MEDIA RELEASE
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2018
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR
2019 NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
A robotics researcher, a health activist, an inventor, a women’s advocate, an investigative reporter, a brain cancer awareness advocate, a retired teacher and athletes who prove disability and age are no barrier to success are among nominees for the 2019 NSW Australian of the Year Awards.
The nominees announced today are in the running to be named NSW Australian of the Year, NSW Senior Australian of the Year, NSW Young Australian of the Year and NSW Local Hero.
The 2019 NSW Award nominees are:
2019 NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Kurt Fearnley AO – Athlete and advocate (Newcastle)
Mark Hughes – Brain cancer awareness advocate (Newcastle)
Joanne McCarthy – Investigative journalist (Bateau Bay)
Professor Salah Sukkarieh – Robotics researcher (Kogarah)
2019 NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Barbara Baikie – Advocate for women (Wallaroo)
Heather Lee OAM – Athlete (Richmond)
Professor Gordon Parker AO – Psychiatrist and creative writer (Northwood)
2019 NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Angelina Arora – Scientist, inventor and philanthropist (Glen Alpine)
Gidon Goodman – Health activist (Dover Heights)
Nicole Seebacher – Cancer researcher (Pennant Hills)
Jarrod Wheatley – Social entrepreneur (Surry Hills)
2019 NSW LOCAL HERO
John Dyball – Retired teacher (Vincentia)
Mary Jo McVeigh – Child-protection advocate (Concord)
Sophie Smith – Fundraiser and founder of Running for Premature Babies Foundation (Coogee)
George Tonna – Founder of NSW Physical Disability Rugby League Association (Ingleburn)
*see bios on following pages
The NSW Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on the evening of Monday 12 November 2018 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.
The NSW Award recipients will join other State and Territory recipients from around Australia in the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2019.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Ms Karlie Brand, said the NSW nominees are among more than 120 people being recognised in all States and Territories as part of the 2019 Australian of the Year Awards.
“The NSW nominees are an extraordinary group of people whose achievements and contributions remind us we can all achieve more than we think and make a difference,” said Ms Brand.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit australianoftheyear.org.au
ENDS.
Nominee bios attached with this media release or can be viewed from australianoftheyear.org.au
Nominee photos can be downloaded from australianoftheyear.org.au
Media contact: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au
