Awards
Senior Australian of the Year 2007 - Results
2007 winners of the Senior Australian of the Year Award
Details about the 2007 Senior Australian of the Year Recipient
Former speedcar champion Phillip Herreen of Pasadena, South Australia has been named 2007 Senior Australian of the Year for his voluntary support and advocacy work for injured persons.At a ceremony in Canberra on Australia Day eve, hosted by the Prime Minister, Mr Herreen received his award in recognition of his community work.
Mr Herreen's recognition as the Senior Australian of the year 2007 reflects the outstanding contribution he has made in giving practical assistance to people who have suffered life altering injuries.
Mr Herreen was one of Australia's most popular speedway drivers until a horrific crash in 1993 that left him confined to a wheel chair. It was to have been his last race before retiring from the track.
The national speedcar champion was not beaten by this life shattering event. He moved on to inspire many people with his deeds. Today he provides support and advocacy for many injured people.
Originally from the building industry, he now helps people rebuild their lives, brick by brick. He is a volunteer peer support advocate, working side by side with injured people, giving them encouragement, inspiration, and practical advice on living their lives in a wheelchair.
He is a mentor to many sports people who have become disabled through accidents. He is also a volunteer facilitator helping youth in trouble for driving and other offences.
He is an outstanding role model to all Australians and demonstrates the invaluable contribution being made by older Australians to our communities.
The Senior Australian of the Year award provides Australia with the opportunity to celebrate individuals who are doing extraordinary things.
Congratulations to Mr Herreen.
Top of Page
Details about the 2007 Senior Australian of the Year State and Territory Recipients
The 2007 State and Territory Senior Australians of the year are:New South Wales
Bernie Banton AMAbestos victims' advocate
The struggle for justice for individuals, families, and communities affected by asbestos involves many fighters; all have been touched and inspired by Bernie Banton's courage, compassion, and commitment. Bernie's own claim for compensation was settled long ago and from then on the fight was not about himself, but everybody else. Bernie stood up for the sick, the bereaved, the dying, and for what was right for his community. Despite his own debilitating disease, as Vice President of the Asbestos Disease Foundation he willingly travelled anywhere to attend meetings, make personal appearances, and give lectures. Bernie generated a happiness, a sense of empathy, and a commendable charity that endeared him to everyone with whom he came into contact. Bernie died at his home on 27 November 2007 and his state funeral was held on 5 December 2007.
Victoria
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBEPhilanthropist
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is an inspiration and a role model for all seniors with her high level of energy, her generosity of spirit, and her common touch. As well as raising children, she has devoted her life to philanthropy. Before her marriage in 1928, she worked as a volunteer for the RSPCA. She joined the management committee of the Royal Children's Hospital in 1933, serving as its president from 1954 to 1965. An astute and passionate supporter of many worthy causes, particularly the arts, Dame Elisabeth is also firmly committed to the health and welfare of children. She is renowned for her compassion and generosity and is universally admired for her tireless philanthropic works. It has been said that her interests are so many that they need to be listed alphabetically. Dame Elisabeth's high level of charity work, even in her nineties, is inspirational.
Queensland
Dr Clem Jones AOCivic leader
Clem Jones's contribution to the development of Brisbane is well known. As Lord Mayor from 1961 to 1975, he presided over a term that saw the Queensland capital grow from a sleepy country town into a vibrant and cosmopolitan sub-tropical city. A surveyor by profession and cricket ground curator of some renown, Clem's civic service continued well after his retirement from politics through his membership of many civic, sporting, and professional bodies, such as the Darwin Reconstruction Commission following Cyclone Tracey, the Western Queensland Flood Appeal, and his election as delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1998. His vision, enthusiasm, and energy have made him a commanding force in many projects, including aged and disabled persons care, World Masters Games, and Queensland football. His honours include the key to the city of Brisbane and recognition for his contribution to sport with an Associate Membership of the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame.
South Australia
Phillip HerreenDisability Mentor
Phillip Herreen was one of Australia 's most popular speedway drivers until a horrific crash in 1993, in his last race before retiring from the track, left him confined to a wheel chair. The former national speedcar champion is still inspiring people with his deeds. After benefiting from the enduring support of his wife, family, and the speedway fraternity, Phillip understands what it's like for people who don't have a team to support them, so he fills that gap. Originally from the building industry, he now helps people rebuild their lives, brick by brick. He's a volunteer peer support advocate, working side by side with injured people, giving them encouragement, inspiration, and hints on life in a wheelchair. He's a mentor to many sports people who have become disabled through accidents. And Phillip is a volunteer facilitator helping youth in trouble for driving and other offences.
Western Australia
Dr Kenneth CollinsCommunity contributor
Top of PageDr Collins has dedicated his life to helping others as a medical practitioner and through volunteer service in a range of civic organisations. Indeed, his community service began when he was a young schoolboy. As far back as 1945 Ken was the top fund raiser for his school's war effort. Throughout his teens and into his thirties he served the community through various church activities and then in his forties he began his long association with Rotary as a volunteer and leader. This was on top of his working long days in general practice. In 1980, Ken single-handedly set up Rotary's major fundraiser in WA in the form of a Sunday market, raising more than $3 million for community projects. His service has extended to overseas humanitarian projects and contributions to innumerable committees and organisations, yet still he finds time to play Santa each December for kids and old folk.
Tasmania
Frank Hesman OAM BEMCommunity contributor
Frank Hesman has been serving his community since he first arrived in Australia as a migrant in 1950 and he joined the Good Neighbour Council of Tasmania, helping many newcomers to settle in the state. Since that time, he has contributed through positions with the Glenorchy Knights Soccer Club (secretary for forty years), the Tasmanian Ethnic Community Council, the Continental Music Society, Glenorchy Lions Club, and CAVE, which cares for and visits the elderly. Frank has also served as honorary secretary of the Australian Soccer Association for 21 years, organising tournaments in all capital cities. As honorary secretary of the Historical Arms and Military Society he donned uniform and visited veterans in hospital to bring them presents. Frank was also a foundation member of the International Wall of Friendship, built with stones donated by all ethnic communities who have settled in Tasmania , the only monument of its kind in Australia .
Australian Capital Territory
Dr Kaye PriceIndigenous education advocate
Dr Price's commitment to education can be seen in her career as a primary school teacher, principal, university lecturer, Indigenous education consultant, and curriculum writer. The list of advisory and consultative committees and education bodies she has contributed to over the past forty years is very extensive. She has lectured at tertiary levels in Queensland and now at the University of Canberra . Kaye has worked tirelessly on improving the educational experience for Indigenous school students through her investigations of pragmatic learning environment programs and her examination of the relationships between school outcomes and Indigenous students' positive self identity. Kaye certainly practises what she teaches. As proof that learning and education is a life-long process, she graduated in 1995 with a Master of Education from the University of South Australia and this year was awarded her doctorate by the ANU's Centre for Cross-Cultural Research. All this while balancing a family support role.
Northern Territory
Patricia AndersonIndigenous health advocate
Pat Anderson has a national and international reputation as a powerful advocate for the disadvantaged, with a particular focus on Indigenous health. She chairs the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, an exciting collaboration of twelve organisations representing researchers, policy makers, and service delivery agencies working to improve Indigenous health. Pat has spoken before the UN Working Group on Indigenous People and has extensive experience in all aspects of Indigenous health, including community development, advocacy, policy formulation, and research ethics. She is a prolific writer who has published many essays, papers, and articles. Until recently, Pat held the position of Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, which is the peak body of the Aboriginal community health organisations in the Northern Territory , and is currently a board member of Beyondblue, the bipartisan initiative of federal, state, and territory governments aimed at raising community awareness about depression.
Congratulations to all of the 2007 State and Territory Senior Australians of the year.
Top of page
