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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-13 Daily Xml
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Australian of the Year Awards

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (14:50): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about the 2015 SA Australian of the Year Awards?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for her question. It was my great pleasure to attend, with a range of members of parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition, the 2015 South Australian Australian of the Year Awards at a superb ceremony in the beautiful Adelaide Oval's William Magarey Room. It was an honour to join the Governor in acknowledging an outstanding group of South Australian finalists who have been nominated for the Australian of the Year Awards who have excelled in their chosen fields, whether at home, interstate or, indeed, abroad.

Last night we heard the achievements of some 16 South Australians and their particular contributions to our country. It gives me great pleasure to advise the house that Dr Gill Hicks MBE was awarded the 2015 Australian of the Year for South Australia. She is a most worthy recipient. One only needed to hear her contribution last night to know what an extraordinary story she tells.

Dr Hicks was severely injured in the 2005 London bombings, where she was the last survivor rescued from an underground train carriage. Dr Hicks had both legs amputated below the knee and was not initially expected to survive. Her injuries were so severe that paramedics could not initially identify her gender. Not only did Dr Hicks survive, but at that moment she made a miraculous choice that would change her life forever. Most of us would think that Gill had a right to live her life angry about what had happened to her, but not Gill Hicks. Instead, she made the remarkable choice of using this devastating experience for the good of humanity.

Dr Hicks went on to establish the organisation Making a Difference For Peace, making it her life's mission to address the issue of radicalisation head on. She did this through talking and listening, particularly to young men of Islamic faith who are on the verge of radicalisation. She did this through seeking to create an understanding for what these young men are facing in their lives and for them to see the consequences of their actions. Gill Hicks is an inspiring motivational speaker, author, curator and trustee for several cultural organisations. She is an incredibly worthy winner of the 2015 Australian of the Year Award for South Australia and, I might say, an excellent candidate for Australian of the Year.

Last night, other outstanding South Australians were also honoured. The winner of the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia was John Swan. He is well known in the rock and roll scene, for all of those rock and rollers opposite like the member for Hammond. Swanee is also a co-founder of the Autism Music Fund, and his Swags for Homeless charity helps people who are sleeping rough. He has donated much of his time, offering his musical performances as a way to raise funds for a range of causes, particularly the families of children who are seeking funds to pay for surgery.

Kristin Carson was announced as the 2015 Young Australian of the Year. Kristin is one of the youngest ever senior medical research scientists at The QEH and is responsible for more than 40 projects. Finally, Vince Coulthard was acknowledged last night as Australian of the Year, Local Hero for 2015 in South Australia. Well known to many of us in this house, Vince led the development of South Australia's first native title claim over the Flinders Ranges, which was awarded in 2009. Vince has been a servant of his community, as Director of Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Service in Port Augusta for two decades, and a regional councillor for ATSIC for nine years.

I am sure that everybody will join with me in congratulating these 16 finalists and winners of the 2015 South Australian of the Year Awards.

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