MEDIA RELEASE
SATURDAY 25 january 2014
AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2014 ANNOUNCED
Australian of the Year 2014 - Adam Goodes (NSW)
Senior Australian of the Year 2014 - Fred Chaney AO (WA)
Young Australian of the Year 2014 - Jacqueline Freney (NSW)
Australia’s Local Hero 2014 - Tim Conolan (VIC)
6:57pm, Canberra: Role model, youth advocate and footballer Adam Goodes has been named Australian of the Year 2014 at the Australian of the Year Awards held this evening in Canberra. The Prime Minister, The Hon Tony Abbott MP, presented Adam with the Australian of the Year 2014 award in front of a large crowd gathered on the lawns outside Parliament House.
Western Australia's Fred Chaney AO was named Senior Australian of the Year 2014 for his commitment to reconciliation; NSW Paralympic champion Jacqueline Freney was awarded Young Australian of the Year 2014 and Australia's Local Hero 2014 is children's charity founder Tim Conolan of Victoria.
The Australian of the Year 2014, Adam Goodes, was honoured for his leadership and advocacy in the fight against racism both on the sporting field and within society - a stance which has won him the admiration and respect of people around Australia.
An Andyamathanha man, Adam is a champion Australian Rules football player with the Sydney Swans. Adam holds an elite place in AFL history, winning two Brownlow Medals and two premierships. The 34 year old footballer is a four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, and has represented Australia in the International Rules Series.
Adam is proud of his Indigenous heritage and is actively involved with several Indigenous sport and community programs. He has spent time working with troubled youth, including those in youth detention centres. Together with his cousin and former teammate Michael O’Loughlin, Adam established the Go Foundation which empowers the next generation of Indigenous role models in all walks of life. Adam co-chairs the foundation, focused on promoting education, employment and healthy lifestyles.
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The Senior Australian of the Year 2014, Fred Chaney AO, has been recognised for his commitment to reconciliation and human rights.
Fred's decades of hard work in support of often marginalised people has never faltered. As founding co-chair of Reconciliation Australia and an early advocate for Aboriginal voting rights in 1961 and for the 1967 referendum, Fred’s contribution has included helping establish the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia to his national role as Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
For many years, Fred was Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal and, more recently, is Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia and chaired the Board of Central Desert Native Title services. He was instrumental in establishing the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, which supports Indigenous young people to reach their potential.
Now 72 years old, Fred’s long history of public service is rooted in his fierce commitment to social justice and a belief in the inherent equality of people. In all his leadership roles, Fred inspires others to work collaboratively, respectfully and ambitiously to overcome the barriers that inhibit people’s full economic and social participation in Australian society.
The Young Australian of the Year 2014 is 21 year old Paralympic swimmer Jacqueline Freney whose achievements, tenacity and commitment are proof that we are all capable of greatness.
Being born with cerebral palsy has not stopped Jacqueline Freney from achieving great success in the sporting arena. Following in the footsteps of her swimming family, Jacqueline
set herself the goal to become a competitive swimmer. In 2012, Jacqueline won a remarkable eight gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, becoming Australia’s
most successful Paralympian at a single Games. Two of Jacqueline’s performances were under world record time. She won a gold medal for every event in which she competed
and her gold medal haul was greater than any other competitor from any country. Her success earned her the crown of Australia’s 2012 Paralympian of the Year.
Jacqueline’s indomitable spirit is not confined to the swimming pool. She is actively involved in the wider community, working with Swimming Australia as a motivational speaker to help other people with disabilities reach their potential. Jacqueline is an inspirational role model and positive proof that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Australia’s Local Hero 2014 is Tim Conolan of Melbourne, Victoria who established the charity TLC for kids to make a difference to children in hospital and undergoing medical treatment. TLC for kids was started in 1998 by Tim and the charity has now assisted more than four million sick children and their families.
After a fearless entry into the world of entrepreneurship at age 20, Tim was asked to attend a cancer support group camp as a motivational speaker. It was there that he met some seriously ill children who were to change the course of his life. Wanting to make a difference, Tim established TLC for kids with his long-term partner, Ana. With passion and an infectious positivity, Tim has spearheaded the charity’s remarkable growth.
Tim was instrumental in developing the TLC’s national Distraction Box program which benefits more than half a million children every year in 400 Australian hospitals. Distraction Boxes include therapeutic toys and items used by healthcare professionals to guide children through frightening and painful procedures, with preliminary research suggesting the toys and items reduce procedure time and hospital waiting lists.
Tim’s mission is to ensure every child in every hospital in Australia has the emotional and practical support they need.
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The Chair of the National Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist, paid tribute to all the finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards 2014 and congratulated the recipients.
"The finalists are an extraordinary group of Australians who represent their States and Territory with distinction and who show us all what is possible in our country," said Adam.
"In Adam, Fred, Jacqueline and Tim we have fellow Australians who live their values every day, who have achieved great success and also use their success to help others and make a difference.
"They inspire us to be better Australians and their contributions make Australia a better place to live."
The Australian of the Year Award recipients were selected from more than 3000 nominations submitted by the public.
The Commonwealth Bank has been the major sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for 35 years. Chief Executive Officer, Ian Narev, congratulated the 2014 award recipients.
"The Australian of the Year Awards are a great honour, made even more special because everyday Australians nominate their peers for recognition," said Mr Narev.
"The award recipients for 2014 represent the very best of us. They are achievers whose passion and commitment bring about change for the benefit of this great nation."
Adam Goodes, Fred Chaney, Jacqueline Freney and Tim Conolan will take part in Australia Day activities by attending the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra tomorrow morning. They will then travel to Melbourne to attend the men's final at the Australian Open in the evening.
If there's someone you think should be considered for the Australian of the Year
Awards 2015, you can nominate them now at australianoftheyear.org.au.
ENDS.
Bio details for recipients attached with this media release
For further media information on the Australian of the Year Awards 2014 please contact:
Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 Steve Riethoff 0417 047 837
Zannie Abbott 0418 274 291 Scott Crebbin 0419 751 805
Follow Award announcements as they happen on Twitter: @ausoftheyear
and on the Australian of the Year Facebook page: facebook.com/AustralianoftheYear
TV Vision:
Vision of Australian of the Year Award 2014 announcements is available via ABCTV - please contact Master Control at ABCTV Sydney on 02 8333 1620 with any queries.
Photos:
Photos of the 2014 Awards recipients will be available for download after 8:30pm 25 January 2014 at http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/news-and-media/
Note:
The Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero 2014 will be at the Canberra Citizenship Ceremony & Flag Raising in Canberra 10:00am-11:00am Sunday 26 January 2014.
Please note interview access during Sunday 26 January is limited due to travel/function commitments.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit
www.australianoftheyear.org.au
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AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2014
NAME: ADAM GOODES
Date of birth: 8 January 1980
Lives: North Bondi, Sydney NSW
Place of birth: Wallaroo, South Australia
Occupation: Sydney Swans Football player (16 years in this position)
Other positions: Co-founder and Co-Chair of Go Foundation
Education: - Completed VCE at Horsham College, Victoria
- Diploma in Aboriginal Studies
- Diploma in Business Management
Achievements: - All-Australian AFL team 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011
- All Australian nominee 2010
- International Rules Series 2001, 2010 (Captain)
- Indigenous Team of the Century
- AFL Rising Star 1999
- Premiership side2005,2012
- Co-Captain Sydney Swans 2009-2012
- Best & Fairest Sydney Swans 2003,2006,2011
- Swans Rising Star Award 1999
- Player's Player Award 2006,2009-2001
- Best Clubman 2007
- Leading Goalkicker Sydney Swans 2009-2011
Awards: - Deadlys Ella Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sport 2013
- Brownlow Medal 2003, 2006
- AFLCA Player of the Year 2006
Interests/Hobbies: Golf, basketball, beach, watching all American sports
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SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2014
NAME: FRED CHANEY AO
Date of birth: 28 October 1941
Lives: Claremont, Perth, Western Australia
Place of birth: Mt Lawley, Western Australia
Education: University of Western Australia
Spouse/Partner: Angela Chaney
Children: Fred (47), Gervase (45), Patrick (41)
Current Occupation: - Board Chair, Desert Knowledge Australia (part-time position)
Has been in this position for 6 years
- Also holds other part-time positions and consultancies
Honours: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) awarded in 1997 "for service to the Parliament of Australia and to the Aboriginal community through his contribution to the establishment of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia and mediating with the National Native Title Tribunal".
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YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2014
NAME: JACQUELINE FRENEY
Date of birth: 6 June 1992
Lives: Skennars Head, NSW
Place of birth: Brisbane, QLD
Occupation: - Swimming pool attendant and Paralympic swimmer
- Freney Aquatic Enterprises (www.evansheadaquaticcentre.com)
- Motivational speaker (www.jacquelinefreney.com)
Education: - Mr Marys Primary School, Casino (K-Y6)
- St Marys High School , Casino (Y7-Y9)
- Xavier Catholic College, Ballina (Y9-Y12)
- Southern Cross Distance Education, Ballina (Y12 split over two years due to swimming commitments)
Achievements: - 2 x Paralympian (Beijing 2008, London 2012)
- 8 Gold Medals at London 2012 Paralympic Games
- Most decorated Australian athlete of the London 2012
Paralympic Games
- 3 Bronze Medals at Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
- Multiple world records
Awards: - Australia’s 2012 Paralympian of the Year and Female Paralympian of the Year
- NSW Young Athlete with a Disability Award
- Ballina Shire Sportsperson of the Year award
Currently: Training towards Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Interests/Hobbies: Competitive swimming, travelling, reading
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AUSTRALIA'S LOCAL HERO 2014
NAME: TIM CONOLAN
Date of birth: 6 August 1969
Lives: Melbourne, Victoria
Place of birth: Essendon, Victoria
Spouse/Partner: Ana Darras
Children: Elana (21)
Occupation: CEO & Founder TLC for kids (15 years in this position)
www.tlcforkids.org.au
Education: - Tullamarine Primary School
- Buckley Park Secondary College
Interests/Hobbies: Walking, movies, music, training, family
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