6 November 2008. State and Territory 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.
There are four finalists in each award category in each State and Territory. Award recipients will be announced at State and Territory Australian of the Year Awards events to be held throughout November 2008.
All State and Territory award recipients will become finalists for the national awards, which will be announced on 25 January 2009.
Among the state and territory finalists for Australian of the Year are comedian Fiona O’Loughlin (NT), Indigenous leader Professor Michael Dodson AM (ACT), Olympic rower Scott Brennan (TAS), former cricketer and fundraiser Glenn McGrath AM (NSW) and Bonnie Babes Foundation founder Rachel Stanfield-Porter (VIC).
The Senior Australian of the Year state and territory finalists include chef Stephanie Alexander OAM (VIC), fistula surgery pioneer Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (NSW), outback adventurer Malcolm Douglas (WA), musician and fundraiser Ronnie Burns (VIC) and Australian Rules legend John Halbert MBE (SA).
State and territory finalists for Young Australian of the Year include aspiring astronaut Douglas Watts (NT), author Jack Heath (ACT), Paralympian Kurt Fearnley OAM (NSW) and Olympians Stephanie Rice (QLD) and Anna Meares OAM (QLD).
The Local Hero state and territory finalists include charity founder Father Joe Giacobbe (VIC), youth supporter Dr Harald Falge OAM(QLD) and young Muslim leader Chowdhury Sadaruddin (NT).
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.
“We’ve again been inundated with nominations from the public wanting to recognise their fellow Australians for inspirational achievements and contributions to our communities,” said Ms Johnston.
“The state and territory finalists reflect the many different types of people who are admired and respected by Australians.”
This year marks the 30th 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
