Kim McKay facts for kids

Kim Coral McKay is an amazing Australian who cares a lot about our planet. She is an environmentalist, which means she works to protect nature. She also writes books and is a successful businesswoman. Kim helped start two big campaigns: Clean Up Australia in 1989 and Clean Up the World in 1992. She also helped create The Genographic Project for The National Geographic Society. This project was the world's biggest study of human DNA.

Early Life and Learning

Kim Coral McKay was born in Sydney, Australia. She went to Mackellar Girls’ High School. Later, she studied at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). She earned a degree in Communications.

Kim's Work and Achievements

Starting Her Career

From 1983 to 1987, Kim worked as a consultant. She helped businesses with big events and tourism. This included helping with a solo yacht race around the world.

Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World

Kim McKay helped start the Clean Up Australia campaign in 1989. This was a huge effort to clean up rubbish across Australia. In 1992, she also helped create Clean Up the World. This project worked with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It helped people in over 125 countries clean up their local areas.

Kim worked closely with Ian Kiernan, who was named Australian of the Year in 1994. Together, they made Clean Up Australia a leading environmental group. Kim was the Deputy Chairwoman from 1989 to 2009. She also started the "Rubbish Report." This was a program where volunteers collected data about rubbish. It was one of the first "citizen science" projects. Clean Up Australia grew very big. At its peak, over half a million volunteers helped in more than 900 places.

Kim believes that everyone can make a difference. This idea has guided her actions.

Profile Communications and Discovery Channel

In 1989, Kim started her own company, Profile Communications. It focused on creating and marketing special events. One client was Discovery Channel, for their Eco-Challenge event. This was a tough adventure race held in wild places. Kim was the Managing Director until 1998.

She then joined Discovery Communications in the United States. There, she managed marketing for the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge. She worked with the producer, Mark Burnett. This extreme sports event happened every year in remote locations.

In 2000, Kim joined National Geographic Channels International. She was in charge of marketing for their fast-growing TV channel.

Momentum2 and The Genographic Project

In 2004, Kim returned to Australia. She started a new company called Momentum2. This company helped with big events and social responsibility programs. Her clients included National Geographic and Qantas.

Kim also helped create The Genographic Project. She worked with Dr. Spencer Wells and IBM. This was a huge research project. It used advanced technology to study DNA from people around the world. The goal was to understand our shared family history.

Leading the Australian Museum

In 2014, Kim McKay became the Director and CEO of the Australian Museum. This is a very important museum in Australia. She had been a Trustee of the museum before this.

Since becoming Director, Kim has made many changes. She made general entry free for children. She also built a new entrance called Crystal Hall. She started the Australian Museum Centre for Citizen Science. This center is part of the museum's research institute. Kim also created new galleries and programs. She restored the Westpac Long Gallery. This is Australia's first museum gallery. It reopened in 2017 with an exhibition called "200 Treasures of the Australian Museum."

Teaching and Media Work

Academic Roles

Kim McKay has also taught at universities. As of 2016, she was an honorary adjunct professor at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Media Appearances

Kim often talks about environmental action in the media. She gives speeches to businesses, community groups, and schools. She presented "True Green Tips" on Sky News Australia. She also wrote a weekly "True Green" column for The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney). In 2009, she was named one of G Magazine's Top 20 Australian Eco Heroes. She also had a weekly "True Green" radio spot for ABC regional radio.

Awards and Recognition

Kim McKay has received many awards for her work:

• In 2008, she was given the Officer of the Order of Australia AO. This was for her great service to the environment and community.
• In 2010, she received the UTS Chancellor's Award for Excellence.
• In 2011, she was included in the book "The Power of 100...One Hundred Women who have Shaped Australia."
• In 2013, she was named in The Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence list.
• She became a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 2021.
• She received Australian Geographic's Lifetime of Conservation Award in 2013. This was for her dedication to protecting Australia’s environment.
• She won the Avon Spirit of Achievement Award in 1994.
• She received a United Nations Honorary Mention for Excellence in Communication in 1994.

Community and Board Roles

Kim McKay is involved in many non-profit organizations. She helps guide them with her experience.

• She is a board member of the Australian Museum Trust and the Australian Museum Foundation.
• She is on the Advisory Board for One Million Women.
• She is on the Foundation Board for the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
• She is a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).
• She is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (NSW).
• She is on the board of the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation.

Kim has also been Deputy Chairwoman for Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World. She has served on many other boards and committees. In 2008, she traveled to Antarctica as part of an expedition team. She gave lectures on board the ship.