Australian of the Year Finalists 2009

Pam Harrison
Nurse and philanthropist
Pam Harrison is a dedicated senior registered nurse who has been raising funds for the Lirhanzo Children's Village for AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, sourcing medical and educational supplies in Australia and arranging their transport through South Africa. Pam's fundraising efforts have helped build sections of the school and fund water projects. She was integral in organising essential pharmaceuticals for the local hospital and secured regular funding for doctors' salaries. Pam demonstrates that one person can make an enormous difference in the seemingly overwhelming problems facing Third World countries like Zimbabwe.

Will MacGregor
Youth support worker
In 1999, Will McGregor began Bush Mob to tackle problems like alcohol and drug abuse, violence and suicide, by taking young people out bush overnight and empowering them to take control of their lives. This year Will established a Bush Mob Youth Residential Service, aimed at young people wanting to get their lives back on track without the use of alcohol or drugs. He has also set up an Outreach Team who visit young people and their families, listen to their concerns and offer support. Will has worked with thousands of young people and their families in Central Australia and is making a real difference in young people's lives.

Fiona O'Loughlin
Comedian and foster mother
Fiona O'Loughlin is one of Australia's most popular female comedians who has performed all over the world. Based in Alice Springs, she has shown that you can live in the Territory and still maintain an international career. Fiona has succeeded in the largely male dominated field, developing her own warts-and-all style of comedy based on her experiences as a mother. Yet in addition to raising her own five children, Fiona has fostered over 30 children. A quiet achiever in her local community, she has worked selflessly to give those less fortunate a better start in life. Fiona may be one of the funniest working mothers in Australia, but she is also one of the most dedicated.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Indigenous singer/songwriter
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is from North-East Arnhem Land. Blind since birth, he is a gifted musician who has a unique talent of playing right-handed strung guitars left-handed. In 2008, his debut solo album, Gurrumul, was released to critical acclaim. Named male artist of the year at the 2007 Northern Territory Indigenous Music awards, and awarded two arias at the ARIA Awards 2008, his music has been acclaimed around the world. Geoffrey sings in a mixture of local language and English about his spiritual connection with the land, his love of country, and the importance of his ancestors. He is an inspirational example of triumph over adversity, and of extraordinary talent.

Senior Australian of the Year Finalists 2009

Coralyn Armstrong
Hardworking educator
Corrie Armstrong is a remarkable woman who has worked tirelessly as the Principal of Ramingining CEC, a remote school in East Arnhem Land for the last six years. Coralyn is dedicated to her teaching and determined to improve Indigenous health and education in Ramingining. Her caring and compassionate approach has seen great improvements in Indigenous literacy levels and student health. Corrie is highly respected in the field of education for her determination to help Indigenous children succeed and reach their potential.

Julia Battison
Community worker
In the early-1980s, the town of Palmerston, in the Northern Territory, was built. Recognising that there were no markets in the town, Julia organised markets to offer the town's new citizens fresh food, toys and other goods. The markets, which Julia has managed for the last 24 years, evolve around families. Julia is committed to ensuring that families of all socio-economic backgrounds have access to free entertainment in a safe environment. The markets are now an example of how people from different backgrounds can live and work together in harmony.

Bryan and Kathy Massey
Dedicated community supporters
Bryan and Kathy Massey arrived on Groote Eylandt as missionaries nearly 40 years ago, knowing very little about Aboriginal culture. In the years that followed they developed a trusting, close partnership with the Aboriginal community of Angurugu. They introduced a program to counteract alcohol and substance misuse, a Meals on Wheels program, disability services, and their greatest success was fulfilling the communities long-term wish to have an aged care facility. As a long line of missionaries and other non-Indigenous staff have come and gone over the years, Bryan and Kathy have remained, committed to assisting the community they have grown to love so deeply.

Max Tate
Solar power enthusiast
For more than 15 years Max Tate has been inventing and creating solar powered vehicles which produce no emissions and cost nothing to run. Affectionately known by the locals as Mad Max, he is a great adventurer and a gyrocopter enthusiast. He takes locals and tourists on flights aboard his gyrocopter, and was the first person to ever fly one across the Tanami Desert. Max's love of life that is infectious. With his oft repeated motto of 'who needs drugs when you can get high on life,' he inspires people to live life to the full and makes his community a better place to live.

Young Australian of the Year Finalists 2009

Ngaree Ah Kit - 27
Young Indigenous leader
Ngaree Ah Kit is a young woman of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Chinese descent who is passionate about encouraging other young people to take a leadership role in the community. She is the Chairperson of the Top End NAIDOC Committee and voluntarily coordinated the 2007 NAIDOC Week youth events in Darwin. Her advocacy for Indigenous affairs has seen her take on numerous roles, including becoming a member of the National Indigenous Leadership Group and the local Youth Round Table. Ngaree works tirelessly to encourage Indigenous people to participate in the decision-making processes that affect them and make a real difference.

Rachel Meldrum - 24
Talented scientist
Rachel Meldrum is on a mission to help the local banana industry. Panama disease in bananas is regarded as one of the most destructive diseases in the recorded history of agriculture. A particularly virulent strain of the disease has caused a 60 per cent decline in the Northern Territory's banana production over the last 11 years. Rachel is investigating how the disease is carried between farms to help inform a solution. Rachel demonstrates that the influence, creativity and skills of young scientists are vital to our nation's wellbeing.

Amy Robinson - 20
Youth leader
Currently the Northern Territory's representative for National Youth Week, Amy Robinson represents the Territory on a national scale. For the past six years Amy has also been a youth parliamentarian and is involved in supporting the wider community. She is a Red Cross volunteer, spends time reading to the elderly, and is an animal welfare volunteer at the RSPCA. Amy is a shining example of the positive contribution one young person can make, whilst still working and studying full time.

Douglas Watts - 20
Aspiring astronaut
Douglas Watts hopes to one day be the first Before receiving an international scholarship, Douglas worked in mining and offshore oil rigs to fund his Aerospace Engineering studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. The university is located near the Kennedy Space Centre and works closely together with leading aerospace companies to groom NASA's future astronauts. Douglas has the honour of being the first Australian to be accepted to study Aerospace Engineering at the university and is an inspiration to young people across the world demonstrating how with determination and passion you can pursue your dreams.

Australia's Local Hero

Basma Ganalarritj
Elcho Island
Carer
Basma Ganalarritj is a Yolngu woman living in a remote community off the coast of North-East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. She lives in difficult surroundings and yet she cares for many neglected children in the Gali'winku community by bringing them into her home, feeding them, taking care of their health needs and ensuring that they attend school every day. She often pays for the children's needs from her small wage as an assistant teacher. Basma's contribution to the community and the impact she has had on these children's lives in incalculable. Her compassion and care for others is a shining example to all Australians.

Dr Tharmalingam Mahendrarajah
Nakara
Ophthalmic surgeon
Many patients in the Northern Territory owe their sight to the work of Dr Tharmalingam Mahendrarajah. For nearly three years he was the only ophthalmic surgeon in the Top End, supporting both the Royal Darwin and Darwin Private hospitals. During this time he was always on call, night and day, seven days a week. He has been instrumental in actively tackling the prevalent problems associated with Indigenous eye health, including diseases such as trachoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy. He is a dedicated professional whose commitment to his patients is absolute, and yet despite the high esteem in which he is held he remains truly humble.

Peter Mostran
Alice Springs
Transport enthusiast
Peter Mostran has lived nearly all his life in Alice Springs and has contributed to its growth, maturity and the 'can do' attitude that is a proud Territorian trait. In 1987, he joined Rotary and got involved with the Henley-On-Todd. Over the years Peter and his staff have worked tirelessly to prepare the race site and have been instrumental in retaining the iconic event as an Alice institution. Peter is also well known for his dedication to the Hart's Range Amateur Race Club and knowledge of the transport industry. An astute businessman in the field, he has been inducted into the Transport Hall of Fame. Peter does everything with complete effort and commitment.

Chowdhury Sadaruddin
Gunn
Muslim community leader
Chowdhury Sadaruddin's contribution to the Islamic community in Darwin is significant. As President of the Islamic Society of Palmerston he has been working to establish a centre for the Muslim community in Palmerston to cater for the religious, cultural and social needs of the Muslim community. The Centre will serve as a venue for open days to promote harmony between Muslims and those of other faiths, strengthening the local community and fostering mutual respect and understanding. Chowdhury has also been instrumental in establishing the Territory's first Islamic school. His effort to improve his community's standing and lifestyle in the Territory is boundless.