Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Australian of the Year nominees:

With the Australian of the Year being named in Canberra on Friday night, here's a rundown on the nominees.
By Motherpedia with AAP
Date: January 24 2013
Editor Rating:
geoffrey_rush

Well-known media identities dominate the 2013 Australian of the Year contest, with finalists including Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes, former magazine editor Ita Buttrose and Harold Mitchell, founder of Australia's largest media and communication group - but other contenders include those who are not so well known but who have also made extraordinary contributions. They are skin cancer researcher Adele Green, internet safety campaigner Sonya Ryan, social justice and Indigenous rights advocate Tom Calma, teacher Andrew Hughes and the co-founders of an Indigenous music label, Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen.

Kerry Stokes, the chairman of Seven West Media, was nominated from Western Australia for his collection of Victoria Cross medals to help preserve Australia's military history.

Ita Buttrose pours her energies into raising awareness of breast cancer, Alzheimer's Disease and HIV/AIDS. The NSW nominee started out as a copy girl at the Australian Women's Weekly, went on to become the founding editor of Cleo magazine and a national celebrity, and later took the helm of The Australian Women's Weekly, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.

The Victorian nominee, Howard Mitchell, has donated more than $10 million to projects linked to health, education and the arts and is the person largely credited for realising huge media deals for two of Australia's top sports - AFL and football (soccer). The founder of Mitchell & Partners overcame many personal hurdles including obesity and alcoholism and now dedicates his time to countless philanthropic causes.

Leading skin cancer researcher Professor Adele Green is the Queensland finalist. She says being named Australian of the Year would mean a big step forward for skin cancer research in Australia.

Adelaide mother Sonya Ryan has made her mark as an internet safety campaigner following the murder of her 15-year-old daughter in 2007 at the hands of a cyber pedophile. Ms Ryan established the Carly Ryan Foundation, which spreads the message about internet safety to schools and universities, and wants the subject to be made a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Another South Australian finalist in the Award, Dr Gerry O'Callaghan, writes for Motherpedia and says Ms Ryan is a wonderful role model for community advocacy and effectiveness.

ACT finalist Tom Calma is recognised for his inspirational work over four decades for the empowerment of all Australians, in particular Indigenous people. He formerly served as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and is co-chair of Reconciliation Australia. Dr Calma's landmark 2005 report calling for the 17-year life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people to be closed within a generation laid the groundwork for the Close the Gap campaign.

Andrew Hughes won Tasmania's nomination for his work bringing the wilderness into classrooms. Known as an adventure teacher, he has developed primary and high school programs that link curriculum studies with wilderness adventures.

The NT's co-nominees, Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen, are the founders and directors of a Darwin-based record label that supports Indigenous musicians in Tasmania, Tiwi Islands and Timor-Leste. Over the past 14 years, they have nurtured a new generation and genre of performers through business development all the way to the world stage, connecting remote communities with metropolitan music listeners.

Other awards to be announced tonight include the Senior Australian of the Year, the Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero (community award). Last year's winners were Geoffrey Rush, Laurie Baymarrwangga, Marita Cheng and Lynne Sawyers.

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
0 Total Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
tom_calma
The date of Australia Day needs debate because it's not…
Read more
fed_story
Fed Square in Melbourne invites all Australians to tell their…
Read more
australia
Australia is evolving to be a very different nation by…
Read more
robogals
Congratulations to all nominees and winners in the 2012 Australian…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.