Queensland finalists for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero awards were announced today. They include a landmine clearer, the founder of an autism centre, a school principal with a difference and an Olympic golden girl.
There are four finalists in each award category and recipients will be announced at the Queensland Australian of the Year Awards event on Friday 28 November 2008 in Brisbane.
The Queensland recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards. The national awards will be announced on 25 January 2009.
Ms Tam Johnston, Director of the Australian of the Year Awards, said the finalists were selected from more than 3,300 nominations received from across the nation.
"The Queensland finalists represent the breadth of people who inspire their fellow Australians - from world-beating athletes who make us proud to everyday people who make a real difference in our communities and around the world," said Ms Johnston.
"All the finalists are to be admired for their contributions and achievements."
The Queensland finalists are:
QLD AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Tony Bower-Miles - Landmine clearer (Underwood)
Professor Ross Homel AO - Criminology expert (Indooroopilly)
Professor David Johnson - Leading nephrologist (Woolloongabba)
Bronwyn Sheehan - Literacy advocate (Lutwyche)
QLD SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Fred Hyde AM - Charity founder (Warrick)
Jean Illingworth - Revolutionary principal (Gordonvale)
Kenneth Leonard - Charitable leader (Rothwell)
Michael O'Neill - Jobs creator (Chapel Hill)
QLD YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Jonty Bush - Victim support worker (Lutwyche)
Anna Meares OAM - Cycling champion
Matthew Mitcham - Diving sensation
Stephanie Rice - Swimming champion
QLD LOCAL HERO
Dr Harald Falge OAM - Homeless support worker (Cairns)
Cyril Golding - Philanthropic businessman (Gladstone)
Dr James Morton - Autism centre founder (Mt Gravatt)
Elizabeth Plummer - Cancer campaigner (Cairns)
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Commonwealth Bank's involvement with the Australian of the Year Awards.
For more information of the Australian of the Year Awards visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au.
Ends.
Finalist bios attached with this media release or downloadable from www.australianoftheyear.org.au
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
QUEENSLAND FINALISTS 2009
Australian of the Year - QLD Finalists
Tony Bower-Miles
Landmine clearer
Tony 'Bomber' Bower-Miles is a Vietnam veteran who is voluntarily spending his retirement removing landmines in Cambodia. The task is mammoth. There are an estimated four to six million mines strewn on a land mass the size of Tasmania, and some say it will take a century to complete. Tony, and fellow Vietnam veteran, Roy Chamberlain, have travelled to Cambodia together to disarm mines. Tony taught Roy how to lift and disarm landmines with nothing more than a dental probe and a pair of pliers. They are believed to be the only freelancers removing landmines in the countryside for free, and work with local man, Aki Ra, who at the time of first meeting them had voluntarily lifted 33,000 mines on his own using just a stick. In Brisbane, Tony ran chook raffles to raise 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
Professor Ross Homel's contribution to the field of criminology - in particular through research into the causes of crime, early intervention and prevention methods - has been outstanding. Since his 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 research interests lie in theoretical analysis of crime and associated societal problems, and in the development, implementation and evaluation of prevention interventions. Seven years ago he developed the Pathways to Prevention project, a successful comprehensive early intervention project for disadvantaged families. His early research was instrumental in the introduction of Random Breath Testing, and he is currently providing the Federal Government with expertise in relation to social inclusion issues, violence and youth drinking problems. Professor Homel combines the rare qualities of a truly gifted scholar with a passion and tenacity to ensure that his work improves the community's quality of life. His quest to explain crime and apply his knowledge to 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 offers the unusual blend of an academic mind mixed with clinical commitment that is always applied with consideration and compassion. His commitment to ensuring quality of life and giving hope to people suffering from kidney disease is outstanding. 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 in the field 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. With the number of Australians waiting for a transplant increasing, Professor Johnson is helping to address public awareness of the need for organ donations.
Bronwyn Sheehan
Literacy advocate
When Bronwyn Sheehan realised that foster children were not being given the same opportunities in life as other children she decided to do something about it. Statistics show that only eight per cent of foster children achieve average literacy levels by age seven and 75 per cent do not finish school. Bronwyn developed a simple idea that has had huge benefits. Launched as the Pyjama Foundation in 2004, the organisation focuses on building literacy skills. Volunteers spend an hour a week simply reading with a foster child. They visit the child in their home and follow the child if they move house. They read with them, play games and act as the child's own angel. The organisation's motto, 'every child needs an angel' underlines Bronwyn's basic tenet that children's lives can be improved by helping them to read. The one-on-one focus also makes the child feel special, developing their confidence and self-belief, and providing them with a positive role model. Bronwyn has inspired more than 500 volunteers to give their time every week to a foster child and her program is backed by literacy experts such as author Mem Fox. Bronwyn is making a real difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children.
Senior Australian of the Year - QLD Finalists
Fred Hyde AM
Charity founder
CO-ID (Co-Operation In Development) is a 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. It all began after Fred's retirement when he was drawn to the Indian Sub Continent region where he started looking after an orphanage run by an Australian aid agency. This life-changing experience inspired him to provide basic education for as many local children as possible. After years of laying the groundwork, he established CO-ID in Bhola Island, one of the poorest areas of Bangladesh in 1991. Few charities are run as leanly and simply as CO-ID, but because of Fred's leadership the organisation has been incredibly effective at getting results. Fred has overseen the evolution of a remarkable school network that provides free education and is 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. At a time when his friends are enjoying retirement, Fred is working tirelessly to ensure a brighter future for children of Bangladesh.
Jean Illingworth
Revolutionary principal
Jean Illingworth has been instrumental in transforming a once dysfunctional Indigenous school into a much admired model of success. Djarragun is an independent college located south of Cairns catering for disadvantaged students with traditionally low rates of participation in school. Prior to her arrival as principal of the school, class attendance was low, and violence and drugs were rife. Through tough love she has transformed the school into a safe place for both boarders and day students with high retention rates. Jean partly attributes this to the school's extensive vocational education program which covers areas like engineering, construction, music and business. She has also deliberately employed a multicultural group of staff from across the world to break down the barriers that often exist between Indigenous and non Indigenous people. Jean wants to continue making improvements in these children's lives, and her most ambitious plan is 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. The Commonwealth government has committed $2 million dollars so far for the building of infrastructure. Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has described Jean as a 'true social entrepreneur.'
Kenneth Leonard
Charitable leader
Ken Leonard has been actively contributing to his local, national and international community for almost five decades. It all began in 1960 when he became a Scout Association leader, a role which he continued for the next 16 years while simultaneously leading the Jamison YMCA. Today he is President of the largest Lions Club in South East Queensland, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lions Recycle for Sight Australia, managing an annual figure of $75 million to help Third World countries. The project has collected over of 2.5 million pairs of used spectacles and distributed them to poor people in need at no expense or obligation to the recipient. Under his leadership the project has extended from collection in South East Queensland to every corner of Australia, delivering to countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While Ken has a vision that is international in scope, he 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 who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream society a second chance. Mike's vision is to help young people lead proud and independent lives. Skeptical of the notion of passive welfare, he wants to equip young people with the skills to improve their lives. To this end the Foundation set up the National Indigenous Centre for Enterprise Development near Wondai, which offers employment and nationally-accredited training. Many Indigenous youth in the area do not finish school and have difficulty finding work, which prompted the Centre's creation. 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. Other projects include Iron Bark Services which provides work fencing and installing cattle watering systems, Forestry Services and hospitality work through a conference and meeting centre that the Foundation established. Mike is determined to make a difference in young people's lives.
Young Australian of the Year - QLD Finalists
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. It is a tribute to her strength and courage that she not only managed to keep going but that she began to help others deal with their grief by becoming a volunteer with the Queensland Homicide Victim's Support Group. The compassion and understanding Jonty showed others brought her recognition among members of the police force and the legal fraternity, and at just 27 she was appointed CEO of the organisation. She has since led the push for a review of the laws surrounding murder and manslaughter, and as a result the Queensland Law Reform Commission is now undertaking such a review. She also developed the One Punch Can Kill campaign, which has been adopted by the Queensland Government in an attempt to prevent further tragedies. 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. Anna started cycling at the age of 11 and in 2001 took out her first major title, winning the Junior Track World Championships. In Athens, Anna won Olympic gold in the 500m time trial in world record time, along with a bronze medal in the sprint, making her the youngest ever female Olympic track cycling champion. Anna's success in Athens saw her become the first woman to break the 34-second barrier for the 500m time trial, and the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold in the velodrome. In 2006, Anna broke her own world record to claim gold at the Track Cycling World Cup in Sydney. But this year Anna suffered what seemed like an insurmountable setback at the Track World Cup when she fell, fracturing a vertebrae in her neck. The injury could have ended her hopes of competing at the Beijing Olympics, but Anna didn't let it stop her. After a gruelling recovery, she went to the Olympics as planned and achieved extraordinary results by winning silver. Her amazing achievement is an example of what can be achieved with determination and sheer guts.
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. Matthew recently claimed gold at the Beijing Olympics but his journey over the years has been a difficult one. He battled depression and anxiety, and retired from the sport in his teenage years after physical and emotional burnout. During his hiatus from the sport, he did some high diving at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney to make money. That job reignited his passion for the sport and just nine months later, in 2007, he returned to diving, producing an astonishing performance at the 2008 Diving Grand Prix, resulting in four perfect 10s. In Bejing, he pulled off a stunning final dive in the 10-metre platform, again scoring four perfect 10s, to steal gold from favourite Chinese diver Luxin Zhou. In doing so he became Australia's first male Olympic gold medallist in diving since Dick Eve in 1924. Not only that, but his dive 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. Aged just 18, she took out gold medals in the 200m and 400m individual medleys. Last year she consolidated the result, winning bronze in both medley events at the World Championships in Melbourne. She was a star on the rise, but no one anticipated what would happen at the Olympic trials where she took an astounding six seconds off her personal best to smash the world record in the 400m individual medley. She followed with a second world record in the 200m individual medley four days later. 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 says she still can't believe her Olympic success. 'The results I achieved were a huge shock for me … The proudest moment for me was standing on the dias with the Australian National Anthem playing.' Stephanie shows grace and humility in winning and is an excellent role model for young Australians.
Australia's Local Hero - QLD Finalists
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 each night that he and his wife would hand out from the boot of his car, and then in 1991 he established the volunteer organisation Street Level Youth Care. Harald began working with a group of volunteers who would cook meals at home and deliver them to the church for distribution. The organisation runs a van that volunteers drive to the local park every night where young people under the age of 21 can receive a free meal. As well as meeting young people's physical needs of food, clothing and shelter, Harald also wants to promote a sense of self worth and guide them in a positive direction. The organisation's policy is to be non-judgmental and non-discriminatory, working within personal relationships based on trust and mutual respect. In addition, Harald is well on the way to building Harald's House, an accommodation centre for young people. He has already successfully fundraised almost half of the $1 million needed and secured a block of land and the support of a local building company. 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. Under Cyril's leadership Golding Contractors has played a prominent role in shaping the economic development and prosperity of Queensland, undertaking many major civil infrastructure projects and mining developments. Furthermore, Cyril's voluntary contribution to community life has been so significant that he is often referred to as Mr Gladstone. 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. He has also contributed financially to a wide range of charitable causes. Cyril was born with a hole in his heart and predicted to live only seven days. He survived a further two similar predictions during his life, and has recently retired as the company's managing director at the age of 87. He is greatly admired and held with tremendous affection by all those who know him.
Dr James Morton
Mount Gravatt
Autism centre founder
When James Morton's son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two he began to receive high quality care through an early intervention program. But when the program was closed a year later James was concerned about the plight of his family and others in a similar situation. This led to his creation of the Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit (AEIOU), which provides a centre-based, full-time early intervention program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder aged two to five years. As Founder and Director, James opened the first 'pod' in February 2005 and now supports 14 full-time placements. The program is run by speech therapists, occupational therapists, early childhood education specialists, psychologists, and teacher aids. Children who complete the program are offered school transition and ongoing support. James aims to establish pods state-wide in the next four years and intends to offer the program for the same cost as mainstream childcare with similar subsidies. In addition to his work for AEIOU, James is a clinical haematologist at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the Mater Private Centre for Haematology and Oncology, and is Director of Haematology Oncology Clinics of Australasia. James wants to see a future that includes greater Federal Government support for carers, and the development of truly inclusive education for disabled children, beginning in early childhood.
Elizabeth Plummer
Edge Hill, Cairns
Cancer campaigner
When Cairns resident Liz Plummer was diagnosed with breast cancer she began flying to Brisbane for treatment. Despite battling her own illness, she started campaigning for a much-needed oncology unit to be established in Cairns. She quickly established a presence in the media and founded a committee called COUCH (Cancer Oncology Unit Cairns Hospital). With a growing support team behind her, the committee organised charity walks, raffles and balls - anything they could think of to raise money. Before long they had $300,000, and at the end of 2007 the State Government was unable to ignore Liz's campaigning any longer. They 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 and still campaigning to ensure the Federal Government delivers on its promise of five chemotherapy chairs. Liz's bravery and determination to help her community in the face of her own suffering have made her a hero in the eyes of many.
