New South Wales

David Bussau AM
Micro-finance pioneer

Thirty years ago David Bussau went to Bali to help rebuild rural areas devastated by an earthquake and found that traditional development solutions still left poor families trapped in poverty. He realised that what poor people wanted was work and that with jobs they could start to solve many of their other problems. His solution was to offer small business loans - a hand up instead of a hand out. David established the non-profit Maranatha Trust to fulfil his dream of helping the poor help themselves. In 1979 he joined forces with a like-minded counterpart in the USA to form Opportunity International. The results have been outstanding, with over 800,000 clients, mostly women, and creating millions of jobs in twenty-nine developing countries. David continues his work in micro-enterprise development by building relationships and providing consultancy services to governments, multi-national companies, and other organisations that have caught his vision and joined the fight against poverty.

Victoria

Carrillo Gantner AO
Cultural leader

The actor, director, theatre founder, and philanthropist, Carrillo Gantner, has for many years been dedicated to the development of the arts and culture across the breadth of Australian society, directed financial support for worthy activities and the people who drive them, and pursued a more global cultural awareness. This year Carrillo celebrates 25 years as a cultural leader in his numerous roles over the years, including cultural counsellor at the Australian embassy in Beijing; Melbourne city councillor; chair of Asialink, the Sidney Myer fund, the Australia Council Theatre Board, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival; and his present position as chair of the Victorian Arts Centre. Carrillo's hands-on involvement with the arts as the Chairman of The Myer Foundation and the President of the Sidney Myer Fund has made a major and lasting difference to the arts in Victoria and enriched the cultural life of the whole community.

Queensland

Brian Egan
Drought relief helper

Brian Egan knows exactly what drought-stricken families are going through - he lost his own farm in the 1990's due to drought and personal depression. Five years ago he and his wife, Nerida, established Aussie Helpers to try to alleviate hardship and lift the spirits of families severely affected by drought. Tapping into the bush telegraph, Aussie Helpers finds farming families in desperate need of help. Brian and his band of committed volunteers have given away over 200 tonnes of groceries and over 2,000 tonnes of stock feed to keep breeding stock alive across Australia and assisted more than 1,000 farming families. Aussies Helpers raises funds from corporate and public support via donations to the annual Bush Christmas Appeal and the ongoing Drought Relief Appeal. Brian's hampers help transform Christmas from a bleak and depressing time to one of joy and celebration, while other money goes towards farm repairs, dental care, and coastal holidays for outback families.

Western Australia

Sister Patricia Rhatigan
Remote area educator

Patricia Rhatigan has worked for almost fifty years as a nun in the Kimberly region. Being a nun and working for the needy is all she ever wanted to do, beginning at a leprosarium in Broome and the Beagle Bay mission. She became a classroom teacher in 1960 and served in a range of roles leading to her becoming the foundation regional officer for the Catholic Education Office in Broome. After negotiating for first year undergraduate degrees to be offered fully through the Broome campus of the Notre Dame University, Sister Patricia was appointed Dean of the campus in 1998. Under her leadership the campus inaugurated its studies in nursing and counselling and a Diploma of Indigenous Management. She is a prodigious researcher of remote area teaching and coordinator of the Sisters of St John of God Kimberly Centenary activities.

South Australia

Professor Rob Morrison OAM
Science communicator

Professor Rob Morrison's work as a scientist, writer, and media personality has added profoundly to the promotion and understanding of science in Australia. For 40 years he has been a familiar face of science on television, as presenter of The Curiosity Show for eighteen years and appearances on The New Inventors, Nexus, Science Magazine, and Radio National's Ockham's Razor. He has written 31 books and co-written 13 others on science and natural history and under his stewardship the SA Royal Zoological Society has trebled its membership in six years. Rob recently helped establish SciWorld, a new science centre in Adelaide that runs exciting education programs, and developed six regional science fairs and shows, including Adelaide's National Science Week. He is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding science communicator and in the citation for his 2007 Australian Museum Eureka Prize Rob is described as a national treasure and a well-loved ambassador for science.

Tasmania

Les Blakebrough
Leading ceramic artist

In a career spanning five decades Les Blakebrough has become one of Australia's most acclaimed and influential ceramic artists. The list of the solo and joint exhibitions of his works across Australian cities and regions also confirms him as prolific. His body of work has ranged from earthy, functional wares to more recent delicate forms. The beauty of the form of these later works is emphasised by the translucency and fragility of his trademarked Southern Ice Porcelain. Chasing his vision over five years, Les developed a very beautiful material that is quite special, very translucent, very white, and very easy to work with. He has made an extraordinary contribution to visual art, craft, and design in Australia as a practitioner, teacher, mentor, and visionary advocate.

Australian Capital Territory

Professor Linda Reaby AM
Breast cancer awareness pioneer

Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 and has worked tirelessly since then to raise awareness of the disease. She successfully lobbied and wrote the proposal for Australia Breast Cancer Day (ABCD) requesting more public education and research. In 1994, ABCD was launched and the establishment of National Centres for education and research was announced. ABCD is now an annual national event. Linda is a member of the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group and coordinator of its Consumer Advisory Panel. She and a team of researchers have secured approximately $8 million dollars in grants. One grant focused on developing a decision-making model for health professionals on informed decision-making in women about treatment alternatives. This research earned Linda "International Eminent Scientists of the Year". She is Patron for ACT Dragon's Abreast. In 1996 Linda received an OAM for breast cancer activities, and in 2006 an AM for breast cancer activities, and nursing education.

Northern Territory

Joy Green
Mental health services provider

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.