Alumni News

Richard on ABC Conversations

In conversation with Richard

Joint 2024 Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer AO has spent his medical career saving the lives of people with melanoma.

Then suddenly last year, the life he had to save was his own. A tumour was discovered in Richard’s brain and the diagnosis was terminal. 

Richard and his colleagues decided to try something completely radical and experimental. 

Listen on ABC Conversations now

Amplify Housing deliberation

Amplifying their voices

Ten Australian of the Year Awards recipients took part in a deliberation on housing run by AMPLIFY.

Coming together from across Australia, they deliberated on and shortlisted from 46 housing reform proposals, assessing each proposal on impact, feasibility and value for Australians. In February, 100 Australians will come together to find 'uncommon ground' on reforms to improve housing affordability, security and choice through Australia’s first national public deliberation on the subject.

A great experience and platform for Australians to be heard on issues that impact us all. 

Pictured: Nick Hudson/WA, Belinda Young/VIC, Melissa Redsell OAM/QLD, Christine Robertson OAM/SA, Amar Singh/NSW, Clair Harris/TAS, Bernie Shakeshaft/NSW, Selina Walker/ACT, Blair McFarland/NT, Professor Frank Oberklaid AM/VIC

King Charles meets Australians of the Year

Our 2024 Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, met with Their Majesties at the Melanoma Institute during their recent visit. Other Australians of the Year and alumni also attended a Parliamentary Reception with the King and Queen: • David Elliott OAM - 2024 Australia's Local Hero • Joanne Farrell - 2024 ACT Australian of the Year • Tick and Kate Everett - 2019 Australia's Local Heroes • Danzel Baker OAM - 2019 Young Australian of the Year • Dawn Fraser AC MBE - 1964 Australian of the Year • Suzanne Packer - 2019 Senior Australian of the Year • Daniel Nour – 2022 Young Australian of the Year

Read more from Melanoma Institute Australia

Heather Lee OAM running for premature babies

2019 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Heather Lee OAM has become a Running for Premature Babies Honorary Patron. When Heather discovered she shares her birthday with World Prematurity Day (17 Nov), she decided to use this milestone each year since to promote the charity. Heather completed 200km in November in the Premmie Marathon Challenge, joining over 5000 participants from around Australia who have together raised over $1 million for lifesaving neonatal equipment for hospitals in need. And it's all thanks to 2019 NSW Local Hero Sophie Smith OAM's initiative, the Running for Premature Babies Foundation.

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RUNNING FOR PREMATURE BABIES

Watch 2019 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Heather Lee OAM on Sunrise talking about Running For Premature Babies and November's marathon challenge.

Learn more about Heather

Cover girl Glenys

Have you seen the latest cover star of the Australian Over 50s Living and Lifestyle Guide? It's none other than our 2024 VIC Senior Australian of the Year Glenys Oogjes. Have a read about her activism over the years. Such a changemaker when it comes to animal welfare and justice.

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Craig Hollywood receiving cheque

Short Back & Sidewalks founder Craig Hollywood honoured

Short Back & Sidewalks (SBSW) founder Craig Hollywood - and our 2022 WA Local Hero - was recently awarded AHIA Vidal Sassoon Humanitarian of the Year 2024 at the Australian Hair Industry Awards 2024 - Business. SBSW gives haircuts free of charge and free of judgement.
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Ensemble Q and William Barton

William Barton and Ensemble Q

The world premiere of 2023 QLD Australian of the Year William Barton’s new work, Journey to the Edge of the Horizon, wowed the audience at Perth Concert Hall. William continues to expand the horizons of the yiddaki (didgeridoo) through his innovative compositions and performances. Check out this wonderful wrap up of the concert with Ensemble Q.
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Emma in Canberra

Following her magnificent performance in Paris, 2024 Young Australian of the Year Emma McKeon AM visited Canberra in September for a three-day schedule. First up,meeting with the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC. Then a meet and greet with young swimmers at the Australian Institute of Sport, before getting up close and personal with our Awards partners Australian National University, Australian Community Media and the Department of Education's Office for Youth.

Read more about Emma

Peter selected for 2024 Emerging Climate Leaders Program

2024 Young Australian of the Year Peter Susanto has been selected as one of four Australian delegates for the 2024 Emerging Climate Leaders Program, and is the first NT representative. His selection means he'll be taking part in the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan, where he hopes to learn climate solutions that can be implemented in the NT.

Read more on ABC
Photo of Kieren Perkins OAM

Kieren inducted into Hall of Fame

1992 Young Australian of the Year Kieren Perkins OAM has been inducted into the Swimming Australia Hall of Fame. From that first gold medal at Barcelona 1992 and gold at Atlanta 1996 to that final showdown at Sydney 2000 where he finished his career with silver at home, Kieren remains a firm Aussie favourite.
Learn more about Kieren
Dr Raj at a citizenship ceremony

It comes full circle for Dr Raj

2023 VIC Australian of the Year Dr Angraj Khillan was part of the Australian Citizenship 75th Anniversary celebrations. "Thinking back to 20 years ago when I migrated to Australia and was on the other side, receiving my citizenship certificate. This time, I had the privilege of inspiring new citizens. The kindness I’ve received from Australian communities has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined or hoped for."
Learn more about Dr Raj

Taryn launches Embrace magazine

The Embrace Collective has launched their inaugural parenting magazine. 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt, co-Executive Director of The Embrace Collective, said that they wanted to provide another way to help parents help young people learn to appreciate and be kind to their bodies, with clear, accurate information that cuts through the clutter to empower parents to navigate these and other parenting issues with confidence.

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Katrina Fanning joins NRL Hall of Fame

For the first time ever, six women have been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. Among them was Wiradjuri woman and 2020 ACT Australian of the Year Katrina Fanning. Katrina had to fight for her right to play the sport she loved from the age of eight up to the age of 12, which was the age girls were not allowed to continue playing.
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Book cover of Dancing With Demons

Dancing with Demons

As the 2010 ACT Australian of the Year, Professor Patricia Easteal AM was recognised for her academic work, advocacy and activism concerning violence against women. While not a memoir, her novel Dancing With Demons draws extensively on her life experiences and academic expertise with family and domestic violence, sexual violence, its effects and recovering pathways, revealing the transformative power of therapy and twelve-step programs.
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Photo from Adelaide's Inspiring Australians Student Summit of Australians of the Year speaking

Inspiring the next generation of leaders

Adelaide's second Inspiring Australians Student Summit was a pivotal opportunity for young people to engage with influential figures dedicated to making a difference and exploring future pathways. Their contributions not only inspired but also provided actionable ideas...
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Photo of Bernie Shakeshaft

Pioneering a new path for Australia’s at-risk youth

With his background as a jackaroo and expertise in Aboriginal tracking, 2020 Australia's Local Hero Bernie Shakeshaft uses animal-assisted learning, agricultural training and residential care to transform young lives. He visited Adelaide to share his wisdom.
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