Dylan Alcott is named the 2022 Australian of the Year for his inspiring work with disabled Aussies.
The wheelchair tennis star and commentator, 31, gave an emotional acceptance speech sharing how he once ‘hated’ himself for being different.
He also said that front line workers battling the Covid-19 pandemic deserve the award more than ‘a guy who hits tennis balls for a living and likes talking’.
Dylan Alcott is named the 2022 Australian of the Year for his inspiring work with disabled Aussies
Eight finalists, one each from Australia’s states and territories, were nominated for the role, ranging from sports stars, scientists and community activists.
Since its induction in 1960, the award conferred by the National Australia Day Council aims to honour exceptional Australians who reflect the nation’s unique identity and values.
Over the decades, the prestigious award has offered insights into Australia’s ever-changing multicultural society and the special status of First Nations Peoples.
Conferred by the National Australia Day Council – a not-for-profit Australian Government–owned social enterprise – part of the reason for the award is to showcase Australian role models to inspire others living Down Under to become fully-fledged citizens.
A passionate Scott Morrison explained during the lavish ceremony what the Australian Of the Year award means to him.
‘For me, this ceremony is about more than an award on a mantelpiece, as I’m sure it is for anyone here. It’s a touchstone of what this country is about. What makes us tick, why we keep going as we do,’ the Prime Minister said.
‘You see the strength of Australia, the wonder of Australia – is ultimately the Australian people.
‘A generous, open-hearted, practical people who look out for each other, care for each other, care for their community and their country and simply get on with it. This is what these finalists here embody.’
AUSTRALIA’S LOCAL HERO – Shanna Whan
AUSTRALIA’S LOCAL HERO – Shanna Whan
Australia’s Local Hero was awarded to Shanna Whan who runs the initiative Sober in the Bush, helping farmers and rural Aussies fight alcoholism.
After facing her own struggles she now urges rural Aussies to ‘choose bush sunrises over handovers.’
‘Let’s be honest about the fact that Australia’s got a bit of a drinking problem. And I reckon we need to tackle this conversation front-on. I dream of the day that everyone in the bush knows that it’s OK to say ‘no’ to a beer,’ Ms Whan explained.
‘I’ve walked the tightrope of this conversation now for seven years whilst speaking the truth of overcoming my own alcoholism, and establishing Sober in the Country.
‘I do it because someone had to go first. I do it because somebody sharing their truth with me saved my life. And I do it because every single one of you knows my story is not unique.’
She said you can never question the God-given right of someone enjoying a few beers in the bush ‘but as a mate, you can respect someone’s choice to say, ‘No, thank you,’ or ‘Not today.’
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR – Dr Daniel Nour
The Young Australian of the Year award was handed out to Dr Daniel Nour for his inspiring work offering medical services to Australia’s most vulnerable.
His not-for-profit service Street Side Medics is dedicated to ensuring people experiencing homelessness have direct access to free medical care.
‘Unfortunately, many of these Australians face significant barriers which limits their ability to access the healthcare service that we are all so lucky to have available to us. As a result of this, they suffer in silence.
‘There are 116,000 and growing number of those experiencing homelessness and they deserve better.
‘Many die of conditions which could be treated and avoid interventions which could have improved quality of life.’
He is striving to improve this issue heading out on the streets to night after night to help others.
SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR – Val Dempsey (ACT)
After four decades of service Val Dempsey (ACT) was honoured as Senior Australian of the Year.
She has dedicated thousands of hours of her life to the St Johns Ambulance in ACT becoming one of the territories longest-serving volunteers.
‘My family was forever changed by a car accident more than three decades ago where people came to help but didn’t know what to do and a very precious life was lost,’ Ms Dempsey said.
‘As a nation, we can rethink our approach to those critical minutes between life and death at a road accident. To make members of our community part of the solution.
‘So from this humble senior Australian, nurse, wife, mother, granny, great grandma, surviving patient and brand proud St John Ambulance volunteer, there is no greater gift to our nation and our humanity than saving lives.’
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