Congratulations to our Foundation Fellow Dr David Headon and our 2020 ‘Australia and the World’ Annual Lecture Speaker Ms Pat Turner AM, who have both been nominated for Australian of the Year in the ACT!
Australian of the Year Nomination:
Ms Patricia Turner AM: Advocate for Aboriginal health
An Arrernte and Gurdanji woman, Patricia Turner AM has successfully negotiated with all levels of government to ensure that the concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are given respectful consideration.
As CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and the Lead Convener of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Peak organisations, Pat has an invaluable record of improving Aboriginal health outcomes. Pat's leadership at NACCHO is creating real, meaningful and lasting change that will strengthen and support community-based Aboriginal health services. She is the driving force behind a partnership between the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the Coalition of Peak to facilitate shared decision making. One of the key outcomes from this partnership is a new national network funding agreement on Closing the Gap, which will help keep Aboriginal health in the hands of Indigenous communities. For her outstanding contribution to public service, Pat has been awarded the Order of Australia.
Senior Australian of the Year Nomination:
Dr David Headon: Historian, writer, TV presenter and cultural expert
Historian, author, television presenter, researcher and cultural expert, Dr David Headon has dedicated his life to sharing important stories about Australia and the ACT. Over decades of work in academia, the public service, media and education in Australia and overseas, David exemplifies best practice in researching, writing and communicating to a broad audience. David is a regular commentator on cultural, political and social issues in the Canberra media, and has shared Australia's culture and history to audiences worldwide. He has published many books, curated major exhibitions in Canberra and London, and created a compelling series of ABC programs on the making and shaping of our nation's capital. David has also held leadership roles at important cultural institutions, including Director of the Centre for Australian Cultural Studies, Cultural Advisor to the National Capital Authority, and History and Heritage Advisor for the Centenary of Canberra. In 2001, he was recognised with a Centenary Medal by the Australian Government. He is currently a Foundation Fellow at the Australian Studies Institute, ANU.
Congratulations to all the nominees for their extraordinary achievements!
More info: Meet the ACT's 2021 Australian of the year nominees, The Canberra Times