As the country gears up to celebrate our national pride on Australia Day eve, the National Australia Day Council will present the prestigious Australian of the Year awards in Canberra.
Featuring four categories, Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero, the awards culminate the year round program, which recognises national finalists who were state/territory award-winners.
Honouring excellence, inspirational role models and contribution to community, the Australian of the Year Awards recognises individuals who embody dedication, commitment and sacrifice.
As 2015 Queensland Australian of the Year, Gold Coast City’s own Hetty Johnston AM is a finalist for the national Australian of the Year award and will be in Canberra this Australia Day eve for the awards presentation.
As the founder of national child protection advocate Bravehearts, Mrs Johnston is recognised for her unwavering commitment to child safety in our community, spearheading multiple awareness-raising campaigns and successful social policy and legislative changes in the child safety domain.
Mrs Johnston established Bravehearts in Gold Coast City in 1997, highlighting the preventable nature of child sexual assault and has since worked tirelessly to raise awareness for a topic once shrouded in taboo.
From humble beginnings, Bravehearts has grown to 80 staff, with 13 offices across six states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, ACT, South Australia and Tasmania) providing school-based prevention programs, counselling, research, support and case management for survivors.
To read more about Bravehearts, visit their website Facebook page and Twitter
To view a short clip profiling the Queensland finalists for each Australian of the Year category, including Gold Coast City’s own Hetty Johnston AM, visit http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/australian-of-the-year-profiles-2015/IV1566H009S00
Tune into ABC at 6pm on Sunday to watch the Australian of the Year awards and get behind our remarkable Queensland role models as they are honoured for their commitment to our community.
Photo by Michael Chambers
Source: The Courier-Mail
