A suicide prevention volunteer, the founders of a children’s hospice, a whistle-blower policeman, a mathematician, a neuroscientist and an occupational therapist helping veterans overcome their injuries are among the finalists in the 2017 Queensland Australian of the Year Awards.
The Queensland Award finalists announced today are in the running to be named Qld Australian of the Year, Qld Senior Australian of the Year, Qld Young Australian of the Year and Qld Local Hero.
The 2017 Queensland Award finalists are:
2017 Queensland Australian of the Year
► Dr Nora Amath – Humanitarian (Logan)
► Michael Lyddiard – Occupational therapist (Townsville)
► Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Smith – Biomolecular scientist (Sunshine Coast)
► Aimee McVeigh – Human rights lawyer (Brisbane)
2017 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year
► Professor Perry F Bartlett FAA– Neuroscientist (St Lucia)
► Laurie Cowled – Philanthropist (Noosaville)
► Dr Colin Dillon AM APM– Policeman and whistle-blower (Brisbane)
► Dr Janet Hammill AM – Medical ethnographer (Fortitude Valley)
2017 Queensland Young Australian of the Year
► Elijah Douglas – Youth worker and leader (Doomadgee)
► Sharell O’Brien – Family violence fighter (Townsville)
► Taj Pabari – Inventor and social entrepreneur (Brisbane)
► Ivan Zelich – Mathematician (Brisbane)
2017 Queensland local hero
► Yasmin Khan – Diversity champion (Kuraby)
► Paul and Gabrielle Quilliam – Children’s hospice founders (New Farm)
► Kristy Sparrow – Internet warrior (Alpha)
► John Whitten – Suicide prevention volunteer (Barney Point)
Queensland’s Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on Wednesday, November 23, at Customs House in Brisbane.
The Queensland Award recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on January 25, 2017.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Mr Chris Kirby, said the Queensland finalists are among 131 great Australians being recognised as State and Territory finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards.
"The Australian of the Year Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Australians – people from all walks of life making extraordinary contributions to our society," said Mr Kirby.
“The Queensland Award finalists are remarkable individuals whose efforts are changing lives, changing communities and changing the future.”
Commonwealth Bank has been a major sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for 37 years.
“We are proud to support the Australian of the Year Awards, a national program that showcases the Australian spirit,” said Mr Ian Narev, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank.
“Thank you to all of the State and Territory finalists, who have all made an important contribution to their communities through their achievements.”
