MEDIA RELEASE
16 NOVEMBER 2006
VICTORIA'S AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
11:30AM, MELBOURNE: Philanthropists, a charity founder, a not-for-profit entrepreneur and a paediatrician were today announced as the Victorian recipients in the 2007 Australian of the Year Awards.
The Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC, announced the award recipients at a special event at the National Gallery of Victoria this morning, praising all Victoria's award finalists for their sense of community.
East Hawthorn's Philip Wollen OAM was named Victoria's Australian of the Year for his generosity and humanitarian efforts. Through the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, Philip promotes kindness to all living creatures and strives to make this a key trait in the Australian character. His support knows no bounds, extending to children, the ill, animals, youth in need, the elderly and the environment.
Victoria's Senior Australian of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, has devoted her life to philanthropy. Whether as a volunteer in her younger years or over many years of ongoing support through fundraising and management for various institutions, her generosity of spirit and compassion has made a real difference to many lives. Now in her nineties, she continues to inspire others with her energy and commitment to countless causes.
Twenty five year old Duncan McLean is an entrepreneur who has used his success to help others. The Balaclava local has built a swimwear company with a turnover of more than $500,000 and established the One Funky World Foundation to help others. The Foundation's causes range from providing wheelchairs for people in Tonga to fundraising for sports programs for disabled children to teaching agricultural skills to homeless youth in Port Moresby.
Victoria's Local Heroes were announced as Abbotsford's Shanaka Fernando (Metropolitan) and Highton's Dr Bernard Jenner (Regional).
Shanaka's 'Lentil As Anything' restaurant is a not-for-profit cooperative and youth training enterprise. The policy of 'no set prices' where customers pay only what they can afford or what they think the meal was worth is a highly successful social experiment which encourages people to have an internal conversation with their conscience and their ethics.
Dr Jenner has shown outstanding dedication and leadership in his role as a community paediatrician who provides a holistic approach to supporting families with complex needs. Bernie has the knack of creating support networks for people facing all kinds of disadvantage and then backing away from the limelight to let others take the credit.
The National Australia Day Council said the quantity and quality of nominations from Victoria this year was outstanding and recognised Australian values such as helping others, community involvement and overcoming adversity with quiet determination.
"Its inspiring to see such great Victorians recognised for their efforts to help others," said Tam Johnston, Australian of the Year Awards Manager for the National Australia Day Council.
"Our research has shown that people consider giving back to the community and doing something for others to be highly respected Australian values and Victoria's Australian of the Year award recipients are inspiring examples of these characteristics."
All Victorian award recipients now become national finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards to be announced by the Prime Minister in Canberra on 25 January 2007.
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Click here to read biographies of all state and territory finalists and recipients.
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Nicole Browne at media op(p)s on 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au
