In case you missed it on Sunday, role model, youth advocate and Australian Rules footballer Adam Goodes was named 2014 Australian of the Year 2014.
Adam Goodes
He was honoured for his leadership and advocacy in the fight against racism both on the sporting field and within society - a stance which has won him the admiration and respect of people around Australia.
An Andyamathanha man, Adam is a champion Australian Rules football player with the Sydney Swans. Adam holds an elite place in AFL history, winning two Brownlow Medals and two premierships. The 34-year-old footballer is a four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, and has represented Australia in the International Rules Series.
Adam is proud of his Indigenous heritage and is actively involved with several Indigenous sport and community programs. He has spent time working with troubled youth, including those in youth detention centres. Together with his cousin and former teammate Michael O’Loughlin, Adam established the Go Foundation which empowers the next generation of Indigenous role models in all walks of life. Adam co-chairs the foundation, focused on promoting education, employment and healthy lifestyles.
The other three major awards were won by:
- former Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Fred Chaney AO was named Senior Australian of the Year for his commitment to reconciliation
- NSW Paralympic champion Jacqueline Freney was awarded Young Australian of the Year, and
- Australia's Local Herois children's charity founder Tim Conolan of Victoria.
Senior Australian of the Year
Fred Chaney’s decades of hard work in support of often marginalised people has never faltered. As founding co-chair of Reconciliation Australia and an early advocate for Aboriginal voting rights in 1961 and for the 1967 referendum, Fred’s contribution has included helping establish the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia to his national role as Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
For many years, Fred was Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal and, more recently, is Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia and chaired the Board of Central Desert Native Title services. He was instrumental in establishing the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, which supports Indigenous young people to reach their potential.
Now 72-years-old, Fred’s long history of public service is rooted in his fierce commitment to social justice and a belief in the inherent equality of people. In all his leadership roles, Fred inspires others to work collaboratively, respectfully and ambitiously to overcome the barriers that inhibit people’s full economic and social participation in Australian society.
Young Australian of the Year
Jacqueline Freney’s achievements, tenacity and commitment are proof that we are all capable of greatness.
Being born with cerebral palsy has not stopped Jacqueline Freney from achieving great success in the sporting arena. Following in the footsteps of her swimming family, Jacqueline set herself the goal to become a competitive swimmer. In 2012, Jacqueline won a remarkable eight gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, becoming Australia’s most successful Paralympian at a single Games. Two of Jacqueline’s performances were under world record time. She won a gold medal for every event in which she competed and her gold medal haul was greater than any other competitor from any country. Her success earned her the crown of Australia’s 2012 Paralympian of the Year.
Jacqueline’s indomitable spirit is not confined to the swimming pool. She is actively involved in the wider community, working with Swimming Australia as a motivational speaker to help other people with disabilities reach their potential. Jacqueline is an inspirational role model and positive proof that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Local Hero
Tim Conolan of Melbourne established the charity TLC for kids to make a difference to children in hospital and undergoing medical treatment. TLC for kids was started in 1998 by Tim and the charity has now assisted more than four million sick children and their families.
After a fearless entry into the world of entrepreneurship at age 20, Tim was asked to attend a cancer support group camp as a motivational speaker. It was there that he met some seriously ill children who were to change the course of his life. Wanting to make a difference, Tim established TLC for kids with his long-term partner, Ana. With passion and an infectious positivity, Tim has spearheaded the charity’s remarkable growth.
Tim was instrumental in developing the TLC’s national Distraction Box program which benefits more than half a million children every year in 400 Australian hospitals. Distraction Boxes include therapeutic toys and items used by healthcare professionals to guide children through frightening and painful procedures, with preliminary research suggesting the toys and items reduce procedure time and hospital waiting lists.
Tim’s mission is to ensure every child in every hospital in Australia has the emotional and practical support they need.
Adam Gilchrist's comments
The Chair of the National Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist, paid tribute to all the finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards 2014 and congratulated the recipients.
"The finalists are an extraordinary group of Australians who represent their States and Territory with distinction and who show us all what is possible in our country," said Adam.
"In Adam, Fred, Jacqueline and Tim we have fellow Australians who live their values every day, who have achieved great success and also use their success to help others and make a difference.
"They inspire us to be better Australians and their contributions make Australia a better place to live."
The Australian of the Year Award recipients were selected from more than 3,000 nominations submitted by the public.
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