New South Wales

Bernie Banton AM
Abestos victims' advocate

The struggle for justice for individuals, families, and communities affected by asbestos involves many fighters; all were touched and inspired by Bernie Banton's courage, compassion, and commitment. Bernie's own claim for compensation was settled a long time ago. After winning his claim, the fight wasn't about himself, but everybody else. Bernie stood up for the sick, the bereaved, the dying, and for what was right for his community. Despite his own debilitating disease, as Vice President of the Asbestos Disease Foundation, Bernie willingly travelled anywhere to attend meetings, make personal appearances, and give lectures. Bernie generated a happiness, a sense of empathy, and a commendable charity that endears him to everyone with whom he comes into contact.

Bernie Banton passed away 27 November 2007. Our deepest sympathies are with his family.

Victoria

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE
Philanthropist

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is an inspiration and a role model for all seniors with her high level of energy, her generosity of spirit, and her common touch. As well as raising children, she has devoted her life to philanthropy. Before her marriage in 1928, she worked as a volunteer for the RSPCA. She joined the management committee of the Royal Children's Hospital in 1933, serving as its president from 1954 to 1965. An astute and passionate supporter of many worthy causes, particularly the arts, Dame Elisabeth is also firmly committed to the health and welfare of children. She is renowned for her compassion and generosity and is universally admired for her tireless philanthropic works. It has been said that her interests are so many that they need to be listed alphabetically. Dame Elisabeth's high level of charity work, even in her nineties, is inspirational.

Queensland

Dr Clem Jones AO
Civic leader

Clem Jones's contribution to the development of Brisbane is well known. As Lord Mayor from 1961 to 1975, he presided over a term that saw the Queensland capital grow from a sleepy country town into a vibrant and cosmopolitan sub-tropical city. A surveyor by profession and cricket ground curator of some renown, Clem's civic service continued well after his retirement from politics through his membership of many civic, sporting, and professional bodies, such as the Darwin Reconstruction Commission following Cyclone Tracey, the Western Queensland Flood Appeal, and his election as delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1998. His vision, enthusiasm, and energy made him a commanding force in many projects, including aged and disabled persons care, World Masters Games, and Queensland football. His honours included the key to the city of Brisbane and recognition for his contribution to sport with an Associate Membership of the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. 

Dr Clem Jones passed away 15 December 2007. Our deepest sympathies are with his family.

South australia

Phillip Herreen
Disability Mentor 

Phillip Herreen was one of Australia 's most popular speedway drivers until a horrific crash in 1993, in his last race before retiring from the track, left him confined to a wheel chair. The former national speedcar champion is still inspiring people with his deeds. After benefiting from the enduring support of his wife, family, and the speedway fraternity, Phillip understands what it's like for people who don't have a team to support them, so he fills that gap. Originally from the building industry, he now helps people rebuild their lives, brick by brick. He's a volunteer peer support advocate, working side by side with injured people, giving them encouragement, inspiration, and hints on life in a wheelchair. He's a mentor to many sports people who have become disabled through accidents. Phillip is a volunteer facilitator helping youth in trouble for driving and other offences.

Western Australia

Dr Kenneth Collins
Community contributor

Dr Collins has dedicated his life to helping others as a medical practitioner and through volunteer service in a range of civic organisations. Indeed, his community service began when he was a young schoolboy. As far back as 1945 Ken was the top fund raiser for his school's war effort. Throughout his teens and into his thirties he served the community through various church activities and then in his forties he began his long association with Rotary as a volunteer and leader. This was on top of working long days in general practice. In 1980, Ken single-handedly set up Rotary's major fundraiser in WA in the form of a Sunday market, raising more than $3 million for community projects. His service has extended to overseas humanitarian projects and contributions to innumerable committees and organisations, yet still he finds time to play Santa each December for kids and old folk.

Tasmania

Frank Hesman OAM BEM
Community contributor

Frank Hesman has been serving his community since he first arrived in Australia as a migrant in 1950 and he joined the Good Neighbour Council of Tasmania, helping many newcomers to settle in the state. Since that time, he has contributed through positions with the Glenorchy Knights Soccer Club (secretary for forty years), the Tasmanian Ethnic Community Council, the Continental Music Society, Glenorchy Lions Club, and CAVE, which cares for and visits the elderly. Frank has also served as honorary secretary of the Australian Soccer Association for 21 years, organising tournaments in all capital cities. As honorary secretary of the Historical Arms and Military Society he donned uniform and visited veterans in hospital to bring them presents. Frank was also a foundation member of the International Wall of Friendship, built with stones donated by all ethnic communities who have settled in Tasmania , the only monument of its kind in Australia .

Australian Capital Territory

Dr Kaye Price
Indigenous education advocate

Dr Price's commitment to education can be seen in her career as a primary school teacher, principal, university lecturer, Indigenous education consultant, and curriculum writer. The list of advisory and consultative committees and education bodies she has contributed to over the past forty years is very extensive. She has lectured at tertiary levels in Queensland and at the University of Canberra. Kaye has worked tirelessly on improving the educational experience for Indigenous school students through her investigations of pragmatic learning environment programs and her examination of the relationships between school outcomes and Indigenous students' positive self identity. Kaye certainly practises what she teaches. As proof that learning and education is a life-long process, she graduated in 1995 with a Master of Education from the University of South Australia and in 2007 was awarded her doctorate by the ANU's Centre for Cross-Cultural Research. All this while balancing a family support role.

Northern Territory

Patricia Anderson
Indigenous health advocate

Pat Anderson has a national and international reputation as a powerful advocate for the disadvantaged, with a particular focus on Indigenous health. She chairs the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, an exciting collaboration of twelve organisations representing researchers, policy makers, and service delivery agencies working to improve Indigenous health. Pat has spoken before the UN Working Group on Indigenous People and has extensive experience in all aspects of Indigenous health, including community development, advocacy, policy formulation, and research ethics. She is a prolific writer who has published many essays, papers, and articles. Until recently, Pat held the position of Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, which is the peak body of the Aboriginal community health organisations in the Northern Territory , and is a board member of Beyondblue, the bipartisan initiative of federal, state, and territory governments aimed at raising community awareness about depression.