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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-14 Daily Xml
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AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:51): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about the Australian of the Year Awards for South Australia?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:52): I do recall a former Young South Australian. I think somebody who was decorated as Young South Australian of the Year was young Mia Handshin. I must say, following all this discussion about qualifications, I know there is one big disqualifying factor for those opposite—she was a Labor candidate for parliament. Let's be honest about the criticism.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I was delighted to be invited last night to participate in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards for South Australia. Every year our state celebrates the exceptional achievements of remarkable South Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards. In the past, Advantage SA has conducted a separate awards program, but it has now teamed up with the Australia Day Council of South Australia to deliver a unified awards presentation. It was a great event.

Last night I was proud to be able to present several awards, including the Senior Australian of the Year, which was awarded to Emeritus Professor Ian Maddocks. Ian Maddocks is one of Australia's pre-eminent palliative care specialists and a passionate advocate for the cause of peace. Recognised internationally for his work in palliative care, Professor Maddocks' texts are used worldwide. His ongoing endeavours in palliative care and advocacy for peace are to be commended.

The Young Australian of the Year for South Australia was also presented and this year was granted to Ms Vanessa Picker. Vanessa has already many innovative social and not-for-profit projects in her name. In 2012 she led her team to victory in Harvard University's Alumni 2012 Social Venture Challenge, in a project called Play It Forward. The project harnesses sport to build confidence and self-esteem in young people and also encourages people to donate preloved sporting gear to support local communities. She is a very worthy recipient of the award.

South Australia's Local Hero was awarded to Anna Kemp, who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women leaving prison. In 2006 she established the Seeds of Affinity project, which offers women leaving prison a safe place to accomplish small tasks to rebuild self-esteem and confidence. So far, Seeds of Affinity has helped more than 100 women adjust to returning to community life. This is a wonderful example of a public servant thinking of an idea and taking it out and making it real in the broader community.

The Australian of the Year, South Australia, was awarded to a very worthy recipient, cyber safety campaigner Sonya Ryan. For the past five years, Sonya Ryan has dedicated herself to the promotion of internet safety through the Carly Ryan Foundation established in memory of her daughter. We all remember the appalling circumstances in which Carly lost her life in 2007, and despite being filled with grief and despair, Sonya didn't turn inwards. What she did was reach out to others to ensure that similar tragedies would not occur again.

Sonya is now a frequent visitor to our schools where she tells Carly's story to warn of the potential dangers. I must say Sonya is an incredible inspiration, and she tells me that the thing that keeps her going is when she gets feedback that some of her advice has actually saved young people from falling into the hands of these evil predators.

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