 
The Australian of the Year Awards were founded in 1960, when Sir MacFarlane Burnet OM AK KBE received the inaugural award. Australia Day Committees in each state and territory decided the recipient of the award, although until 1979 the Victorian Australia Day Committee usually won the agreement of the other States with its choice of Australian of the Year. A small panel approved by a federal council of these bodies, essentially composed of leaders of the Victorian Establishment, made the choice. In 1979 a new national coordinating body took charge of proceedings - the National Australia Day Committee. Faced with responsibility for advising the government on all aspects of Australia Day, the new body faced initial opposition from the States. In 1984 the government upgraded the Committee to a Commonwealth-funded council, named the National Australia Day Council, with direct representation from each state and territory. In 1990 it became an incorporated public company, with a chair and board members appointed by the federal government. Since this time, the program has grown to encompass four award categories. The Young Australian of the Year Award was introduced in 1979, Senior Australian in 1999, and Australia's Local Hero Award in 2003. The Australian of the Year Awards program has acknowledged the contributions of many outstanding Australians. |