The Senior Australian of the Year 2023 is…
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Yesterday, renowned professor and advocate for social justice and human rights, Tom Calma, was announced as the 2023 Senior of the Year.
The Yawuru man was born in the Darwin region in 1953, and is of Kungarakan and Iwaidja descent.
He joins fellow ACT resident Val Dempsey, who was last year’s Senior Australian of the Year, in receiving the most prestigious award for Australians over the age of 60.
So, who is Tom Calma, and why is he making headlines?
Well, Professor Calma has lead an impressive life and career. He’s long been acknowledged by the wider community for his dedicated work towards equality and rights for Indigenous Australians, and his contribution to leadership and public service.
For instance, he was the Race Discrimination Commissioner from 2004 to 2009, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from 2004 to 2010, and was a diplomat in India and Vietnam between 1995 and 2002.
He is currently the chancellor of the University of Canberra and Professor at the University of Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Professor Calma’s work at this year’s Australian of the Year Awards.
‘For the past four decades, he has championed the importance of empowerment, a passion that runs through his work in education, training, employment, health, justice reinvestment and development,' he said.
So far, Professor Calma has been integral towards the Voice to Parliament, co-authoring the 272-page report presented to the Morrison Government in 2021.
But even with the major achievements of this hard worker's illustrious career, Professor Calma insists that there is still a great deal of work to be done.
He also championed the importance of senior Australians being aware of misinformation and scams.
At the end of the day, the Lifetime Contribution award for this inspiring Indigenous leader is a testament to his incredible achievement.
Did you know?
The Australian of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1960 to recognise Australians who have made an outstanding contribution to the nation. The award is awarded by the National Australia Day Council and is presented by the Governor-General of Australia.
The first recipient of the award was Sir Macfarlane Burnet, an Australian virologist and Nobel Prize winner, who was recognised for his contributions to medical science. Since then, many more prominent Australians have been recognised, including artists, athletes, politicians, business leaders, and activists.
The award has grown in prominence over the years and is now recognised as one of the nation’s highest honours. It is one of the most sought-after awards in Australia, with hundreds of nominations received each year.
In 1999 and 1979 respectively, the National Australia Day Council introduced the Senior Australian of the Year and Young Australian of the Year awards to recognise the contributions of older and younger Australians. The awards are presented annually on Australia Day, which is celebrated on 26th January.
The Australian of the Year Award continues to be an important symbol of national pride and recognition of individuals who have made a significant contribution to Australian society.
Australian of the Year
Alongside Tom, Taryn Brumfitt was named the 2023 Australian of the Year
Taryn Brumfitt was recognised for her work in leading the Body Image Movement, an Adelaide-based organisation dedicated to promoting positive body image.
The 45-year-old has also written four best-selling books, and her 2016 documentary, Embrace, revealed the pressures women all over the world feel to conform to society's idea of beauty, has been seen by millions of people in 190 countries.
She has also spoken at over 200 events globally on the importance of being body-positive.
Congratulations, Taryn!
Other award winners include:
Archie Roach AC – Archie Roach has been posthumously appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to the performing arts and to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Claudia Karvan OAM – Claudia Karvan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the film and television industry.
Phillip Noyce AO – Director Phillip Noyce has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his work in film over five decades.
David Polson AM – David Polson has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to community health through HIV education and advocacy roles.
David Wenham AM – David Wenham has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution as a performer and producer.
Bronwen Edwards AM – Bronwen Edwards has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for founding Roses in the Ocean, an organisation representing people with a personal experience of suicide.
Denise Smith-Ali OAM – Denise Smith-Ali has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service in preserving Indigenous language.
Rauf Soulio AM – Judge Rauf Soulio has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to multicultural affairs, to the judiciary, and to the community.
Fred Alale AM – Fred Alale has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his significant service to Victoria's African communities.
Robert Manne AO – Melbourne writer and public intellectual Robert Manne has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary and to the Indigenous community.
Barbara and David Rugendyke OAM – The couple have both been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community, and to children, having fostered more than 400 children in their rural home.
We congratulate Professor Calma on his Senior Australian of the Year title, as well as all other 2023 award winners! We love seeing Australians excel and celebrating their achievements!
Interested in reading more about the inspiring finalists he beat out for the top prize? You can read more about them here.
Do you have an inspirational leader in your community? Share your stories in the comments below. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve!
The Yawuru man was born in the Darwin region in 1953, and is of Kungarakan and Iwaidja descent.
He joins fellow ACT resident Val Dempsey, who was last year’s Senior Australian of the Year, in receiving the most prestigious award for Australians over the age of 60.
2023’s Senior Australian of the Year. Image Credit: Australian of the Year Awards
So, who is Tom Calma, and why is he making headlines?
Well, Professor Calma has lead an impressive life and career. He’s long been acknowledged by the wider community for his dedicated work towards equality and rights for Indigenous Australians, and his contribution to leadership and public service.
For instance, he was the Race Discrimination Commissioner from 2004 to 2009, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from 2004 to 2010, and was a diplomat in India and Vietnam between 1995 and 2002.
He is currently the chancellor of the University of Canberra and Professor at the University of Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Professor Calma’s work at this year’s Australian of the Year Awards.
‘For the past four decades, he has championed the importance of empowerment, a passion that runs through his work in education, training, employment, health, justice reinvestment and development,' he said.
So far, Professor Calma has been integral towards the Voice to Parliament, co-authoring the 272-page report presented to the Morrison Government in 2021.
But even with the major achievements of this hard worker's illustrious career, Professor Calma insists that there is still a great deal of work to be done.
He also championed the importance of senior Australians being aware of misinformation and scams.
At the end of the day, the Lifetime Contribution award for this inspiring Indigenous leader is a testament to his incredible achievement.
Did you know?
The Australian of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1960 to recognise Australians who have made an outstanding contribution to the nation. The award is awarded by the National Australia Day Council and is presented by the Governor-General of Australia.
The first recipient of the award was Sir Macfarlane Burnet, an Australian virologist and Nobel Prize winner, who was recognised for his contributions to medical science. Since then, many more prominent Australians have been recognised, including artists, athletes, politicians, business leaders, and activists.
The award has grown in prominence over the years and is now recognised as one of the nation’s highest honours. It is one of the most sought-after awards in Australia, with hundreds of nominations received each year.
In 1999 and 1979 respectively, the National Australia Day Council introduced the Senior Australian of the Year and Young Australian of the Year awards to recognise the contributions of older and younger Australians. The awards are presented annually on Australia Day, which is celebrated on 26th January.
The Australian of the Year Award continues to be an important symbol of national pride and recognition of individuals who have made a significant contribution to Australian society.
Australian of the Year
Alongside Tom, Taryn Brumfitt was named the 2023 Australian of the Year
Taryn Brumfitt was recognised for her work in leading the Body Image Movement, an Adelaide-based organisation dedicated to promoting positive body image.
The 45-year-old has also written four best-selling books, and her 2016 documentary, Embrace, revealed the pressures women all over the world feel to conform to society's idea of beauty, has been seen by millions of people in 190 countries.
She has also spoken at over 200 events globally on the importance of being body-positive.
Congratulations, Taryn!
Other award winners include:
Archie Roach AC – Archie Roach has been posthumously appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to the performing arts and to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Claudia Karvan OAM – Claudia Karvan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the film and television industry.
Phillip Noyce AO – Director Phillip Noyce has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his work in film over five decades.
David Polson AM – David Polson has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to community health through HIV education and advocacy roles.
David Wenham AM – David Wenham has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution as a performer and producer.
Bronwen Edwards AM – Bronwen Edwards has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for founding Roses in the Ocean, an organisation representing people with a personal experience of suicide.
Denise Smith-Ali OAM – Denise Smith-Ali has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service in preserving Indigenous language.
Rauf Soulio AM – Judge Rauf Soulio has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to multicultural affairs, to the judiciary, and to the community.
Fred Alale AM – Fred Alale has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his significant service to Victoria's African communities.
Robert Manne AO – Melbourne writer and public intellectual Robert Manne has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary and to the Indigenous community.
Barbara and David Rugendyke OAM – The couple have both been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community, and to children, having fostered more than 400 children in their rural home.
We congratulate Professor Calma on his Senior Australian of the Year title, as well as all other 2023 award winners! We love seeing Australians excel and celebrating their achievements!
Interested in reading more about the inspiring finalists he beat out for the top prize? You can read more about them here.
Do you have an inspirational leader in your community? Share your stories in the comments below. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve!
