, quality of life, and long term outlook for people affected by DMD and the companion Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Helen has also used her skills with cerebral palsy sufferers here and overseas and with the geriatric population.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - QUEENSLAND

Melina Georgousakis, 25

Science communicator

Melina Georgousakis is in the final stage of her doctoral studies into a vaccine against streptococcal bacteria, which each year cause 600 million cases of strep throat and half a million deaths from "flesh-eating" infections, streptococcal toxic syndrome, and rheumatic heart disease. She is in a team at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research searching for an affordable single oral vaccine that has so far eluded scientists and could save thousands of lives around the world. Achieving this requires both solid science and sincere advocacy and often these two attributes are carried by different people. Melina has both of these qualities - she is a scientist who is equally passionate about communicating science clearly and widely, whether it is presenting her work within the scientific community or explaining her work to diverse community groups.

Anna Ockert, 20

Youth leader

Anna Ockert has been a community leader since early high school days, when she was elected to her student representative council and took responsibility for facilitating a drug and alcohol education program for her peers. She established numerous fund raising activities, including coordinating 150 volunteers for the 40-hour Famine campaign and being an entrant in the Leukaemia Quest. Anna's community spirit is evident in her tireless volunteer work for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Cancer Council, and World Vision through door knock appeals and local market stalls. She also cooked and served at a local soup kitchen. As a World Vision Youth Ambassador, Anna travelled to Mozambique witnessing poverty first hand and she volunteered at a training centre in Thailand that is home to 500 hill tribe children. Anna contributes to global leadership forums and serves as State Director of Vision Generation, the youth movement of World Vision.

Lars Olsen, 24

Orphans' champion

Lars Olsen set off in 2004 for a stint of helping orphans in Nepal and teaching English as a volunteer. What he found was uplifting - kids facing a life of hardship and destitution yet looking on life with simplicity, love, compassion, and wisdom at such an early age. But Lars was dismayed when he discovered that the small orphanage he worked in was a quagmire of corruption, and worse. After rescuing one of the children from terrible abuse, he set up the Forget Me Not Children's Home, with strict governance in place so that all the funds raised are used directly for the kids' welfare. The number of orphans under care quickly reached ten, with the hope that it will one day rise to thirty. Lars is the 2007 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year, a timely recognition of his tireless dedication to relieving poverty, hunger, and oppression from the world.

Rebecca Scales, 25

Legacy builder

Rebecca Scales turned a personal tragedy into a triumph for some of the neediest children in the world. Rebecca's mother had a dream to build a house through the Watoto Children's Foundation for young Ugandan's who have been orphaned through their parents' AIDS, but she wasn't able to finish the project before she lost her battle with cancer. Rebecca was determined to build the house as a legacy to her mother and after raising the money set out with her family to see the project through. So inspired with their success were her church and school friends that they enlisted to the cause. Raising money through various enterprises, they collected enough for another house and Rebecca set out with a group of students on an inspirational journey to build it. Now another sixteen children and two house mothers have shelter and a better future thanks to Rebecca's commitment and inspirational leadership.

LOCAL HERO - QUEENSLAND

Neroli Endacott

Community supporter

Neroli Endacott has worn many hats over the years - from foster parent to after school carer to raising community awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As a foster mum, Nevoli has cared for more than a hundred disabled, abused, disadvantaged, and in-need children. Lovingly known as 'Ma,' she has nursed many children through debilitating illnesses, from cuddling and comforting a child with pneumonia to nursing seriously ill premature babies through the night. She established an outside school hours care centre because of her concerns for local 'latch key' kids and the need for working parents to have a safe place for their children to go after school and during vacation times. Always the local hero, Neroli is now raising awareness about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, which can lead to a set of mental and physical disorders, including mental retardation, brain dysfunction, physical abnormalities, learning disabilities, and psychological problems.

Jean Madden

Shelter provider

School teacher Jean Madden has revived an Australian icon to help homeless people stay dry at night and protect their belongings during the day. Upset at the plight of Brisbane's homeless, who could get a meal but not a good night's sleep, Jean designed a light, practical, and portable swag that can be rolled up and used as a bag during the day. Jean raises the cost of materials through private donations and an annual Street Swags Country Ball and the swags are made by the inmates of Woodford Correctional Centre, who in turn learn new skills and give something back to the community. These 'Street Swags' are distributed through charities that deal directly with street people, including Rosies Youth on the Streets, the Salvation Army, and Access Street Vans. So far Jean has provided about 1200 swags in Brisbane, the Gold Coast the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and as far afield as Sydney.

Michael Meehan

Youth mentor

Michael Meehan has contributed to his community for twenty years as a volunteer helping children, youth, and veterans. He formed Special Kids Queensland, which helps adults with special needs, the elderly, the veterans' community, and virtually anyone who needs special support. Michael organised the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service's annual toy drive and opened a wheelchair and mobility aids bank that lends equipment free of charge to people who can't afford it or aren't entitled to government support. His Safe Party Practice program prepares youths for a safer Schoolies Week and he builds better relationships between youth and police, leading to young people voting for the Redlands Top Cop Award for the police officer who has shown professionalism and broken down barriers between them and police. This is just a glimpse of Michael's commitment to his community, given freely despite the serious effects of chemical exposure as a young man.

June Thiedeke

Community stalwart

Since arriving there forty years ago, June Thiedeke has played an integral part in shaping her local community of Jambin into what it is today. She initiated Jambin's participation in the Tidy Towns competition and became its official liaison officer and developed and maintained a park for travellers passing through the community. For eleven years she was the representative with the Regional Arts Development Fund and instrumental in organising craft exhibitions and workshops. June is regularly seen at ANZAC Day services, judging march pasts on sports days, and presenting awards. For eighteen years she was the Jambin correspondent for the Central Telegraph newspaper and for thirty years maintained the Jambin Council amenities block. A keen gardener, June has hosted fund raising parties in her beautiful garden and served morning teas and entertained the residents of a retirement village.

Peter Whelan AM

Medical entomologist

Peter Whelan has been at the front line of community health for a long time as a medical entomologist with the Territory's health department. His successful community based approach to eradicating the dengue mosquito has been copied across the Top End. A recognised expert, Peter advises on similar programs elsewhere, including Victoria and East Timor. Peter is also a member of a multi-disciplined team conducting one of the most important research projects currently under way. The Modelling and control of mosquito-borne diseases in Darwin using long-term monitoring project is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Community Services, the Menzies School of Health, and Charles Sturt University aimed at increasing the capacity to tackle the increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases. As a public face of the Centre for Disease Control, people listen when Peter issues warnings and advice about how to avoid mosquito-borne diseases as the seasons come and go.

SA FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - SA

Michael Angelakis AM

Businessman and cancer supporter

Michael Angelakis runs South Australia's largest seafood, poultry and game business; chairs the Seafood Industry Development Steering Committee; is Director of the Seafood Council; and is a television celebrity as co-host of the Out of the Blue series. In short, he is the face of SA seafood. Michael was destined to work closely with the ocean. As a youngster, wanting to be a marine biologist led to his passion for the seafood industry. It helped having a family in the business, which started in the 1920's with a borrowed dinghy. Now in its third generation, the diversified company uses the latest technology and employs over 140 people. Michael's toughest challenge came through his misadventure with cancer. Through this experience he has worked to inspire others. His generosity in raising money to improve the care and comfort of other patients through the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre has been extraordinary.

Dr Paul Downton

Ecological architect

Dr Paul Downton is an award winning architect who is internationally recognised for his work as a theorist and practitioner of ecological architecture and eco-city projects. He has worked tirelessly for over thirty years promoting urban ecology, both in a professional capacity and through thousands of hours of voluntary work. He is the architect of Christie Walk, a successful ecological development in Adelaide. Well before climate change entered mainstream consciousness Paul was raising community awareness about the need to reshape our cities to be ecologically sustainable. Indeed then United States Senator Al Gore said in 1992 that Paul was on the cutting edge of some of the most critical issues of our times and shared Paul's view that the realignment of human civilisation's relationship with the natural environment is the key to a sustainable future. Paul has been a persistent, patient and effective educator, both formally and through his extensive community service.

Scott Hicks

Filmmaker

Scott Hicks was propelled to the forefront of international filmmakers in 1996 following the release of his film Shine and its world-wide box office success and honours, including seven Academy Award nominations. Scott had come a long way from his studies at Flinders University and a job as a runner on the set of Storm Boy in 1976. He has gone from strength to strength, with credits for such movies as Hearts in Atlantis, Snow Falling on Cedars, and the recently released No Reservations. He's currently back home filming The Boys are Back in Town. Between films, Paul directs high-end commercials including the only advertisement ever to be inducted into the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art. Scott is passionate about South Australia and whenever possible brings elements of his filming projects here.

Brenton Whittaker OAM

Humanitarian supporter

Brenton Whittaker is the kind of person who simply can't say no to anyone in need. Seeing poverty first hand while travelling overseas, Brenton knew he had to do something. Building on his altruistic inclinations from his Boy Scout days, he concluded that we are all on this planet together and those who are blessed with opportunities should try to make a level playing field for the others. He started Carry for Kids in 1995, using tourists' spare outgoing luggage capacity to deliver donated goods to orphanages in South East Asia, thus avoiding hefty customs fees and ensuring they are delivered to the right people. Brenton's roles now as director of Bali Kids, board member and project coordinator of the Australia Cambodia Foundation, and his support of many other humanitarian causes is more than a contribution, they are his life's work and the world is all the better for them.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - SA

Margaret Flower OAM

Philanthropist

Margaret Flower has devoted her retirement to supporting aid development projects overseas. She has built a school and provided fresh water to communities in Cameroon and built a pre-school in East Timor and a health clinic in Indonesia. Her support for the Organisation of Women AIDS Educators in Mozambique enables activists and counsellors to keep functioning in their important roles in their clinics. Margaret has also funded a micro-finance project for slum communities in Bangladesh and more recently supported HIV education in Tibet and a special health project for elderly former tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka. These are just a few of the projects she has been involved in that have helped thousands of people living in very poor countries around the world. Yet Margaret asks for nothing in return - she is as humble as she is generous and is an inspiration to all Australians, young and old.

Rodney Fox

Shark expert

After surviving a violent attack by a Great White shark during a fishing competition off the SA coast in 1963, Rodney Fox dedicated his life to studying sharks and has become one of the world's leading authorities and conservationists on the species. He built the first underwater observation cage to dive with Great White sharks, providing an unequalled opportunity for tourists, film makers, and scientists to observe them. Rodney is a renowned international speaker, has written two books and many articles, and he has led more than 200 research and filming expeditions. The many facets of his work have put SA on the global tourism map, with over 30,000 people a year visiting his museum at Glenelg. From the time of his attack he has worked to create awareness about this majestic creature and with his campaigning around the world he has moved from being victim to a committed advocate.

Professor Rob Morrison OAM

Science communicator

Professor Rob Morrison's work as a scientist, writer, and media personality has added profoundly to the promotion and understanding of science in Australia. For 25 years he has been a familiar face of science on television, as presenter of The Curiosity Show for eighteen years and appearances on The New Inventors, Nexus, Science Magazine, and Radio National's Ockham's Razor. He has written thirty books on science and natural history and under his stewardship the SA Royal Zoological Society has trebled its membership in six years. Rob recently helped establish SciWorld, a new science centre in Adelaide that runs exciting education programs, and developed six regional science fairs and shows, including Adelaide's National Science Week. He is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding science communicator and in the citation for his2007 Australian Museum Eureka Prize Rob is described as a national treasure and a well-loved ambassador for science.

Joy Tatnell

Refugee supporter

Joy Tatnell has worked tirelessly for many years to help people less fortunate than herself. After contributing to the Red Cross and Lifeline her passion for social justice led her to set up the successful network of volunteer women's clubs within World Vision; hundreds of these clubs have supported overseas humanitarian projects over many years. They are Joy's legacy of her time working with World Vision, when she was exposed to the hardships people faced while taking women's groups on tours of under-developed countries. The Cambodian family she took under her protective wing in 1982 remain a credit to Joy's compassion and she has since opened her home to refugees from Pakistan, Iran, Kenya, Vietnam, and China who need shelter and friendship as they face depression and suicide. She selflessly provided the food, clothes, and emotional support they needed to get them on their way to a new life.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - SA

Erin Riddell, 21

Social activist

Erin Riddell channels her passion for social and environmental justice into positive activism as an Advocacy Team Leader of World Vision's youth movement, Vision Generation, and through her work with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Her studies and her participation in community networks have fostered her passion for international relations, the fight against global inequity, and social and environmental impacts of world trade. Erin develops workshops and campaigns to raise young people's awareness of these issues and has represented Vision Generation at the state and national levels and at conferences. Her campaigns include lobbying for fair trade tea and coffee on her university campus and a weekly radio program covering global issues. Another one is the "Adopt-a-Politician" campaign aimed at giving young people non-partisan information about climate change and empowering them to become politically engaged. Erin will travel to Thailand next year to learn more about sustainable livelihoods and permaculture.

Anna McInerney, 16

Fundraiser

If you think you recognise Anna McInerney it's probably because you've seen her face on the front cover of the latest Adelaide phone directory. She was chosen under the theme of "Champions in Our Community," an apt description of this helpful, friendly, enthusiastic, and dedicated young citizen. Over the past six years Anna has raised $31,000 for the Red Cross, mostly from sewing and selling a soft toy - a fluffy beanbag chicken - that she designed as a ten-year-old. Anna not only attends school, she also has a part-time job, plays three musical instruments, sings in a choir, debates, and serves on the Red Cross SA Youth Advisory Committee. Earlier this year she produced an outstanding music and dance version of Romeo and Juliet for the Adelaide Fringe Festival, giving local disadvantaged and disabled students the opportunity to attend a live performance. Anna's generosity, initiative, and dedication are an inspiration.

Victoria Saint, 23

Health advocate

Victoria (Tori) Saint has a passion for driving social change to improve health outcomes among Australia's most vulnerable populations. She is a member of the UN Development Fund, the People's Health Movement, and South Australians Supporting Children & Women in Assam. Her commitment to social change is also demonstrated by her work as South Australian Coordinator of Project Australia, a youth driven movement aimed at connecting young leaders across Australia. She has been integral in organising SA's participation in nationwide discussion nights focusing on health and wellbeing, youth issues and empowerment, Indigenous issues, human rights, and social justice. Tori has also stepped forward as a volunteer in times of crisis, such as working in a call centre during the Red Cross earthquake and tsunami appeals and her long association with the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club. Tori has also participated in numerous health-related conferences, as well as this year's Brightest Young Minds Conference.

Niki Vasilakis, 25

Musician

Niki Vasilakis is widely regarded as one of Australia's most exciting musicians and one of the world's up and coming violinists. She has already played her solo violin concertos with some of the finest orchestras in the world. Her regular media appearances and her busy international schedule of concerts have made her a familiar face with a wide public. Niki took up violin at age four because her parents suspected she had ADHD, using her daily practice to temper her over-energetic behaviour. She became so keen that she often wagged school to practise. Her career has taken her to Europe, China, and New Zealand, the Rockefeller Centre in New York, Washington Cathedral, and the Sydney Opera House. Niki is also lead violinist with Australia's premier piano trio, TrioZ, and regularly volunteers her time running school holiday programs in remote Indigenous communities.

LOCAL HERO - SA

Jim Douglas

Coastal community activist

Jim Douglas has been a tireless activist for the people of Adelaide's western coastal suburbs for over twenty years, acting as their advocate to all levels of government. He has championed community concerns on environmental, urban planning, public health, and arts issues, including the 'Save Our Beaches' campaign to protect the last metropolitan sand dune. Jim was the impetus for 'Energy Friends,' to provide energy audits for householders to save both money and the environment. This was so successful that Energy SA took his concept into nearly 8,000 homes across the state. Jim has a strong interest in the River Torrens and has taken a leading role in a coalition of community groups concerned for the ecological sustainability of the Gulf St Vincent. Dedicating his organisational skills to yet another project and despite serious health concerns, Jim also initiated a sea-creature mosaic community artwork to decorate the sea wall at Henley Beach.

Nouha Jaber

Arabic community worker

Nouha Jaber is a very busy person. She is concurrently involved in more than ten organisations and projects helping Adelaide's Arabic-speaking communities. Under her guiding hand they find work for Arabic-speaking people, assist frail aged people and people with disabilities, organise regular social gatherings, arrange English language classes for refugees, help the elderly remain in their homes for as long as possible, and train care workers. Nouha also coordinates a group of Arab-speaking women who organise monthly lunches and information sessions for seniors, provides information to the wider community at the Migrant Resource Centre, and she obtained a grant for a project that enabled children and grandparents to meet, discuss their lives, and have lunches and other activities. In a joint project between the SA Lebanese Women's Association and police, Nouha fosters awareness of the challenges facing Arabic-speaking youth and the benefits of their positive participation in the Australian community.

Samantha Krollig

Rural community builder

Samantha Krollig lives in the small South Australian rural community of Bowhill. She understands the importance of teamwork in sharing the workload and strengthening the social and economic capacity of her community, especially when times are tough. Samantha epitomises the strength of character of Australia's many remote rural communities. Just two examples: On seeing the need for support for a local mothers and babies group to provide support and encouragement, Samantha formed the Bowhill Kids & Coffee Parent Group, which offered a welcoming forum to openly discuss concerns, find support and friendship, and learn new mothercraft skills. When the tennis clubroom burnt down three years ago, Samantha led the way in getting it rebuilt as a community hall costing $250,000. It's nearly finished - and debt free due to her fundraising skills. Because of the friendships forged through Samantha's efforts, there are many who no longer face isolation and loneliness.

Ted Pawelski

Community worker

Ted Pawelski was a policeman for almost forty years, much of this in regional areas. Ted took into retirement in 1994 the experience of contact with people affected by poverty, drugs, and alcohol and he decided to do something to help them. Together with a good friend Ted set up a charity targeting schools where children arrived in the morning without having had breakfast. He gave them pasta and sauce meals and over time this program extended to many schools, charities, and pensioner groups. Every week Ted and his group of volunteers, all of them retired policemen, work tirelessly to support those in desperate need of assistance and help organisations like Boys Town at Port Pirie, various ethnic and Indigenous groups, and Operation Flinders, who take kids into the outback. This local hero also gets bakeries to donate their unsold bread and he distributes it to many needy homes each evening.

TASMANIA FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - TASMANIA

Dr John Church

Oceanographer

Based in Hobart, oceanographer Dr John Church leads the CSIRO's research into sea level rise. He has become one of the world's most respected scientists studying the effects of global warming on the oceans. His ground-breaking work, which required a combination of creative thinking and meticulous attention to detail, has set the international standard for monitoring sea levels and led to his being awarded a prestigious Eureka Prize in 2007. John analysed century-old data collected the old fashioned way (from tidal gauges around the world) alongside recent satellite data and produced a 130-year-old record of worldwide average sea levels, providing evidence of an acceleration in the rate of 20th Century sea level rises. He believes that when it comes to climate change everyone has a role to play. John's research has stimulated new ways of thinking about sea level rise and is changing the way people respond to their environment.

Ken Gourlay

World record sailor

Ken Gourlay dreamt of being the first Tasmanian and the fastest Australian to sail alone, non-stop and unassisted, around the world. With more than 70,000 nautical miles of sailing already behind him, including several Sydney to Hobart races and line honours in a Melbourne to Launceston race, Ken set out in his 42 ft yacht Spirit Silver Edition in November 2006 on his solo quest of circumnavigation. He returned to Launceston in the record time of less than 180 days, just pipping the previous best time set in 2001, and officially became only the sixth Australian to do the journey under the stringent rules that apply to these feats of courage and perseverance. This makes him the fastest, and oldest, Australian to circumnavigate the globe. Along the way, he raised more than $100,000 for medical research into eyesight disorders and diseases in children. Ken truly does live his dreams to the full.

Annette Peardon

Reconciliation activist

Seven years ago Annette Peardon made history by becoming the first member of the public in more than 100 years to address the Tasmanian House of Assembly. Her address was moving and powerful. The standing ovation she received from the Parliament was a fitting tribute to her positive and tenacious fight for justice - as a Co-Commissioner on the national inquiry into the removal of Indigenous children from their families and in her work over many years re-uniting removed children with their families. She then triggered a debate about compensation for the stolen generations that led to a landmark funding package benefitting 124 Tasmanian Aborigines. This Aboriginal Elder and staunch activist is highly respected by the wider community for her tenacious fight for justice. Annette has come a long way since she was taken away from her mother fifty years ago and she has brought so many along with her.

Peter Tanfield

Violinist and mentor

Peter Tanfield is a violinist who has played with the world's great musicians - from Pinchas Zuckerman to Charlie Watts - and for world leaders, such as China's Deng Xiaoping.. As a soloist Peter has played throughout Europe, China, Japan, India, Russia, and North America and has recorded numerous solo and chamber works as well as appearing both as a performer and a concertmaster with some of the world's best orchestras. In 1998 he stepped onto our local stage to lead the Australian String Quartet and since 2005 has been lecturer in violin and ensemble at the University of Tasmania's Conservatorium of Music. His work mentoring a wide range of amateur musical groups, including the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra and the Hobart chamber Orchestra has been invaluable tot eh Tasmanian community. There he channels his enormous energy and gift for communicating joy in music making into helping and inspiring other musicians and collaborating with people who share his love of good music.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - TASMANIA

Elisabeth Bennett

Community contributor

Elisabeth (Beth) Bennett has a strong social conscience and commitment to justice and fairness for all Tasmanians. Since moving to the East Coast more than thirty years ago this has translated into the wellbeing of the older people of the Glamorgan-Spring Bay area; she was named Spring Bay Citizen of the Year in 1990 for her work. Beth has been an advocate of positive ageing, chaired a War Widow Guild for more than twenty years, and worked as a mentor with young people as a member of the Guides Tasmania Council. An innovative organiser, Beth has been responsible for coordinating Seniors' Week concerts in Orford for several years. Beth is involved in volunteer activities almost every day of the week.

Les Blakebrough

Leading ceramic artist

In a career spanning five decades Les Blakebrough has become one of Australia's most acclaimed and influential ceramic artists. The list of the solo and joint exhibitions of his works across Australian cities and regions also confirms him as prolific. His body of work has ranged from earthy, functional wares to more recent delicate forms. The beauty of the form of these later works is emphasised by the translucency and fragility of his trademarked Southern Ice Porcelain. Chasing his vision over five years, Les developed a very beautiful material that is quite special, very translucent, very white, and very easy to work with. He has made an extraordinary contribution to visual art, craft, and design in Australia as a practitioner, teacher, mentor, and visionary advocate.

Master Xin-De Wang

Buddhist master

Master Xin-De Wang is the spiritual leader for more than three million people in a hundred countries. He made Tasmania his home nine years ago because it offers the tranquillity that reflects the spirit of his religious beliefs. Living a simple, frugal, and unassuming life, Master Wang promotes peace and harmony and is dedicated to advancing tolerance. He says that his new home is the best place in the world, like a pearl. He not only brought to Tasmania traditional Eastern cultures such as dragon and lion dances, but he also led the way in being the first Buddhist organisation to join in Christmas celebrations. Master Wang's organisation has donated more than $600,000 to the community, benefiting such groups as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He joined other religious leaders in ceremonies for bombing and tsunami victims. All of Master Wang's actions reflect his core value of giving rather than receiving.

Jean Withers

Community carer

Jean Withers is a nursing sister who has spent her professional life predominantly in midwifery and community nursing and now extends her helping hands to all who need her skills and empathy. Even when working full time, Jean was a willing volunteer palliative care support worker at a Launceston hospice for eight years. She later supported patients by providing transport to medical appointments and treatment sessions as well as spending time with terminally ill patients so that close family members got some relief from their vigil. She sat with those without family to accompany them in their dying hours. Jean is also involved in supporting adults with disabilities through a group called Crossroads, visits the elderly and takes them for a walk or a ride, has been a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer over the past twenty-five years, and a regular donor of a rare blood type for over thirty years.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - TASMANIA

Johanna Allston, 21

Athlete and student

Johanna Allston combines her academic pursuits as a medical student with her prowess as an elite athlete. Starting orienteering at ten, Johanna won her first national event four years ago and her first international medal at the World Junior Championships in Switzerland in 2005. She trains twice a day, seven days a week and in the lead up to the 2006 World Orienteering Championships in Denmark she was running over 150 kilometres a week. It paid off, because Johanna became the first ever competitor from outside of Europe to win the world crown. Amazingly, this followed wins in the juniors, making her the first athlete to win both senior and junior championships in the same year. Johanna was the Tasmanian Sports Institute's Athlete of the Year in 2006 but she has no plans to turn professional as she regards medicine as a more important part of her life.

Isuru Amarasena, 23

Award winning achiever

Isuru Amarasena came to Australia from Sri Lanka as a young boy, moving to Tasmania with his family in 1996. After attending The Hutchins School on a bursary - and winning many other academic, sporting, and leadership prizes along the way - he won a University of Tasmania scholarship to study medicine from 2003. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science with First Class Honours and received a further scholarship from the Australian Lung Foundation for his honours project, which was accepted for presentation at a recent world conference held in Korea. Isuru also contributes to his community through his volunteer work with migrants and refugees, coaching young children in sporting activities, representing his community as a youth delegate to the Amnesty International Youth Summit, and working as an Australian Medical Students Association volunteer in a hospital and in a remote village in Sri Lanka affected by the tsunami.

Robyn McKinnon, 23

Youth mentor

Robyn McKinnon has a remarkable record of youth support and counselling in schools and is also a trained sexual assault crisis worker. Robyn has been a youth mentoring program coordinator for Northern Tasmania Development, an award winning entity owned by eight local councils that identifies and facilitates worthy community initiatives. She has set up projects that provide an early morning meal at school for children in need and an after school mentoring program for young rural girls that focuses on building self esteem and healthy lifestyles and has trained 40 community members as mentors. Robyn is dedicated to raising awareness of child sexual abuse and developing support programs that help young people make the transition to adulthood. Robyn has been member of the Tasmanian Youth Consultative Committee, one of three Tasmanians on the 2007 National Youth Roundtable, a member of the Launceston Women's Shelter management committee and is the 2007 Tasmanian Young Achiever of the Year in the Spirit of Tasmania category.

Jeremy Smith, 24

Community contributor

Having a young family doesn't stop Jeremy Smith channelling his personal drive to give back to his community as well as succeed academically. Jeremy's psychology studies led him to research into the dynamics of how people manage the fear of death. His work is particularly relevant to conducting couples therapy with cancer patients. He was awarded the Sir Philip Fysh Prize for outstanding performance in second year Psychology and the HT Parker Prize for the highest overall marks in third year. Jeremy has volunteered as a youth worker helping teenage boys who are struggling to remain productive in class, participated in World Vision Leadership Camps, and has volunteered at the Red Cross Roadhouse. He recently was an organiser of a community festival that celebrated the strengths and diversity of the Margate area and built an increased sense of community there.

LOCAL HERO - TASMANIA

Robyn Hanson

Disabled sports supporter

With Robyn Hanson's guidance and unstoppable enthusiasm, the New Horizons Club, which she founded more than twenty years ago, has succeeded in catering for disabled members of Tasmania's Northern communities and their families. The club provides wonderful opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy a wide variety of sport and other recreational activities that most of us take for granted. No sports slouch herself, Robyn represented Tasmania in school netball and later coached state junior teams in a career that spanned forty years. She was also a representative tennis player and coach for many years. With the help of a few enthusiastic supporters, Robyn created an organisation that has gone on to help hundreds of people with a disability find their sporting niche. Robyn has been inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame and recently was appointed as track and field delegate to the World Games in Shanghai.

Imam Sabri Samson

Muslim community leader

Imam Sabri Samson came from Malaysia as an eighteen year old to study at the University of Tasmania and stayed on. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Teaching he taught science and electronics in Hobart for almost twenty years before retiring from the education system five years ago. But he hasn't given up being a teacher and mentor in the community as Imam of Hobart Mosque and Executive Member of the Islamic Council of Tasmania, roles he has been performing since 1984. As spokesman for Tasmania's Muslim community he carries positive stories to the media and promotes synergy between the different faiths. Imam Samson lectures and presents information sessions at the Mosque and more widely in the community - for example, in schools, Scouts, inter-faith forums, service clubs, and the police academy - and is involved in Harmony Day, achieving social cohesion in a multi-faith society.

Carlene Vickers

Cultural renovator

In 2000 a small group of women led by Carlene Vickers decided to restore their local theatre to its former glory. The Gaiety Theatre at Zeehan on the West Coast is historically significant for both the town and Tasmania because it is one of the few remaining late Victorian combined theatre-hotel complexes. It's also important because it shows the social and cultural side of the mining industry, whose boom times supported the building of this 1,000 seat theatre in 1898. Carlene and the Friends of the Gaiety raised $120,000 to begin the restoration work, starting with shopfront renovations, new displays, painting, plumbing, roof repairs, and upgrading the hotel's public rooms. All their hard work paid off when the theatre was officially re-opened in April 2006, giving Zeehan a second chance to be on the cultural map and once again attract big events, as it did with Harry Houdini all those years ago.

Sonya Williams

Community carer

Sonya Williams was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of fourteen and was given little chance of surviving. She was told that if she survived the chemotherapy she would never be able to work or have children. Three children and thirty years later, Sonya works tirelessly helping others. She has spent countless hours knitting woollies for the Royal Hobart Hospital. She has taken many street kids into her home, helping them find their feet materially and spiritually. She has two foster children in her care and she spends hours a week cooking for pensioners, playing cards with them, and listening to their yarns. Sonya cooks 15-20 traditional home-made meals every Thursday night for Vietnam veterans. And every Friday night she serves sandwiches and hot drinks out of a van to needy people. Through this work she provides an invaluable listening ear and advice to those in need.

VICTORIAN FINALISTS

A USTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - VICTORIA

Stuart Appleby

Sportsman and benefactor

Stuart Appleby is a highly successful sportsman and a great community activist. He has won our most important golfing honour, the Australian Open, and consistently features in the top ten of world golf rankings. Stuart is a strong supporter of the Challenge Foundation, raising money for children with cancer. He not only gives of his time and energy, but has personally donated more than a million dollars. After visiting his parents' farm he saw firsthand the devastation and despair caused by drought. Now Stuart also supports beyondblue, with a special focus on combating depression in rural communities. Through his 'birdie meter' he raises donations for every birdie he makes in tournaments. Stuart has a wonderful ability to relate to people of all ages and is the driving force behind Victoria's junior golf foundation. He is a role model as an international achiever and a caring contributor to the community.

Professor Don Esmore AO

Cardiac surgeon

Professor Don Esmore is a cardiac surgeon working in the field of organ transplantation who has performed about 600 heart or lung transplants, 8,000 open heart procedures, and about 100 artificial heart implants. He works around the clock replacing diseased organs with life-restoring ones. Don helped establish the transplant program at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and he developed the transplant program at the Prince Alfred in Melbourne into one of the most respected in the world. He regards as his best achievement being the first surgeon to implant an Australian-invented, Australian-made artificial heart that replaces the patient's heart function without removing it. Don was diagnosed with a serious condition four years ago and is currently in remission after treatment, which he undertook while continuing to operate to save the lives of others.

Kon Karapanagiotidis

Human rights advocate

Kon Karapanagiotidis is the founder and chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The Centre gets virtually all of its funding from donations and last year provided more than $14 million-worth of help in the form of legal, medical, food, clothing, and social services. It is an independent, not-for-profit charity committed to protecting the human rights of asylum seekers, whether they are in the community or in detention. Since opening in 2001, the Centre has cared for and assisted thousands of people by providing health services through a medical care network, food parcels and toiletries through its food bank, legal advice and advocacy through its human rights law program, crisis support through its casework program, and counselling for survivors of torture. Kon's commitment to human rights and social justice has inspired hundreds of volunteers to support the Centre in its growing range and scale of services.

Wendy Lawson

Autism support advocate

Wendy Lawson is a writer, poet, and adult educator. She also is autistic. She didn't talk until she was four and struggled at school. For more than 25 years she was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and lived with intense confusion and depression. She has since gone on to complete five tertiary qualifications and is now doing her doctorate on autism and stress. Wendy is the author of four books and she travels the world and throughout Australia speaking about her experiences as a person with autism, which she prefers to describe as a 'diffability'. She motivates people working with a child or adult with autism to look at their differences as positive. The insights that Wendy brings from her academic, professional, and personal understanding provides parents a door of hope and pathways to helping their children reach their potential.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - VICTORIA

Carrillo Gantner AO

Cultural leader

The actor, director, theatre founder, and philanthropist, Carrillo Gantner, has for many years been dedicated to the development of the arts and culture across the breadth of Australian society, directed financial support for worthy activities and the people who drive them, and pursued a more global cultural awareness. This year Carrillo celebrates 25 years as a cultural leader in his numerous roles over the years, including cultural counsellor at the Australian embassy in Beijing; Melbourne city councillor; chair of Asialink, the Sidney Myer fund, the Australia Council Theatre Board, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; and his present position as chair of the Victorian Arts Centre. Carrillo's hands-on involvement with the arts, especially through the Myer Trust, has made a major and lasting difference to the arts in Victoria and enriched the cultural life of the whole community.

Ron Parker

Community volunteer

Over the past 32 years Ron Parker has donated his time and energy to more than thirty community organisations. His voluntary services are extensive, spanning the education programs of many Melbourne institutions, health and emergency services, the Law Institute of Victoria, and an impressive number of committees, organisations, and community groups. He has been a tour guide, school council leader, editor, community advisor, Neighbourhood Watch zone leader, community radio researcher, theatre worker, hockey coach, and committee member to sports clubs and the Olympic torch relay. Ron has a keen sense of social justice and he regards it a privilege to be proactive in helping his community and ensuring that the needs of diverse groups in our society are represented and protected. He is sought out by many for his wise counsel and is described as a quiet achiever, a role model, and as an ordinary man doing ordinary things of extraordinary importance.

Judith Robbins

Respite provider

Many seriously ill children would love to have a holiday at a popular vacation spot but can't because of their low immunity to infection or because people stare at them due to their loss of hair. Also, with the significant medical expenses involved in caring for a sick child, families often can't afford to go on holiday. This is where Judith Robbins saw a need and stepped in to make a difference. In 1995 she and her husband, Peter, opened Annie's Cottage on their East Gippsland farm as a wonderful place where children who have a life threatening illness can come for a country holiday. With enthusiastic support from her local community, Judith keeps the fridge stocked with food, linen is ready when families arrive, and there is heaps of play equipment. All this is provided free of charge and Judith relies completely on donations to assist with running costs. So far nearly 300 families have benefited from her generous support.

Kevin Sheedy AM

Football legend

The name Kevin Sheedy is synonymous with Australian Football. Wearing the guernsey as both player and coach for almost forty years, Kevin played a total of 789 games, including 18 grand finals and eight premierships. He is an icon to AFL followers, but he has also used his unique position to help minority and underprivileged groups, especially Indigenous and other young people. Over the years Kevin has been actively involved in a variety of youth and charitable organisations and has been awarded many times for his work in those areas. He is also involved in the Fred Hollows Foundation, The Mercy Hospital, the Homeless Youth Organisation, Rotary, and Apex, to name just a few. Kevin is an innovator whose ideas have shaped the modern style of coaching, taking it into the realms of science, and the 70 Indigenous players on the current AFL playing list are a tribute to his vision.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - VICTORIA

Daniel Adams, 20

Poverty fighter

Daniel (Dan) Adams is a change maker, social justice advocate, educator, innovator, and project director. He was instrumental in organising the 2005 concert for the Make Poverty History campaign, the largest youth-run event ever held in Australia. The concert united 24,000 people at live sites across Australia and reached an audience of 500,000. It is remarkable that someone who started out with no music industry contacts, events management experience, or financial backers could make an event of this magnitude happen let alone sign up 50,000 young Australians to a commitment to fight poverty. Since the concert Dan has continued as a passionate advocate for social justice, channelling his energy into a new project, Schools 4 Schools, facilitating a direct link between schools and students in Victoria and Natal in a peer-to-peer leadership program. He has inspired thousands of young people to actively engage in seeking solutions to world poverty.

Alessandro Demaio, 22

Health promoter

Alessandro (Sandro) Demaio has performed more than 1000 hours of community service with St John Ambulance, 500 hours volunteering with an elderly citizens welfare organisation, and assisted elderly and young people with acquired brain injury. He currently chairs the Asian Medical Students' Association, which creates links between students in Australia, the United Kingdom and Asia and promotes the view that health is a global issue. As a demonstration of this, Sandro recently conducted an international research task on cancer, together with medical students across seven countries. He has participated in diabetes screening and education in rural and Indigenous communities as part of a Royal Flying Doctor Service program and was a delegate for the Monash University Crocfest to promote further education for rural and Indigenous high school students. Sandro was this year's Stonnington Young Citizen of the Year, awarded by his local council for his community service commitment and achievements.

Elise Klein, 23

Youth program facilitator

Elise Klein has made a long-term commitment to the youth-based Reach Foundation, a non-profit organisation that encourages young people to reach their goals and connect with each other. Elise has developed resources for programs to assist young people at risk and programs tailored for young Indigenous women. She co-founded and managed a grass-roots community development project in West Africa in support of education for under-privileged or orphaned young people, healthcare centres, and a micro credit scheme. She has also volunteered with the World Health Organization to create and co-chair the inaugural World Youth Assembly for road safety, worked with Green Steps to assist environmentally sustainable business, and spent two years as a foster carer for injured and orphaned wildlife. Her work was recognised last year when selected as an Australian representative to the United Nations General Assembly. Elise is a very real example of young people inspiring other young people.

Alan Wu, 23

Youth representative

Alan Wu has been an active participant in the community since the age of twelve. He is committed to enabling the voice of young people to be heard and inspiring other young people to participate in their communities. His voluntary work includes appointment to the National Youth Roundtable and National Youth Week planning group; in 2005 being the youngest person ever elected as Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition; appointments to the ABC Advisory Council, the Oxfam International Youth Parliament, and the Commonwealth Youth Parliament; participation in the United Nations General Assembly's special session on action for youth; and last year being the youngest ever participant in the Asialink leadership program. Alan has a passion for ensuring that young people understand and feel confident about getting involved with international processes. He also recognises the importance of understanding our regional neighbours and continually promotes engagement with Asian cultures and societies.

LOCAL HERO - VICTORIA

Manar Chelebi

Tolerance advocate

If you recognise Manar Chelebi, it's probably because she is often seen in newspaper articles, such as when she went on the Long Walk for Aboriginal Reconciliation and when she modelled her Islamic swimwear for Life Saving Victoria. She works tirelessly in the Muslim and broader community promoting peace and harmony. Manar is a primary school teacher, author, mother of three, and she relentlessly supports the less fortunate among us through the Muslim Women's Charity Group. She is involved in many inter-faith activities and is a volunteer fundraiser and pastoral care worker. Manar is at her best when she is speaking to community groups about her faith and promoting cultural diversity and understanding, getting people to look beyond the veil. Responding to life as a scarf-wearing, misunderstood Muslim woman with a typically Australian sense of humour, Manar has been seen wearing a badge stating, 'Relax, it's a head scarf, not a bomb'.

Beau Gerring OAM

Boxing coach

From humble beginnings teaching boxing in a tin shed to selection as an Olympics coach - this has been Beau Gerring's career path. He has dedicated more than fifty years to the Footscray Youth Club. Along the way he has coached teams for many tournaments and produced champion boxers from all backgrounds. His voluntary work far transcends coaching as he has mentored many young people, teaching them self-discipline and respect and giving them the chance to dream. Beau is not only a great boxing trainer, but he is like a father to his young charges. He has turned down numerous lucrative coaching offers from overseas in order to continue his voluntary work here. Beau's contribution to sport was recognised in 1997 with the award of a Medal of the Order of Australia, but it is his contribution to many community groups through exercise, training, fun, and motivation that makes Beau a local hero.

Alistair McCooke

Lifesaver

Ocean Grove surf lifesaver Alistair McCooke has rescued dozens of people from dangerous surf during his 25-year career. He also is an intensive care paramedic who has helped establish emergency response service programs for expatriate staff in Saudi Arabia and been a health and safety supervisor in a United Nations humanitarian mine clearance project in Iraq, where he also trained medics. Alistair was acknowledged as Victorian and National Surf Lifesaver of the Year in 2004, from a field of 33,000 active lifesavers, for his work in promoting life-saving automatic defibrillators as standard equipment for surf lifesaving kits. Research shows that every minute a patient suffers sudden cardiac arrest and does not receive a shock by a defibrillator, their chance of survival decreases by 10% so Alistair is a passionate campaigner with Rural Ambulance Victoria for 'heart safe' communities by having the equipment located wherever large numbers of people gather.

Jonathon Welch

Community choirmaster

Jonathon Welch touched the heart of the nation when he demonstrated the power of singing in building and renewing promising lives that had been saddened and defeated by circumstance. His Choir of Hard Knocks, one of Jonathon's community choir initiatives, raised to new levels Australia's awareness of the problems of homelessness, depression, and addiction. This is just one of many community projects to which Jonathon has given his time. Others include Geelong Pop Kids, the Australian Pop Choir, the Sydney Street Choir, and the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus. Jonathon is also well known to young singing students and choirs as an adjudicator at community eisteddfods and competitions. He continues to perform as a singer in his own right and is a member of Tenor Australia, a trio of professional tenors. Most of all he has shown that engaging with creativity, expression, and most of all, with each other, brings new hope.

WA FINALISTS

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - WA

Mark Bin Bakar

Indigenous arts leader

Known to many across Australia as the multi-media personality Mary G, Mark Bin Bakar has dedicated much of his adult life to increasing cultural understanding and working tirelessly to present an insight into Indigenous culture. Mark has created many opportunities for Indigenous musicians, including establishing the very successful music school Abmusic twenty years ago. As the self-effacing, flamboyant, and powerful 'Queen of the Kimberley,' he has become a national cult figure while also raising awareness of important social issues facing Indigenous people. As well as his nationally broadcast radio show, Mark travels extensively throughout remote areas talking to people about alcohol and drug abuse, health care, emotional wellbeing, respect for elders, domestic violence, and instilling a sense of pride back into the wider community. In 2007, he was recognised as National NAIDOC Person of the Year.

Professor George Jelinek

Multiple Sclerosis pioneer

George Jelinek has excelled in two areas of medicine. First, as one of the pioneers of emergency medicine, he developed Australia's principal textbook in that area and was the first professorial appointment for the discipline. Then, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) eight years ago at the age of 45, George continued his work in emergency medicine but changed the focus of his passion into finding a way to manage and control MS. With characteristic freshness of mind - enquiring deeply, using scientific methods, and then being prepared to accept what he unexpectedly found - George discovered that MS could largely be controlled through lifestyle factors. Good nutrition, exercise, and stress management are as important in MS as they are in heart disease and diabetes. With supportive colleagues, he initiated the world's first lifestyle MS self-help program in 2002 and shares his findings through his book Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis.

Dr David Joske

Contemporary therapies leader

Dr David Joske, Head of Haematology at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, believes that doctors should be healers and on call at all times. David also has no doubt that complementary medicine and ancient healing practices have something to offer. The avalanche of positive feedback from patients has more than vindicated his faith, dedication, and hard work as Director of the Brownes Dairy Cancer Support Centre. This complementary therapies centre, the first of its kind in Australia, is the result of his firmly held belief in the important role that patients have in their own treatment. And so, alongside traditional medical treatments like chemotherapy, you'll find David's patients working with practitioners of the gentle healing arts of acupuncture, aromatherapy, pranic healing, qigong, cranial massage, or any other of the twenty-eight free therapies offered by volunteers. David's groundbreaking work in providing integrated therapies was recognised through his being awarded the 2005 John Curtin Medal.

Patricia Lavater

Young women's supporter

Patricia Lavater has been helping people in crisis since she was fourteen and established a youth drop-in centre at the ripe old age of seventeen. Ten years ago she helped establish a residential program, Esther House, that offered a safe refuge and recovery support for up to ten young women at a time. With the loss of the source of funds, Patricia established the Esther Foundation as an independent organisation to serve the needs of young women in crisis. This residential women's health and development program now operates seven homes in Perth, housing up to thirty young women and their children. Her program does more than provide a safe environment and counselling. It is an extensive recovery program that includes recreation, arts, sport, music, journal writing, reading, winter and summer camps, leadership training, and outreach support for former residents and their families. Patricia has a special gift for repairing broken lives.

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - WA

Dr Stephen Davies

Ornithologist, researcher, mentor

Stephen Davies is a respected researcher who has dedicated his life to preserving Australia's unique natural heritage, particularly bird life, and serving his local, national, and global community by sharing his great wealth of knowledge, ideas, and experience. He acts as a sounding board, offers advice, and steers others in the direction of sustainable and meaningful research. As well as an outstanding career as a CSIRO research scientist, Stephen has extensive experience as an academic, lecturing and developing courses in, for example, wildlife management, vertebrate biology, and land care revegetation. As president of Birds Australia, he produced the original Atlas of Australian Birds, a first for Australian ornithology. He now gives generously in helping students gain field and practical experience, and develop useful networks.

Elaine Forrestal

Children's writer

It was the experience of watching her children grow and develop that sparked Elaine Forrestal's passion for children's literature and led to her nurturing creativity and imagination in children. A friend sent some of Elaine's short stories to a publisher and to her amazement they were accepted immediately; suddenly she was a published author. Her first novel, The Watching Lake, was published in 1991 and, like all of her ten novels, was shortlisted for a prestigious literary award. All of her books have her trademark sure sense of dialogue and are peopled with realistic characters in realistic settings. There are many recurring themes in her work: friendship, the environment, family, peer relationships, music, multicultural and multi-age casts of characters, and contemporary issues that are meaningful to children. Elaine's community work involves mentoring young writers, judging writing competitions, running workshops for young writers, and speaking at conferences and seminars both here and overseas.

Professor Tony McCartney

Gynaecological oncologist and inventor

Over decades of tireless and selfless service to his community Tony McCartney has made an enormous contribution to the wellbeing of Australian women afflicted with gynaecological cancers. His work was recognised recently by his peers for outstanding service resulting in women getting better treatment by more experienced pelvic surgeons. Tony invented a device for a new approach to treating early stage cancer of the lining of the uterus, which usually requires open surgery through an abdominal cut. This is highly invasive and results in visible scarring, tissue damage, blood loss, and a high risk of complications. The McCartney Tube, however, allows keyhole surgery and a safe and practical treatment that results in less tissue damage, lower blood loss, less pain, and a shorter stay in hospital. Above all else Tony has genuine concern and compassion for ordinary human beings and in his field has given much to the community.

Sister Patricia Rhatigan

Remote area educator

Patricia Rhatigan has worked for almost fifty years as a nun in the Kimberly region. Being a nun and working for the needy is all she ever wanted to do, beginning at a leprosarium in Broome and the Beagle Bay mission. She became a classroom teacher in 1960 and served in a range of roles leading to her becoming the foundation regional officer for the Catholic Education Office in Broome. After negotiating for first year undergraduate degrees to be offered fully through the Broome campus of the Notre Dame University, Sister Patricia was appointed Dean of the campus in 1998. Under her leadership the campus inaugurated its studies in nursing and counselling and a Diploma of Indigenous Management. She is a prodigious researcher of remote area teaching and is currently. Coordinator of the Sisters of St John of God Kimberly Centenary activities.

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR - WA

Madhusudhan Bhamidipaty, 19

High achiever

Madhusudhan (Madhu) Bhamidipaty's beginning to his medical and surgery studies was supported by a scholarship that recognised his academic excellence and his outstanding level of achievement in a breadth of community, sporting, academic, and leadership categories as well as the arts. Madhu debuted in senior cricket at the age of 14 and won a Bradman Cricket Scholarship (2006-08); plays clarinet and piano; sets up computers and conducts sing-a-longs in aged care homes; participates as a mentor in peers programs that encourage senior school students to excel; and received an award for the highest aggregate mark in first year Medicine. Madhu is a hard working, sincere, trustworthy, and modest young man who is always available to help others.

Simone McMahon, 25

Organ donor advocate

Born with poor kidney function and suffering chronic renal failure at age nine, Simone McMahon was on dialysis ten hours a day and received a kidney transplant when she was eleven. She has been pa