Australian of the Year Finalists 2009
Tony Bower-Miles
Landmine clearer
Tony 'Bomber' Bower-Miles is a Vietnam veteran who is voluntarily spending his retirement removing landmines in Cambodia. Tony has teamed up with another veteran, Roy Chamberlain, to work as the only known freelancers removing landmines in the countryside for free. In Brisbane, Tony raised enough money to buy seven mine detectors, engraving each one with the name of an Australian army field engineer who was killed by a landmine incident in South Vietnam. Tony describes the altruistic work he does as therapeutic, helping him to make peace with his past.
Professor Ross Homel AO
Criminology expert
Since Professor Ross Homel's appointment as Foundation Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University in 1992, he has played a key role in establishing the world's first Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, and raising Queensland's international standing as one of the world's academic hotspots for excellence in criminology research. Professor Homel's early research was instrumental in the introduction of Random Breath Testing, and seven years ago he developed the Pathways to Prevention project, a successful comprehensive early intervention project for disadvantaged families. His quest to explain crime and develop direct interventions for community problems distinguishes his work.
Professor David Johnson
Leading nephrologist
Professor David Johnson is one of Australia's leading nephrologists and a clinician of the highest reputation. He is currently Director of Renal Medicine at Princess Alexandra Hospital and Clinical Coordinator of the Queensland Health Renal Clinical Services Network. He holds positions on national and international medical committees and on the consultant advisory boards of 12 pharmaceutical and dialysis companies. He has an international reputation and has led the way in Australia with the revolution of early recognition and best care of people with a chronic kidney disease. As Chair of the Kidney Check Australia Task Force he has just achieved a breakthrough that will enhance the detection of chronic kidney disease.
Bronwyn Sheehan
Literacy advocate
When Bronwyn Sheehan realised that the literacy levels of children in foster care were lower than the average, she developed the Pyjama Foundation, which focuses on building literacy skills. Volunteers spend an hour a week simply reading with a foster child in their home. The organisation's motto is 'every child needs an angel' and the one-on-one focus makes the child feel special, developing their confidence and self-belief, and providing them with a positive role model. Bronwyn has inspired over 500 volunteers to give their time every week, making a real difference to some of Australia's most vulnerable children.
Senior Australian of the Year Finalists 2009
Fred Hyde AM
Charity founder
CO-ID (Co-Operation In Development) is a small and humble charity organisation that reflects the down-to-earth nature of its founder, Fred Hyde. Working in Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, CO-ID has helped to educate more than 50,000 children in 37 local schools built by the charity. Few charities are run as leanly and simply as CO-ID, but because of Fred's leadership they have managed to create a remarkable school network unlike any other in the region. At 85 years old, Fred still spends eight months of the year on the ground in Bangladesh running CO-ID, ensuring a brighter future for children of Bangladesh.
Jean Illingworth
Revolutionary principal
Jean Illingworth has single-handedly transformed a dysfunctional Indigenous school into a much admired model of success. Prior to her arrival as principal of the school, class attendance at Djarragun was low, and violence and drugs were rife. Through tough love she has transformed the school, partly attributing her success to the school's extensive vocational education program which covers areas like engineering, construction, music and business. Jean is now planning to build a primary boarding school nearby for 50 Indigenous students who have been judged to be at risk of harm if left in their communities.
Kenneth Leonard
Charitable leader
Ken Leonard has supported the local, national and international communities for almost five decades. He is currently President of the largest Lions Club in South East Queensland, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lions Recycle for Sight Australia. The project has collected over of 2.5 million pairs of used spectacles and distributed them to Third World countries. Despite his international work, Ken never forgets his local community. He is currently developing a plan to fund $1.5 million of equipment for the Lions Medical Research Foundation in Brisbane. Ken has invested his humanity, energy and talents into improving the lives of those around him.
Michael O'Neill
Jobs creator
In 1999, Mike O'Neill established the Silver Lining Foundation to give young people a second chance in life. Through the Foundation he set up the National Indigenous Centre for Enterprise Development near Wondai, which offers employment and nationally-accredited training. It is the first centre of its kind in Australia to develop small enterprises that offer paid jobs. One of the projects the Centre undertook was the building of a Nursery, which provided employment opportunities while giving back to the environment. Mike is determined to make a difference in young people's lives.
Young Australian of the Year Finalists 2009
Jonty Bush - 29
Victim's support worker
In her short life Jonty Bush has experienced more tragedy than most of us ever will. When she was 21 her beloved younger sister was murdered, and then just five months later her father was killed as the result of an unprovoked attack. While still grief-stricken she began to volunteer with the Queensland Homicide Victim's Support Group, and at just 27 she was appointed CEO of the organisation. In all that she does Jonty shows others how to cope with their day-to-day lives after a tragedy, and helps them build a future for themselves despite their loss.
Anna Meares OAM - 25
Cycling champion
As one of the world's leading young cyclists, Anna Meares is the current Olympic and Commonwealth champion in the women's 500m time trial. She was the first woman to break the 34-second barrier for the 500m time trial, and the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold on the velodrome. After a fall which fractured a vertebrae in her neck early in 2008, Anna thought her dreams of competing at the Beijing Olympics were over. However, with sheer guts and determination Anna not only competed, but won silver, amazing the sporting world and inspiring others.
Matthew Mitcham - 20
Diving sensation
Matthew Mitcham is a courageous man, not only for his ability to leap from 10-metre diving boards, but also because he was the first Australian to go to the Olympics as an openly gay man. His journey has been a difficult one. He battled depression and anxiety, and retired from the sport in his teenage years after physical and emotional burnout. In 2007, he returned to diving and at the Bejing Olympics he pulled off a stunning final dive in the 10-metre platform, scoring four perfect 10s to claim gold. It was the highest scoring dive in Olympic history. Matthew's fighting spirit and courage is an inspiration to others.
Stephanie Rice - 20
Swimming star
Brisbane's Stephanie Rice burst onto the swimming scene seemingly out of nowhere at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, taking out gold medals in the 200m and 400m individual medleys. Then at the Olympic trials she smashed the world record in both individual medleys. In Beijing she went on to win three Olympic gold medals in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and 4x200m freestyle relay, and smash another two world records. Dubbed Australia's Queen of the Pool, Stephanie shows grace and humility in winning, and is an excellent role model for young Australians.
Australia's Local Hero Finalists 2009
Dr Harald Falge OAM
Cairns
Homeless support worker
Harald Falge has worked tirelessly for many years to alleviate homelessness and hunger in the Cairns region. He started by making meals that he and his wife distributed from the boot of his car, and then in 1991 he established Street Level Youth Care. Harald organised volunteers to cook meals and deliver them to the local church for distribution and runs a van that feeds young people a free meal every night of the year. In addition, he is currently fundraising to build Harald's House, an accommodation centre for young people. Harald's positive impact on the homeless youth of Cairns has been extraordinary.
Cyril Golding
Gladstone
Philanthropic businessman
When Gladstone's Cyril Golding started his business as a sole operator in 1942 he had no idea that it would become a mining and construction company employing 1000 people and running one of the largest privately owned earthmoving fleets in the Southern Hemisphere. He has supported the Red Cross emergency accommodation facilities, the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, and the Central Queensland University Library, which carries his name. Cyril's voluntary contribution to community life has been so significant that he is often referred to as Mr Gladstone. He is greatly admired and held with tremendous affection by all those who know him.
Dr James Morton
Mount Gravatt
Autism centre founder
Following their son Andrew's diagnosis with autism in 2001, James and his wife Louise established AEIOU, opening Queensland's first full time educational program for pre-school children with autism in 2005 at Moorooka. Drawing on James' experience in creating and establishing the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave for a Cure in 1998, AEIOU now operates 5 centres around Queensland providing 84 full-time placements, the largest service of its type in Australia. Future centres are planned for the Gold and Sunshine Coast in the next 2 years. In the future James would like to see an education system that is more supportive of children who learn differently, and improved vocational opportunities for people with a disability.
Elizabeth Plummer
Edge Hill, Cairns
Cancer campaignerWhen Cairns resident Liz Plummer was diagnosed with breast cancer and began flying to Brisbane for treatment, she quickly realised how vital it was that Cairns receive its own oncology unit. She founded a committee called COUCH (Cancer Oncology Unit Cairns Hospital) and with a growing support team behind her started fundraising. Before long they had $300,000, and in 2007 the State Government made an $8.3 million commitment to extend the hospital with the inclusion of an oncology unit. Liz is now on the road to recovery. Her bravery and determination to help her community in the face of her own suffering have made her a hero in the eyes of many.
