CANBERRA—If someone's story inspires, then nominate him or her for Australian of the Year as chances are it will inspire others.
That was the message Prime Minister Kevin Rudd championed today as he launched nominations for the 2009 Australian of the Year.
Mr Rudd said the award, inaugurated in 1960, had become an increasingly important annual recognition of positive achievement by individuals who made a difference. ` He urged all Australians, young and old, to think about who deserved it.
Mr Rudd said as he travelled across Australia he was constantly surprised and amazed by local acts of heroism, contribution and community service which would otherwise go unrecognised in the country at large.
"You think of names such as Joan Sutherland, Weary Dunlop, Fred Hollows, Arthur Boyd, Cathy Freeman - that is indeed a role of honour," he said.
"Australians of the Year are role models to a new generations of Australians. They are Australians who lift our spirits, they inspire us. They are positive role models."
Australian of the Year board acting chair Shelley Reys said there could be no award without nominations.
"Now is the time to really think about who do you think could inspire our nation and who do you think is the best and brightest," she said.
"If their story has inspired you, then there is a really good chance it will inspire others so we would like to hear about it."
Nominees can be friends or acquaintances but there is no requirement to even know the person.
Farmer's wife Mrs Annette Dowton, from Wirrimah outside Young, NSW, thought country musician Lee Kernaghan was a worthy Australian of the Year for 2008.
"I hadn't met Lee until yesterday," she said.
"I did nominate Lee because I felt he needed to be recognised for the time and effort that he and his committee put into arranging and performing at drought relief concerts all over Australia."
Social entrepreneur David Bussau is Senior Australian of the Year and motorcycle racing champion Casey Stoner Young Australian of the Year. Jonathon Welch, creator of the choir of hard knocks, is Australia's Local Hero for 2008.
Nominations are open for these four categories and close on August 31.
Nominations can be made at www.australianoftheyear.org.au or by calling 1300 655 193 for assistance.
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