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Australia Now

Australians of the Year

Since 1960, Australia has celebrated the achievements and contributions of eminent citizens through the Australian of the Year Awards. The awards recognise leading Australians who are role models for all.

Background

From their inception in 1960 until 1979, the Australian of the Year Awards were managed by the Victorian Australia Day Committee, which gained input from the other states on their choice of Australian of the Year.

In 1979, a new national coordinating body—the National Australia Day Committee—was given responsibility for advising the government on all aspects of Australia Day, a national holiday held on 26 January each year. In 1984, the committee was upgraded to the National Australia Day Council and, in 1990, it became an incorporated public company, with a chair and board members appointed by the federal government.

The program has grown to encompass four award categories: Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year (introduced in 1979), Senior Australian (introduced in 1999), and Australia’s Local Hero (introduced in 2003).

The awards program has two program levels: state/territory and national. Recipients for each award at the state/territory level are automatically eligible for the national level. The state/territory process takes place in October, when finalists and recipients are selected by a panel of local officials, community and National Australia Day Council representatives, sponsors and past recipients.

Each panel selects for its state/territory: one Australian of the Year recipient and three finalists; one Senior Australian of the Year recipient and three finalists; one Young Australian of the Year recipient and three finalists; and one Local Hero recipient and three finalists.

A nominee can only be selected as a finalist or recipient in one awards category in a given year. A total of 12 people will be recognised in each state/territory. The state/territory Australians, Senior Australians and Young Australians of the Year and all Local Heroes (a total of 32 people) constitute the national finalists. The Board of the National Australia Day Council is the national selection panel.

The award is for individuals or groups of individuals only. Politicians and the vice-regal (Queen’s) representatives are not eligible.

All nominees are considered for the Australian of the Year Award. Nominees aged 60 years and over on Australia Day will also have their names put forward for the Senior Australian of the Year Award and nominees aged 16 to 25 for the Young Australian of the Year Award. All are considered for Australia’s Local Hero Award.

Selection criteria

Consideration is given to nominees’ achievements in the year immediately prior to the awards, as well as their lifetime achievements and ongoing contribution to the Australian community and nation. They need to demonstrate excellence in their field and be an inspirational role model. The Local Hero award acknowledges a significant contribution at the local community level.

Selection panels also consider nominees’ personal, academic and professional achievements; what the nominee has ‘put back’ into their field and the community; demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity; future goals and likely impact; degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made; and previous awards and recognition.

Voluntary work, achievements, and availability and commitment to promote national pride and active citizenship though the year of the recipient’s appointment are also considered. Australian of the Year Awards recipients must also be representative of a diverse nation, across gender, age, location, ethnicity and field of endeavour.

Australians of the Year

Fifty-two outstanding individuals and one group have been named Australian of the Year since the program was introduced in 1960.

* From 1975 to 1979 the Canberra Australia Day Council also recognised an Australian of the Year.
** The award dating system changed—no award made in this year.

2008 recipients

Australian of the Year—Lee Kernaghan OAM

Lee Kernaghan is a country music performer who has won 24 Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards. His Australian of the Year award recognised his efforts to help rural families through his ‘Pass the Hat Around’ tours, which have raised more than $1 million for communities in need, particularly as a result of drought.

Senior Australian of the Year—David Bussau AM

David Bussau is a social entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of the micro-enterprise movement, which helps alleviate developing world poverty using small loans to the poor. In 1979, he co-founded Opportunity International. The organisation has made 1.25 million loans to people in 23 countries.

Young Australian of the Year—Casey Stoner

Motorbike racer Casey Stoner was named Young Australian of the Year in recognition of his success as a MotoGP champion.

Australia’s Local Hero—Jonathon Welch

Choral conductor Jonathon Welch, who helped a group of down-and-out Australians fight homelessness, depression and drug addiction to sing in his Choir of Hard Knocks, was named Australia’s Local Hero.

Trophies

Australians of the Year receive glass trophies designed and created by Melbourne-based artist Kristin McFarlane. Each is a unique work of art designed to be a representation of Australian symbols and a lasting memory of the recipient’s achievements.

The trophies feature Australian motifs and icons including the Southern Cross, a map of the coastline and the words of the national anthem. The name of the award recipient is embedded in the trophy itself, rather than etched in after its completion.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all dollar amounts are in Australian dollars.

Key dates

Further information


This fact sheet is also available to download ( PDF)

last updated March 2008