Qld Australian of the Year winners to be announced tonight
Queensland Origin legend Johnathan Thurston and local Gold Coaster Grant James Pforr are among 16 nominees who will tonight learn if they’ve taken out the top gongs at the Queensland Australian of the year awards ceremony.
The Queensland Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced at the Old Museum Building in Brisbane tonight.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Ms Jenny Barbour, said the Queensland nominees are among 130 great Australians being recognised at the state level in the Australian of the Year Awards.
“The Australian of the Year Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Australians – people making extraordinary contributions to our society,” said Ms Barbour.
“The Queensland Award nominees are all involved in causes and issues close to their hearts, are selfless in their actions and contributions to assist others or have taken action when help was needed most. Their outlook and efforts have inspired those around them and make them Australians to be proud of.”
The Queensland Award recipients will go on to join a cohort of 32 State and Territory recipients from around Australia in the national Awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2018.
The 2018 Queensland Award nominees are:
2018 QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Rochelle Courtenay – Homeless women’s advocate (Sandgate)
Dr Glenn Gardener – Pioneering maternal fetal surgeon (Brisbane)
Johnathan Thurston – NRL player and Indigenous mentor (Townsville)
Paul White – Sports administrator (Bardon)
PHOTOS: Supplied by Australian of the Year Awards | 2018 QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR from L to R – Paul White , Dr Glenn Gardener, Johnathan Thurston, Rochelle Courtenay.
2018 QUEENSLAND SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Aunty Faye Carr – Aboriginal elder (Ipswich)
Carmel Crouch – Disability advocate (Sunshine Coast)
Dr Dimity Dornan AO – Hearing health specialist and bionics advocate (Brisbane)
Dr Barry Kirby – Humanitarian doctor (Carool)
PHOTOS: Supplied by Australian of the Year Awards | 2018 QUEENSLAND SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR from L to R – Aunty Faye Carr, Carmel Crouch, Dr Dimity Dornan AO, Dr Barry Kirby.
2018 QUEENSLAND YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Courtney Crack – All abilities dance teacher (Corinda)
Olivia Hargroder – Advocate for people with Down Syndrome (Brisbane)
Tamara Richardson – Youth ambassador (Rockhampton)
Phillip Thompson – Veterans’ champion (Townsville)
PHOTOS: Supplied by Australian of the Year Awards | 2018 QUEENSLAND YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR from L to R – Olivia Hargroder, Courtney Crack, Tamara Richardson, Phillip Thompson.
2018 QUEENSLAND LOCAL HERO
Aguek Nyok – Community superman (Coopers Plains)
Grant James Pforr – Community champion (Gold Coast)
Philippa ‘Pip’ Russell – Children’s entertainer and innovator (Brisbane)
Luke Terry – Social entrepreneur (Toowoomba)
PHOTOS: Supplied by Australian of the Year Awards | 2018 QUEENSLAND LOCAL HERO from L to R – Grant James Pforr, Philippa ‘Pip’ Russell, Aguek Nyok , Luke Terry.
