Australian of the Year

[ithatheekret]

Huzzah . Cheers to the best day of the global year .

 

[Prospector]

well wayne - no way am I gonna win an argument against the combined weight of Julia and yourself.
What chance has an Aussie got against a Canack and a Kiwi on this subject, lol

Hey 2020, don't dismiss their thoughts on the basis of where Julia and Wayne were born. I am betting that MOST Australians would agree with them!

The Australian of the Year to me, should be someone who inspires us to be better people.

OK, so he has done some concerts that raised money. That hardly qualifies him as Australian of the Year. I thought we had started to divert from the mentality of sheilas and mates, swagmen and billabongs. Guess not. I have thought that the 'Volunteer' should be made Australian of the Year - guess I have a problem with people who are awarded such honours when they are really just doing their 'job'. Which is why I dislike the honours lists and so on, where public servants and the like get awards for something they are paid to do, while people in the private sector, just, well, work! That wouldn't include people who have risked their lives to do an extraordinary deed - so someone in the Fire/Police/Ambulance services could deserve such honours.

Weary Dunlop - yes. That is our benchmark! But there are others like him, (well, not quite as awesome as Weary but, well, he is up there with the Gods!) - those people who do amazing things, like care for people who dont have a voice -surely in the mental health area, disability services etc etc - someone who could well raise us all to a higher level.

I did think the producer of 'Choir of Hard Knocks' deserved his recognition.
So I did groan when I heard who won it this year.

 

[moneymajix]

Re: Australian of the Year - the list

Seems sporting "greats" out of favour over the last few years.

I notice Alan Bond got the gong in 1978. A role model!


Australian of the Year


Since 1960 our nation has celebrated the achievement and contribution of eminent citizens through the Australian of the Year Awards. The awards profile leading Australians who are role models for us all.


2008 Lee Kernaghan OAM

2007 Professor Tim Flannery

2006 Professor Ian Frazer

2005 Fiona Wood AM (b.1958)

2004 Steve Waugh (b. 1965)

2003 Professor Fiona Stanley AC (b. 1946)

2002 Patrick Rafter (b. 1972)

2001 Lt General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (b. 1947)

2000 Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE FAA FRS (b. 1931)

1999 Mark Taylor (b. 1963 )

1998 Cathy Freeman (b. 1973 )

1997 Professor Peter Doherty (b. 1940 )

1996 Doctor John Yu AM (b. 1934)

1995 Arthur Boyd AC OBE (b. 1920 )

1994 Ian Kiernan OAM (b. 1940 )

1993 ** No award given

1992 Mandawuy Yunupingu (b. 1956 )

1991 Archbishop Peter Hollingworth AO OBE (b. 1935 )

1990 Fred Hollows AC (1929 - 1993)

1989 Allan Border AO (b. 1955 )

1988 Kay Cottee AO (b. 1954 )

1987 John Farnham (b. 1949)

1986 Dick Smith (b. 1944 )

1985 Paul Hogan AM (b. 1939 )

1984 Lois O'Donoghue CBE AM (b. 1932 )

1983 Robert de Castella MBE (b. 1957 )

1982 Sir Edward Williams KCMG KBE (1921 - 1999)

1981 Sir John Crawford AC CBE (b. 1910 )

1980 Manning Clark AC (1915 - 1991)

1979 * Senator Neville Bonnor AO

1979 * Harry Butler CBE (b. 1930)

1978 * Alan Bond

1978 * Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM (b. 1948)

1977 * Sir Murray Tyrall KCVO CBE

1977 * Dame Raigh Roe DBE (b. 1923 )

1976 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop AC CMG OBE (1907 - 1993)

1975 * Sir John Cornforth AC CBE (b. 1917 )

1975 * Major General Alan Stretton AO CBE

1974 Sir Bernard Heinze AC (1894 - 1982)

1973 Patrick White (1912 - 1990)

1972 Shane Gould MBE (b. 1956)

1971 Evonne Goolagong Cawley AO MBE (b. 1951)

1970 His Eminence Cardinal Sir Norman Gilroy KBE (1896 -1977)

1969 The Rt Hon Richard Gardiner Casey Baron of Berwick, Victoria and of the City of Westminister KG GCMG CH (1890 - 1976)

1968 Lionel Rose MBE (b. 1948 )

1967 The Seekers

1966 Sir Jack Brabham OBE (b. 1926 )

1965 Sir Robert Helpmann CBE (1909 - 1986)

1964 Dawn Fraser MBE (b. 1937 )

1963 Sir John Eccles AC (1903 - 1997)

1962 Alexander 'Jock' Sturrock MBE (b. 1915 )

1961 Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE (b. 1926 )

1960 Sir MacFarlane Burnet OM AK KBE (1899 - 1985)


* Between 1975 and 1979 the Canberra Australia Day Council also recognised an Australian of the Year.

** The award dating system changed - no award made in this year.


http://www.australianoftheyear.gov.au/pages/page22.asp

 

[bunyip]

Australian of the Year is Lee Kernaghan (apologies if the spelling is incorrect).

What does everything think of this choice?

I was taken aback that a country music warbler could be awarded this honour.
To be fair, although I didn't know this, apparently he has also done some charity work.

He's probably a very nice bloke, but I would have thought he hardly qualified for Australian of the Year.

My first reaction was pretty much the same as Julia's when I first heard that Lee had won the award.....the bloke has sung a few songs - what so special about that?
But then I recalled his considerable efforts in fund raising for various worthy causes, most notably his exceptional contribution to drought-stricken farmers and graziers. In this area alone, Lee has raised millions of dollars.

Are there others more worthy of the award? Possibly - depending on how you see it.

The people who are up near the top of my 'most admired' list are the unpaid volunteers who risk like and limb to save lives and/or property.
Our surf lifesavers who are on our beaches every summer, risking their lives and not getting paid for their time and effort.
Our volunteer fire-fighters - how deeply committed to helping other people would you have to be to voluntarily do a job like that?
Our volunteers coast guards......not for love nor money would you talk me into going out in a boat in wild weather to rescue someone in trouble on the high seas, but the coastguard folks do it gladly.

I think someone who is heavily involved in these organisations, in both a hands on capacity and an organisational capacity, should be in contention for Australian of the Year honours.

Bunyip

 

[Prospector]

The people who are up near the top of my 'most admired' list are the unpaid volunteers who risk like and limb to save lives and/or property.
Our surf lifesavers who are on our beaches every summer, risking their lives and not getting paid for their time and effort.
Our volunteer fire-fighters - how deeply committed to helping other people would you have to be to voluntarily do a job like that?
Our volunteers coast guards......not for love nor money would you talk me into going out in a boat in wild weather to rescue someone in trouble on the high seas, but the coastguard folks do it gladly.

Yup, which is why I suggested 'The Volunteer' a couple of posts earlier

 

[2020hindsight]

1. Hey 2020, don't dismiss their thoughts on the basis of where Julia and Wayne were born. I am betting that MOST Australians would agree with them!

2. The Australian of the Year to me, should be someone who inspires us to be better people. OK, so he has done some concerts that raised money. That hardly qualifies him as Australian of the Year.

3. I thought we had started to divert from the mentality of sheilas and mates, swagmen and billabongs. Guess not.

4. I have thought that the 'Volunteer' should be made Australian of the Year - guess I have a problem with people who are awarded such honours when they are really just doing their 'job'. Which is why I dislike the honours lists and so on, where public servants and the like get awards for something they are paid to do, while people in the private sector, just, well, work! That wouldn't include people who have risked their lives to do an extraordinary deed - so someone in the Fire/Police/Ambulance services could deserve such honours.

5. Weary Dunlop - yes. That is our benchmark! But there are others like him, (well, not quite as awesome as Weary but, well, he is up there with the Gods!) - those people who do amazing things, like care for people who don’t have a voice -surely in the mental health area, disability services etc etc - someone who could well raise us all to a higher level.

6. I did think the producer of 'Choir of Hard Knocks' deserved his recognition.
So I did groan when I heard who won it this year.

1. Prospector, (apart from the fact that I was having a dig lol - and I'm sure Wayne and Julia have judgement on par with and/or equal to mine anyway, - and equal right to say so - and Julia would probably call herself an Australasian at least these days, .....

and we sure need Wayne around here on trading stuff - give him honourary Australian status tomorrowXXX oops today !! you reckon lol ? ) - ...

heck, I guess you could even argue that bit of Robbie Burns philosophy ..

https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=251189&highlight=Louse#post251189

O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us

2. mmm - let's see if he has done more than we realise. I'm not aware of the level of his generosity (often these things are done without many knowing) , but obviously someone (or two) has/have put in a good word for him.

3. lol - unkind... (you can't blame Kernaghan for the fact that country songs can be pretty basic)
sad day when mateship is a thing of the past
Some men (alias blokes) call women (alias sheiXX - no can't say it lol) "mate" - and vikee verka - you extroverted types you!. Personally I reserve that for my mate/wife
and what's wrong with billabongs pray tell !
When people see billabongs these day they cross 'emselves. : 2 twocents

4. Reading your post just made - I take it you are proposing something like "the unknown volunteer" much like the unknown soldier? Interesting concept. A mate at work does heaps for SES. Gee I admire him. (and the firies etc) - every weekend there's a storm, he's out in the rain getting pneumonia helping people put tarps over rooves etc. But the govt would give the award to the chief SES person - and he ain''t the one doing the work at the coalface - furthermore the senior blokes are paid.

Don’t know the facts, but sounds like Lee has been volunteering heaps as well. (watch this space I spose).

5. Weary - what a mountain. Helping doctors under the Colombo Plan. Love to know what he'd have thought of the Haneef thingo
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=176702&highlight=weary#post176702
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=211992&highlight=kwai#post211992
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=83930&highlight=kwai#post83930


6. Agreed.
This will come out wrong I'm sure. The other day a dog turned up at work.
Beautiful temperament. Shepherd. bitch. mange over 2/3 of its back, skinny, hungry, licked my hand. I fetched some "stale" food from the sandwich bar down the road from work, and she quaffed a couple of rissoles.

Couldn't help thinking .."Life's cruel, you deserve a good home - but then again - so do a lot of people"

 

[Sean K]

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on the boy from the bush (or Texas) but when you start comparing yourself to legends, it's time to take a humble pill.

"Our musicians and our songwriters are the modern day storytellers of Australia. I guess in a way the poets of the 1880s, 1890s — (Henry) Lawson, (Banjo) Paterson — they did it for their generation and it's up to us to tell the story of Australia today."

Or, maybe he is that good.......

I'm trying to think of a chorus from one of his songs............

And, the mil he suckered in from 'pass the hat' was what % of the concert take? Oh, none, he spent that on hats.

Tall poppy syndrome? Probably, sorry, I'll go and learn some more about why he's the top Aussie...

 

[bunyip]

Yes, you do raise your eyebrows sometimes when people get awards - you really have to wonder what those who voted for them were thinking.
The biggest joke was when the foul-mouthed, hard-drinking, womanising Bob bloody Hawke won the 'Father of The Year' award...great role model he was as a father!!!

 

[2020hindsight]

lol - bunyip
yep good point - sober father and faithful husband were not his strong points

Just learnt (listening to ABC) that India also has its Republic day today (26 Jan)
Glenn McGrath recognised for his work in fighting cancer - and he in turn recognising the help from Gillie.

PS Maybe Gillie should get AM for walking?

But what a coincidence - Aus playing India - on BOTH our national days

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/26/2147070.htm

Honour for McGraths

Cricketer Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane were both made Members in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM).

Glenn McGrath was honoured for his services to cricket while both he and Jane McGrath were also recognised for their work on fund-raising for breast cancer research.

 

[2020hindsight]

Speaking of Steve Irwin and his (and his family's) work with Wildlife Warriors,

Maybe these New Yorkers deserve an honourable mention ..

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/26/2147158.htm

New York socialites join drive to save Tasmanian Devil
Posted 1 hour 12 minutes ago

Efforts to save the Tasmanian Devil from the deadly facial tumour disease continue to gain momentum in Australia and overseas.

In New York, 300 philanthropists and celebrities are joining in efforts to save the Tasmanian Devil.

A sold out dinner of Wildlife Warriors Worldwide has declared that saving the Tasmanian Devil from the facial tumour disease will now be one of its official causes.

The dinner honoured Australia's original wildlife warrior, the late Steve Irwin.

A Tasmanian G'day USA delegation at the dinner enticed the US wildlife personality Jack Hanna to Tasmania, where he'll film episodes of his TV show.

Meanwhile, another 100 Devils have been brought to Hobart to bolster the Devil 'insurance population'.

A co-ordinator with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Project, Dydi Mann, says the insurance population strategy is an essential part of the survival plan.

...", we're really only confident that the west and the north-west of Tasmania is still disease free, so it really is a race against time."

 

[2020hindsight]

I agree Wayne.

My father has been awarded an Australia Day medal, but it has taken him over 50 years of solid community service to be recognised and it was only after being put up after his collegues insistance that it eventuated. However, my father is not a celebrity and is not well known by the general community and the effort and strain he has put on on our family to ensure the broader Victorian community is safe when they sleep. The country needs a pinup boy/girl but unfortunately the real hearoes - as always- continue on being unnoticed.

Sorry I've come home after a few. I shouldn't be talking about this until Australia Day

sam
good for your dad that he was recognised finally.

:topic
lol - speaking of getting home late - we have kids and cousins here at the moment - they got home late last night / early this morning after going to Big Day Out.

and raving about the likes of "Rage Against the Machine"
songs like "F*** you I won't do what you tell me " etc
Apparently the band has come together after some time dispersed - what a shame lol.

possible reference to Corey Delaney .

I've said it a few times, but I heard a comedian once - making the point that the older generation will gather round the piano at the retirement home and sing songs like "Roll out the Barrel", and "I belong to Glascow" ....

and the genY's will gather round the piano and sing, - imagine the frail old voices - ""F*** you I won't do what you tell me "

This youtube from a few days ago in Sydney :- (I think I prefer Kernaghan lol)

Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name Sydney 08

 

[2020hindsight]

I was trying to recall if Terri Irwin ever got (or indeed could get) similar recognition .. - yep, "Honorary" ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri_Irwin

In 2006, Terri Irwin was made an honorary Member of the Order of Australia for services to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry.[2] [3] [4] ("Honorary" membership in the Order of Australia is a version of the award given to non-citizens of Australia.[5])

Such a great lady !

In her first statement since her husband's death on September 4, 2006, Terri announced that the Australian memorial service on September 20, 2006, at Australia Zoo in Queensland, would be open to the public, and that people who wish to attend should make a donation to Irwin's Wildlife Warriors fund. The service was held at the "Crocoseum," a 5,500 seat open-air amphitheater, which Steve built at the zoo and of which he was so proud. When it was suggested that a larger facility may be more appropriate, Terri stated that she couldn't see how a memorial service would work in any other place other than the Crocoseum. She also thanked well-wishers for their "overwhelming outpouring of love", support and prayers for her family".

Terri herself was too upset to speak at the ceremony. She remained with her young son Bob during the proceedings, but her daughter Bindi spoke about her love for her dad, to which she received a standing ovation.

Australian TV network Channel 9 screened an interview between Terri and local presenter Ray Martin, on Wednesday 27 September, at 8:30pm on the station. During the interview, she said "And I'll make Australia Zoo bigger. I'll make it bigger... because I promised."

Barbara Walters announced on The View that she would be holding an exclusive interview with Terri, which aired September 27 in the US.

And indeed she awarded David Attenborough an award 7 weeks or so after Steve's accident - hard to know who got the bigger ovation, Terri or Sir David ..... (or should that - even if not official - be Dame Terri or Sir David ?)

On October 31, 2006 she was invited to the Royal Albert Hall to award a Special Recognition Award to Sir David Attenborough at the British National Television Awards.[8] When she came on stage, the entire audience gave her a standing ovation out of recognition for her bravery in light of her husband's death.

She fought back tears in appreciation of the British people, while the camera cut to Neighbours star Alan Fletcher, who was shown to be fighting back tears also. She cited Attenborough as a great inspiration for her late husband, saying "If there's one person who directly inspired my husband, it's the person being honoured tonight." and going on to say "[Steve's] real, true love was conservation- and the influence of tonight's recipient in preserving the natural world has been immense."[8]

Attenborough reciprocated by praising her husband for introducing many to the natural world, saying "He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was; he was a born communicator."[9]

On 3 January 2007, the only video footage showing the events that led to Irwin's death was handed over to Terri, who said that the video would never become public, and noted her family has not seen the video either. In an 11 January 2007 interview with Access Hollywood, Terri said that "all footage has been destroyed."

PS - just looking at that list posted by moneymajix, Shame they can't give the award for 1993 to Steve

1998 Cathy Freeman (b. 1973 )
1997 Professor Peter Doherty (b. 1940 )
1996 Doctor John Yu AM (b. 1934)
1995 Arthur Boyd AC OBE (b. 1920 )
1994 Ian Kiernan OAM (b. 1940 )

1993 ** No award given

1992 Mandawuy Yunupingu (b. 1956 )
1991 Archbishop Peter Hollingworth AO OBE (b. 1935 )
1990 Fred Hollows AC (1929 - 1993)

 

[tigerboi]

the australian of the year lee kernaghan??? i cant cop him due to the fact he

sings with a yank accent,what a joke.......the guy who did the choir of hard

knocks he would have been a worthy winner,tough gig that one but he put

it all together very well...his name????jonathon ...... i think.....tb

 

[tigerboi]

the australian of the year lee kernaghan??? i cant cop him due to the fact he

sings with a yank accent,what a joke.......the guy who did the choir of hard

knocks he would have been a worthy winner,tough gig that one but he put

it all together very well...his name????jonathon ...... i think.....tb

jonathon welch,good hearted bloke,the real 2008 australian of the year,maybe

he will get a jersey in 2009....tb

 

[bunyip]

the australian of the year lee kernaghan??? i cant cop him due to the fact he

sings with a yank accent,what a joke.......

I agree.....it gets up my nose too when Aussie country music stars try to emulate American accents in their singing. Lee Kernaghan isn't the only one doing it either.....Adam Harvey and Gina Jeffries are two more who spring to mind, and there are many others.
They should be proud of being Australian, and that pride should be reflected by singing in an Australian accent.
No false Yank accent for Slim Dusty though. Slim was proud to be an Aussie and he sang like a real Australian.

 

[Prospector]

Yes 20/20, an honour like the Tomb of the Unknown warrior is exactly what I was thinking of.

The Senior Australian of the Year has done amazing work in disadvantaged countries, which, as I posted in that thread, why should the fact that he is 'senior' preclude him from being given the main prize. Surely he would have been more worthy than a CW singer......still groaning.......I cant stand them.....

Slim Dusty - possibly, at least he was the real thing. And yes, Jonathon Welch - he too is someone who inspires everyone and gives people hope and something to live for.

No way for Steve Irwin - well, he is gone now so I wont say what I thought of him.

 

[2020hindsight]

Maybe fair to say he's admired over almost all the area of Australia -
the big area in the middle that excludes the coastal cities

 

[Prospector]

Maybe fair to say he's admired over almost all the area of Australia -
the big area in the middle that excludes the coastal cities

and those urbanised areas constitute 85% of the population!

 

[Nyden]

How did this yokel win it?

I haven't heart of any charitable contributions of his?
Perhaps he does a lot behind the scenes.

 

[2020hindsight]

and those urbanised areas constitute 85% of the population!

yep!
and many of em could care less about the plight of the bushies
could be what the judges want to highlight maybe?