6/11/08- Liz Ellis Nominated for Australian of The Year
Liz Ellis Announced as Finalist in New South Wales Australian of the Year Award
New South Wales finalists for Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero awards were announced today. Liz Ellis was nominated for her achievements alongside a pioneer business woman, an indigenous literacy campaigner, a nurse and a theatre legend.
There are four finalists in each award category and recipients will be announced at the NSW Australian of the Year Awards event on Thursday 27 November 2008 in Sydney. The New South Wales recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards. The national awards will be announced on 25 January 2009.
Ms Tam Johnston, Director of the Australian of the Year Awards, said the finalists were selected from more than 3,300 nominations received from across the nation.
"This year, the New South Wales finalists represent many different parts of the community," said Ms Johnston.
"They include quiet contributors, household names and well known achievers but all are either giving back or working to make a difference to others in some way."
The NSW finalists are:
NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Liz Ellis- Netball great
Professor Simon Chapman - Anti-tobacco campaigner (Sydney University)
Layne Beachley- Surfing legend
Glenn McGrath AM - Cricketer and fundraiser (Sutherland Shire)
NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
John Bell AM - Actor and director
June Dally-Watkins OAM - Businesswoman
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC - Fistula surgery pioneer (Wahroonga)
Lorraine Peeters - Stolen Generation supporter (Terranora)
NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Craig Ashby (Gamilaroi) - Indigenous literacy campaigner (Summer Hill)
Daniel Clarke - Entrepreneur and mentor (Blakehurst)
Kurt Fearnley OAM - Paraylmpian (Bar Beach)
Mimi Zou - Community services volunteer (Campsie)
NSW LOCAL HERO
Susan Elder - Nurse and inventor (Westleigh)
John Harper - Mental health advocate (Stockinbingal)
Captain Paul Moulds - Homeless youth supporter (Bondi Junction)
Dr Jamal Rifi - Cultural leader (Belmore)
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Commonwealth Bank's involvement with the Australian of the Year Awards.
For more information of the Australian of the Year Awards visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au
Ends.
Finalist bios attached with this media release or downloadable from www.australianoftheyear.org.au
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Nicole Browne, Media Opps 02 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au