MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2014
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR
2015TASMANIANAUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The 16 finalists for the 2015 Tasmanian Australian of the Year Awards include an equality activist, musician, historian, animal welfare campaigner, asylum seeker advocate and volunteer radio operator.
The 2015 Tasmanian finalists are:
2015 TASMANIANAUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Rodney Croome AM - Equality activist (South Hobart)
Emma Haswell - Animal welfare campaigner (Cygnet)
Dr Andrew Legg - Musician (Snug)
Professor Kate Warner AM - Lawyer and educator (New Norfolk)
2015 TASMANIAN SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Elizabeth Coleman - Prisoner rehabilitation advocate (Mt Stuart)
Dr Graeme Faulkner - Educator (South Hobart)
Patsy Jones - Community advocate (Battery Point)
Professor Henry Reynolds - Historian (Richmond)
2015 TASMANIAN YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Patrick Kirkby - Climate change campaigner (South Hobart)
Mitch McPherson - Suicide prevention advocate (Tranmere)
Adam Mostogl - Business mentor (Queenstown)
Tegan Nadler - Meal exchange champion (Glenorchy)
2015 TASMANIAN LOCAL HERO
Rodney Hudson - Community champion (Burnie)
Mary Kay - Volunteer radio operator (Smithton)
Dr Bridgette Watts - Healthy living champion (South Launceston)
Mary Wood - Asylum seeker advocate (Brighton)
From these finalists, the Tasmanian Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced at a cocktail reception at the Henry Jones Art Hotelin Hobart on Thursday 30 October 2014.
The TasmanianAward recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the National Awards, which will be presentedin Canberra on 25 January 2015.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Mr Jeremy Lasek, said theTasmanianfinalists are among
137 great Australians being recognised as State and Territory finalists in the 2015 Australian of the Year Awards.
"The Award finalists announced today demonstrate the wide variety of talents and passions of the people of Tasmania and we are very proud of the dedication they showin their chosen field that transpires into making Australia a better place," said Mr Lasek.
The Commonwealth Bank is a proud Major Sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards and has supported them for more than 35 years.
“The Awards recognise extraordinary Australians who have made a positive contribution to the community and the 2015 State and Territory finalists are a great example of this. Congratulations to each finalist and thank you for being an inspiration to all Australians,” said Mr Ian Narev, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit australianoftheyear.org.au.
ENDS.
EMBARGOED UNTIL FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2014 to allow media time to contact finalists, arrange interviews, photo and filming opportunities for Friday coverage. Please contact us to be connected with finalists.
Finalist bios attached with this media release
Media contacts: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or Zannie Abbott 0418 274 291 - call for finalist contact details, photos and interviews with Awards spokesperson
BIOGRAPHIES
TASMANIA- FINALISTS - AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Rodney Croome AM - Equality activist (South Hobart)
Walking into a Hobart police station with his partner in 1994, Rodney Croome confessed to a serious crime: homosexuality. Rodney’s actions, reported the world over, were a major catalyst for the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania which Rodney took all the way to the High Court of Australia and the United Nations. A champion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights in Tasmania and throughout Australia, Rodney has spent the past 26 years campaigning for decriminalisation, anti-discrimination protections, and the recognition of same-sex relationships and families, including marriage equality. He has also worked tirelessly to end discrimination and improve educational and health outcomes for LGBTI people, particularly those in rural and remote communities. The National Convenor forAustralia Marriage Equality, Rodney has made many personal sacrifices in the face of hostility and ignorance, challenging homophobia in schools and in the police service, removing stigma and normalising relationships for same-sex attracted couples. Rodney embodies intelligence, courage, tenacity and vision and his life’s work has transformed Australia and improved the lives of thousands of LGBTI people and their families.
Emma Haswell - Animal welfare campaigner (Cygnet)
An animal welfare champion, Emma Haswell established the Brightside Farm Sanctuary in 2006. Today, Emma has created a permanent home for more than 300 farm and companion animals and takes in another 400 rescued animals each year before they are found new homes. Her extensive education program has helped more than 40,000 students better understand animal rights, factory farming and animal welfare. With strong beliefs, passion, drive and boundless energy, Emma has exposed intensive farming operations and campaigned to change animal welfare legislation to enable more humane industry codes of practice. Enlisting the help of friends, Emma captured the lives of pigs subjected to cruel farming techniques, with the subsequent film, An Eternal Treblinka, paving the way for the Tasmanian Government’s restriction of sow stall use. Emma’s lifelong mission is to change people’s attitudes to the plight of millions of factory farmed animals in Australia and to make the world a kinder place for all animals.
Dr Andrew Legg - Musician (Snug)
A classically-trained pianist, composer and educator, Dr Andrew Legg has established an international reputation for his virtuosity with contemporary African American gospel music. Performing with some of the most acclaimed artists and gospel choirs in the United States, Andrew has also played sell-out concerts with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Andrew completed his PhD in 2008 after working and performing with gospel legend Dr Horace Clarence Boyer; he has since toured with multi-Grammy winning African American gospel artists, Myron Butler and Khristian Dently. The choir director and founder of the ARIA award-nominated Southern Gospel Choir which he operates through the University of Tasmania's Conservatorium of Music, Andrew inspires a unique group of musicians from many walks of life. The choir, now a musical institution renowned internationally for its unique sound, boasts 130 voices and a six-piece band. Associate Professor and Director at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music at the University of Tasmania, Andrew encourages and inspires young students, bringingthe community andtheUniversitytogether and is a role model for musicians throughout the nation.
Professor Kate Warner AM - Lawyer and educator (New Norfolk)
One of Tasmania’s first female law graduates at a time when law was just emerging as a popular choice for women, Professor Kate Warner has devoted her career to law reform, particularly in the area of sexual offences. After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1970 from the University of Tasmania and subsequently completing her Masters, Kate embarked on an academic career. As the first female Dean of the Law Faculty and the Head of School in the 1990s, Kate has been a role model to many young women ascending the academic ranks. As well as teaching criminal law, Kate has served on many boards and is the Director of the Law Reform Institute. Determined to address the difficulties faced by victims of rape when reporting and giving evidence, Kate’s advocacy has helped change the definition of rape and consent and reformed evidentiary laws. Kate is also a foundation member and chair of the Alcorso Foundation, one of Tasmania’s most highly-regarded private organisations contributing to the arts, environment and social justice in Tasmania.
TASMANIA- FINALISTS - SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Elizabeth Coleman - Prisoner rehabilitation advocate (Mt Stuart)
In 2006, a chance meeting with a young man straight out of prison convinced Elizabeth Coleman that she could make a difference to men struggling to adjust to freedom after serving their sentences. The former school principal began inviting ex-prisoners into her home, listening to their stories, standing beside them in court and supporting them through their struggles. Elizabeth has since established The Freedom Centre, a small farm in the Huon Valley where ex-prisoners can mend their broken lives. Working closely with many community organisations, Elizabeth’s ‘family style’ model of rehabilitation helps the men to gain skills and confidence and reconnects them with the larger community. While the suicide rate of
ex-prisoners is sky high, Elizabeth’s work is ending the cycle of reoffending and is helping to save lives. With patience, love and a big heart, 88 year old Elizabeth offers the men a new way of life that is helping many get their lives back on track.
Dr Graeme Faulkner - Educator (South Hobart)
Since retiring from a long career as an engineer and educator, 75 year old Dr Graeme Faulkner has been busy building Australia’s brain power. With a PhD in artificial intelligence, Graeme is a passionate believer in the power of engineering to change the world. Graeme has developed websites that offer free tutorials to help students develop skills in robotics; the websites draw millions of users each year from 158 countries around the world. Graeme spends his days in service to the community and voluntarily helps Tasmanian teachers bring robotics to the classroom. He has also helped the University of Tasmania gain grants from Google and the Tasmanian Community Fund which has enabled the purchase of hardware equipment that local schools can borrow to enhance their robotics classes. Graeme presents programs for children, university students and adults to engage with engineering and as a mentor to talented students in LEGO robotics, Graeme has helped some of his charges to win state, national and international awards.
Patsy Jones - Community advocate (Battery Point)
At the centre of environmental politics in Tasmania since lobbying against the flooding of Lake Pedder, Patsy Jones’ remarkable history of volunteering has spanned a wide range of community organisations. The widow of United Tasmania Group founder Dick Jones, Patsy was Tasmania’s first Greens politician to be elected to a local council in 2000. An advocate of healthy living, Patsy successfully secured a ban on smoking in public enclosed areas which has reduced the incidence of respiratory illness. A passionate believer in the power of books, Patsy is former president and current treasurer of the Tasmanian branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. She has mentored teachers, taught children’s fiction at TAFE Tasmania and was instrumental in the state-wide adoption of innovative pre-literacy programs for babies. At times president of Sustainable Living Tasmania, an executive of Bicycle Tasmania and treasurer for Tasmanian National Parks Association, 73 year old Patsy’s philosophy for sustainability has helped to preserve much of Tasmania’s wild beauty for future generations.
Professor Henry Reynolds -Historian (Richmond)
A pioneering historian, 76 year old Henry Reynolds is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on the history of Australia’s Indigenous people. Henry’s seminal book, The Other Side of the Frontier, published in 1981, was the first to see history from an Aboriginal perspective. An outspoken public intellectual, Henry was the first academic historian to champion Aboriginal land rights. Fighting for reconciliation at a time when it was not popular, Henry was not deterred by the backlash and his courage, tenacity and commitment inspired a generation of Aboriginal and white Australian activists to persevere in their campaign for Aboriginal land and other rights. Henry’s oral history project in the 1970s connected him with Eddie Mabo and greatly contributed to the High Court’s recognition of land rights. Henry’s
20-plus books have not only won a string of awards, they have encouraged young historians to embrace Aboriginal history, have enriched the nation’s understanding of our past and have pointed the way to a better future.
TASMANIA- FINALISTS - YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Patrick Kirkby, 27 - Climate change campaigner (South Hobart)
A passionate environmental advocate and educator with expertise in sustainability, earth sciences, marine biology, environmental science and renewable energy, Patrick Kirkby’s volunteer efforts in the climate sector have sent him around the globe. As the coordinator for not-for-profit Journeys for Climate Justice, Patrick has led 25 young people on a 12 day journey along the Kelani River in Sri Lanka, nurturing, training and inspiring them as future environmental leaders through life-changing educational experiences. The project was hailed as Sri Lanka’s most successful and innovative environmental education project. Patrick has organised tree planting days and a plastics-free campaign in Vietnam, hosted environmental leadership workshops and seminars for youth and grass-roots organisations in Bangladesh, helped to build a sustainability coaching service in Canada and has empowered and supported vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Building on his life-changing experiences as a volunteer, Patrick has recently started a PhD with the University of Tasmania which explores climate change solutions across Asia.
Mitch McPherson, 27 - Suicide prevention advocate (Tranmere)
After his younger brother committed suicide, Mitch McPherson decided to turn his family’s personal tragedy into a positive message. Mitch started the Speak Up Stay ChatTY campaign - a play on his brother Ty’s name - that encourages conversations about the taboo subject of suicide. Mitch has created and sold more than 6,000 car bumper stickers, with all proceeds supporting suicide prevention programs with his not-for-profit organisation. In 2014, Mitch and six friends ran the 330 kilometres from Burnie to Hobart in four days, raising more than $40,000 and gaining state-wide recognition. As Mitch’s work gains momentum, his is now partnering with Relationships Australia in Tasmania to spread his message, speaking at schools and suicide prevention forums to break down the stigma that stops young people from sharing their problems. While Mitch wishes his commitment was sparked by different circumstances, he is single-minded in his determination to drive change.
Adam Mostogl, 26 - Business mentor (Queenstown)
In any given week, Adam Mostogl might be helping young entrepreneurs to kick-start their companies, stimulating small businesses to challenge the status quo, challenging communities to understand their potential or teaching hundreds of students to embrace innovation to solve the problems of the future. Focused on empowering the community to create change, Adam established illuminate SDF in 2009 and partners with many organisations, including the University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College, to inspire young people to embrace their creativity, identify business solutions to simple problems and recalibrate their approaches to learning. Based in Queenstown, Adam is heavily involved in the Queenstown Heritage & Arts Festival as well as the local football club. Living by his motto that “if you want something done for the community, you need to get out and do it”, Adam inspires young people to realise their potential, unleash their creativity and seize the opportunities, because, as he says, “the world is ready”.
Tegan Nadler, 30 - Meal exchange champion (Glenorchy)
Suffering from postnatal depression after the birth of her fourth child, Tegan Nadler appreciates the value of a healthy, home-cooked meal. Co-founder of the Family Meal Exchange Facebook page to provide food for those doing it tough, Tegan connects families unable to cook with those who can donate a meal. More than 1,000 people have since committed to making a meal for a family under pressure and Tegan has helped countless Tasmanian families - from those with premature babies or sick children to those where both parents are suffering from illness or accident. Despite her own busy family life, Tegan volunteers her own time and resources to drive the movement forward, rallying the troops, shuttling meals from one suburb to another and inspiring people to lend a hand. Tegan’s efforts are providing not only practical assistance, but community connections. Tegan is determined to normalise the daily struggles felt by many families and by harnessing the power of social media, gives the gift of caring and sharing.
TASMANIA- FINALISTS - AUSTRALIA'S LOCAL HERO
Rodney Hudson - Community champion (Burnie)
A quiet achiever, Rodney Hudson has made a lifetime commitment to community service. A volunteer member of St John Ambulance since 1972 and a paid ambulance officer from 1975 to 2008, Rodney is an expert in pre-hospital care. Respected for his vast knowledge, experience and long-term contribution, Rodney trains, mentors and inspires young members of St John Ambulance. When Rodney speaks, people listen. Rodney’s contribution to innovative training models and his work as a trainer and assessor has built capacity and resilience throughout communities from Burnie to Devonport. An unpaid first aider and life member of the Tasmanian Endurance Riders Club for 20 years, Rodney also donates his time to the Cancer Council of Tasmania and for three years has taken patients from Burnie to Launceston for cancer treatment on a weekly basis. Rodney’s positive outlook, happy disposition and empathetic and clinical understanding of health conditions help people when they are at their most vulnerable.