Finalists announced for Australian of the Year 2010

The list of citizens in the running for the Australian of the Year Awards 2010 is now complete, with the winner to be announced on 25 January 2010.

There are 33 Australians vying for the national title in four award categories – Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.

The national awards ceremony will also mark the 50th Anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards program.

Tam Johnston, Program Director for the National Australia Day Council, said the finalists reflected the diversity of Australian society and the values which Australians admire.

“These people represent the best among us, as nominated by their peers and fellow Australians,” said Ms Johnston.

“Their achievements and contributions are admired by others and help inspire us all to be better people, to follow our own dreams and to contribute in whatever way we can.

“No matter who is named Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero in January, all the finalists and indeed all the 2,500 plus nominees, are already winners in the eyes of those who nominated them.”

Australian of the Year 2010 Finalists:

NSW – Jon Dee – Environmental campaigner (Katoomba)
VIC – Professor Patrick McGorry – Mental health expert (Essendon)
QLD – Dr Chris Sarra – Indigenous educator (Caboolture)
WA – Professor Ralph Martins – Alzheimer’s expert (Maddington)
SA – Julian Burton OAM – Charity founder (Adelaide)
TAS – Bruce Englefield – Tasmanian Devils’ advocate (Biceno)
ACT – Dr Patricia Easteal – Human rights advocate (Canberra)
NT – Warwick Thornton – Filmmaker (Alice Springs)

Senior Australian of the Year 2010 Finalists:

NSW – Lyn Thorpe – Surgical theatre nurse (Charlestown)
VIC – Nigel Dick AM – Odyssey House founder (Camberwell)
QLD – Ron Rankin AM – Surf lifesaving leader (Cleveland)
WA – June Butcher AM – Wildlife rescuer (Gooseberry Hill)
SA – Maggie Beer – Cook and restaurateur (Nurioopta)
TAS – Bill Mollison – Permaculture advocate (Sisters Creek)
ACT – Dr John Buckingham – Breast cancer surgeon (Canberra)
NT – Alan Langworthy – Technological innovator (Berrimah)

Young Australian of the Year 2010 Finalists:

NSW – Jack Manning Bancroft – Indigenous mentor (Balmain)
VIC – Larissa Brown – Sustainability leader (Melbourne)
QLD – Jean Madden – Shelter designer (Upper Brookfield)
WA – Trooper Mark Donaldson VC – Courageous solider
SA – Danielle Catanzariti – Actor (Murray Bridge)
TAS – Brad Smith – Entrepreneur (Legana)
ACT – Pierre Johannessen – Basketballer and humanitarian (Isaacs)
NT – Liam Jurrah – AFL star (East Bentleigh)

Australia’s Local Hero 2010 Finalists:

NSW – Ronni Kahn – Food rescuer (Bronte)
VIC – Kevin & Rhonda Butler – Bushfire recovery volunteers (Kilmore East)
QLD – Mayor Paul Pisasale – Dedicated Mayor (Ipswich)
WA – Rhonda Parker – Dynamic volunteer (Boyup Brook)
SA – Mike Coddington – Volunteer fire fighter (Murray Bridge)
TAS – Delwyn Polden – Generous teacher (Burnie)
ACT – Julie Grehan – Disabilities volunteer (Higgins)
NT – Norma Higgins – Horticulturalist (Katherine)