 
Who will be the Australian of the Year 2007? We're one step closer to knowing the answer to that question with the announcement of our state and territory recipients in all four award categories. This year more than 3,200 Australians nominated a fellow Australian for the award - including many every day Australians who contribute to our nation. These nominations included people from all backgrounds and fields of endeavour. From this group, a few outstanding community members were selected as finalists in each state and territory from an amazing field of nominations made by friends, relatives, neighbours or people who were grateful for their work. Presentation events, announcing state and territory recipients for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero have been held around the country. These recipients will now proceed to the national selection and on 25 January 2006 the national recipients will be announced on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. This group of national finalists includes people like, Professor Barry Marshall and Emeritus Professor Robin Warren from Western Australia for their perserverance in the discovery of the cause of gastritus and peptic ulcer disease. Dame Elisabeth Murdoch for her outstanding contribution to charity and her inspirational philanthropic work and the Beaconsfield Community in standing together and supporting each other in desperate times. With their great story of survival and rescue, the rest of the world has also come to understand the power of mateship, community spirit, and teamwork that drove the tremendous effort behind the miners' rescue. The award recipients are:
Senior Australian of the Year
Young Australian of the Year
Local Hero Metropolitan
Local Hero Regional
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||