Australian of the Year facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Australian of the Year is an award presented on Australia Day (26 January) every year to an important Australian. The awards began in 1960 and are supported by the Australian government and several major companies. The awards are given by the National Australia Day Council. Over the years it has grown to include the Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year. An award to honor people at a local community level has also been developed as the Asutralian Local Hero. The first Australian of the Year was Nobel Prize winner, Sir Macfarlane Burnet.

Images for kids

The first Australian of the Year Sir Macfarlane Burnet, Australian of the Year 1960
Sir Robert Helpmann, Australian of the Year 1965
John Farnham was Australian of the Year in 1987
Recognising the role of Aboriginal Australians, Mandawuy Yunupingu, frontman of Yothu Yindi, was Australian of the Year in 1992
Fiona Stanley, Australian of the Year 2003, running with Summer Olympic Torch 2008
Ita Buttrose, Australian of the Year 2013
Dame Joan Sutherland, Australian of the Year 1961
Slim Dusty, Australian Senior of the Year
Maggie Beer, Senior Australian of the Year 2010
Awards Announcement, Australia Day Eve 25 January 2005
Australians of the Year Walk
The Australians of the Year Walk is on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra.

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Australian of the Year Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.