Aussies from all walks of life are honoured in the annual Australian of the Year awards.
Last year our state's inspirational Australians of the Year for 2020 were: Senior Australian of the Year Sylvia McMillan; Young Australian of the Year Zibeon Fielding; Australia's Local Hero Emmah Evans; and Australian of the Year (and eventual national winner) Dr James Muecke.
Meet Zibeon Fielding, South Australia's Young Australian of the Year.
He is dedicated to raising vital funds to help close the gap in Indigenous health. In 2016, he was selected for the Indigenous Marathon Project, training and competing in the New York, Boston and Tokyo Marathons.
But last year he topped that.
Zibeon cycled 700 kilometres across the rough corrugated roads and extreme heat of the Australian outback, to bring about awareness for improvement of Aboriginal health, and raise $40,000 for a new gym in his community. As a health worker, he has conducted health checks on children, educated communities about healthy living and eating, and run bike workshops along the way.
Sylvia McMillan was last year recognised as the state's Senior Australian of the Year.
She has dedicated her life to being of service to her community. The 90-year-old has been a force of good to everyone around her - and shows no signs of stopping. She is still the Chair for her local Legacy, the organisation that provides services to families of deceased defence force members.
Sylvia also runs a seniors club, a Sunnysiders club, and card group, and is a member of Friends of the Parks. In between her volunteer activities she regularly attends the gym and meets with her school chums and her water aerobics group, at the local Parks Community Centre.
As the Enfield volunteer bus driver for many years, Sylvia dressed up as Santa Claus at Christmas, revealing the joy volunteer work brings her. She was also on the board of the local branch of the Health Centre and the Housing Trust.
Sylvia has received many community awards, including a Legends Award for her contributions to the community.
Do you know people as dedicated to their community as Zibeon and Sylvia?
Here's what to do next
Nominations for 2021 Australian of the Year must be: individuals (groups of people are not eligible); a living person (unfortunately posthumous awards cannot be granted); Australian citizens; aged 16-30 for Young Australian of the Year; and aged 65 and over for Senior Australian of the Year.
Selection criteria to consider when nominating a person for the awards include:
- Significant contribution to the Australian community and nation
- An inspirational role model for the Australian community
- Demonstrated excellence in their field
- The Local Hero award acknowledges a significant contribution at local community level
WHO WILL YOU NOMINATE?
You can help find the 2021 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (65 years+), Young Australian of the Year (16-30 years) and Australia's Local Hero by nominating a champion in your community.
The awards are nominated by the public, so visit australianoftheyear.org.au to nominate someone you admire who is helping to make Australia better.
The National Australia Day Council has tips for writing a top nomination.
Nominations are open until July 31.
- ACM, the publisher of this website, is a proud supporter of the Australian of the Year Awards.