The Northern Territory finalists for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero were announced today.
Territory finalists include an Indigenous artist and educator, a sports coach, a tourism industry leader, a campaigner against petrol-sniffing and a young journalist.
Ms Tam Johnston, National Manager of the Australian of the Year Awards, said nominations for this year's awards reflected the values Australians admired in others.
"We received more than 3,000 nominations for people who are contributing to the community, who are taking a leadership role in our society and whose achievements are an inspiration," said Ms Johnston.
Ralph Norris, Chief Executive Officer of major sponsor Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said the finalists demonstrated the diversity of Australian society and the importance of community.
"The finalists in this year's awards make a difference within local communities or to the Australian community as a whole and their contributions are a vital part of what makes this country great," said Mr Norris.
Recipients of each category will be announced at the Northern Territory Australian of the Year Awards Ceremony on Friday 16 November at Parliament House, Darwin at 5:30pm. Recipients in each category then become national finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra on 25 January, 2008.
The Northern Territory finalists are:
NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Professor Jonathan Carapetis - Researcher and paediatrician (Casuarina)
Dr Bart Currie - Health researcher (Casuarina)
Blair McFarland - Anti petrol-sniffing campaigner (Alice Springs)
Miriam-Rose Ungunmeer-Baumann AM - Indigenous artist and educator (Daly River)
NORTHERN TERRITORY SENIO R AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Jack Crombie - Tracker and community contributor (Alice Springs)
Joy Green - Mental health services pioneer (Casuarina)
Penni Tastula - Tourism industry leader (Darwin)
Gulumbu Yunupingu - Artist and traditional healer (Nhulunbuy)
NORTHERN TERRITORY YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Caleb Campion - Top student (Winnellie)
David Johnston - Science and sports achiever (Alice Springs)
Simone Liddy - Groundbreaker (Nakkara)
Emma McLaren-Alexander - Voice for youth (Nhulunbuy)
NORTHERN TERRITORY LOCAL HERO
Jack Hamilton OAM - Community support (Millner)
Noel Harris - Health and fitness coach (Alice Springs)
Denise Kelly - Foster mum (Darwin)
Peter Whelan AM - Medical entomologist (Casuarina)
Ends.
Finalist bios attached with this media release.
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Nicole Browne, Media Opps
02 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au
BIOGRAPHIES - NT FINALISTS, AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2008
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
Safe petrol 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 & Community contributor
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 working 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 Gulumbu 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 been involved in setting 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
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 and others 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. Simone'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.
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 Nhulunbuy, 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.
LOCAL HERO - NT
Jack 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.
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.
