New South Wales
Stephen Page
Pioneering choreographer
Stephen Page is an Indigenous dancer/choreographer who has achieved international recognition, bringing together the ancient and the modern with the Bangarra Dance Theatre. After graduating in 1983 he began a professional career as a dancer with the Sydney Dance Company. In 1988 he toured overseas with the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre and, after joining as principal choreographer, in 1991 was appointed artistic director of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. Under Stephen the company has developed a particular style of performance, drawing on both traditional and urban Aboriginal cultures. Stephen's prolific work includes choreographing the Sydney Olympics Games ceremonies, sell-out performances of Bush on Bangarra's Australian and US tours, a stint as Artistic Director of the Adelaide Arts Festival, and numerous film and theatre credits. In 2008 he directed a spectacular traditional smoking ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Stephen also prepared Bangarra's 2008 full length work Mathinna, inspired by a young Aboriginal girl's journey between two cultures.
Victoria
Stuart Appleby
Sportsman and benefactor
Stuart Appleby is a highly successful sportsman and a great community activist. He has won Australia's most important golfing honour, the Australian Open, and consistently features in the top ten of world golf rankings. Stuart is a strong supporter of the Challenge Foundation, raising money for children with cancer. He not only gives of his time and energy, but has personally donated more than a million dollars. After visiting his parents' farm he saw firsthand the devastation and despair caused by drought. Now Stuart also supports beyondblue, with a special focus on combating depression in rural communities. Through his 'birdie meter' he raises donations for every birdie he makes in tournaments. Stuart has a wonderful ability to relate to people of all ages and is the driving force behind Victoria's junior golf foundation. He is a role model as an international achiever and a caring contributor to the community.
Queensland
Lee Kernaghan OAM
Country music legend
Lee Kernaghan is a towering figure in Australian country music and a fine ambassador for his craft. He gave his first public performance at the age of five, formed his first band when he was twelve, and released his first commercial single in 1983. His tally of Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. Lee has a passion for his music and his country and brings these together in his support for country communities across Australia. To many people he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia. In the past ten years his 'Pass the Hat Around' tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the 'Spirit of the Bush' tours raises spirits as well as money for farming families doing it tough in the drought.
Western Australia
Mark Bin Bakar
Indigenous arts leader
Known to many across Australia as the multi-media personality Mary G, Mark Bin Bakar has dedicated much of his adult life to increasing cultural understanding and working tirelessly to present an insight into Indigenous culture. Mark has created many opportunities for Indigenous musicians, including establishing the very successful music school Abmusic twenty years ago. As the self-effacing, flamboyant, and powerful 'Queen of the Kimberley,' he has become a national cult figure while also raising awareness of important social issues facing Indigenous people. As well as his nationally broadcast radio show, Mark travels extensively throughout remote areas talking to people about alcohol and drug abuse, health care, emotional wellbeing, respect for elders, domestic violence, and instilling a sense of pride back into the wider community. In 2007, he was recognised as National NAIDOC Person of the Year.
South Australia
Scott Hicks
Filmmaker
Scott Hicks was propelled to the forefront of international filmmakers in 1996 with his film Shine and its world-wide box office success and honours, including seven Academy Award nominations. Scott has come a long way from his first job as a 'runner' on the set of Storm Boy in 1976. He has gone from strength to strength, with movies Hearts in Atlantis, Snow Falling on Cedars, and No Reservations. Between films, Scott directs high-end commercials including one inducted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Actively involved in his Adelaide Hills vineyard Yacca Paddock, Scott is passionate about South Australia and contributes to the local film industry by post-producing his studio films in Adelaide. His most recent film Glass: A portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts, a documentary about the famous composer, premiered in Australia in March. Scott is a patron of the Tutti Ensemble and the Helpmann Academy Foundation, and supports a number of community organistations and causes in South Australia.
Tasmania
Ken Gourlay
World record sailor
Ken Gourlay dreamt of being the first Tasmanian and the fastest Australian to sail alone, non-stop and unassisted, around the world. With more than 70,000 nautical miles of sailing already behind him, including several Sydney to Hobart races and line honours in a Melbourne to Launceston race, Ken set out in his 42 ft yacht Spirit Silver Edition in November 2006 on his solo quest of circumnavigation. He returned to Launceston in the record time of less than 180 days, just pipping the previous best time set in 2001, and officially became only the sixth Australian to do the journey under the stringent rules that apply to these feats of courage and perseverance. This makes him the fastest, and oldest, Australian to circumnavigate the globe. Along the way, he raised more than $130,000 for the Clifford Craig Medical Reseach Trust into eyesight disorders and diseases in children. Ken truly does live his dreams to the full. On the 1 September 2007, Ken was presented with the key to the City of Launceston for his achievement.
Australian Capital Territory
Lin Hatfield Dodds
Social justice advocate
Lin Hatfield Dodds is a leading advocate of social justice in Australia. As President of the Australian Council of Social Services, Director of UnitingCare Australia, and Chair of the Australian Capital Territory Community Inclusions Board, Lin works tirelessly for low income and disadvantaged Australians. Her advocacy is effective because she is well informed, respectful, and professional. She is also incredibly energetic and brings a great sense of humour to her work. As a working mother, Lin is a role model and inspiration for working women and demonstrates the benefits of a sensible work/life balance. She is renowned for her ability to engage with a wide range of individuals and groups and is respected nationally for helping to achieve better outcomes for people. Lin's contribution was recognised by an International Women's Day Award in 2002 and in 2003 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study anti-poverty strategies and welfare delivery overseas.
Northern Territory
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.
