What do you think.

A certain percentage of votes?

I don’t who gets to vote, someone may be able to enlighten me? There have been some good choices and a lot of bad ones. Doctor Fraser was the right choice but when sports identities or other high profiles become Australian of the year I think we have lowered the bar and cheapened the credibility of the whole thing.
Are Corey Delaney or some of the Melbourne crime families in the running? Some of the profiles created and cultivated by Commercial television and the soapy magazines are of trashy Australians but would attract votes from parts of our community.

Australian of the Year?

NOT:

A sportsperson

Actor

Politician

Pop Star

Lawyer

Stockbroker

Any kind of CEO, unless they donate every cent to charity.

WHO SHOULD:

Any one of our myriad volunteer workers.

My mum

My dad (posthumously)

The man who stopped and repaired my car when broken down miles from anywhere 15 years ago.

All my friends

In my opinion the Australian of the year should go to a parent who has at least three kids, a motgage and holds a full time job knowing that with travel costs to and from work they would be just as well off if they stayed home.

These are real deserving Australians of the year and I belive there are many of them out there.

It is such a big question and I scratch my head to the choices they come up with. I think the whole thing is discriminatory. I have seen normal every-day people do the most extraordinary feats of bravery in saving the life of a stranger and if it doesn't hit the media, know- one knows about it. This in my view, the way one is nominated, as fractal has mentioned above, is wrong.

Saving the life of a stranger or helping would be my choice.

I think voting should start with each town nominating what the people know that has happened in there community and once all towns and cities have made their choice's, then it should be put to the Australian people for the final vote.

There are stories and there are stories. Sportsmen, actor's, charity worker's all seem to be there year after year.

Ideally it would be someone who has a connection to the open skies and the wide space of our shared homeland.

A connection to the smell of eucalyptus, the blossom of the wattle, and to our magnificent fauna. A connection to the great Southern Cross which helps light up our sky at night and keeps a watchful eye over our national destiny.

Celebrating the creed of country puts Indigenous Australians right at the centre of our national story where they belong. It acknowledges Indigenous Australians special connection to our great land. Love of our big country is our biggest pride. The creed of country should be a creed that unites us all.

I would like to see an Aboriginal person who has contributed to their community be made Australian of the year - just once.

Other than that - it would have to be someone who works towards giving
relentlessly to others - along the likes of Fred Hollows for example.

I too would prefer it not to be a 'celebrity' or a 'sports star'
but a genuine contributor to society.

T.V directors, this is a free one from EVO. If it is done right, it will be bigger than BIG BROTHER and the real Australian's will be seen.

Just a thought.

I hear you Foxy.

The mass media! If you have good relations with them, if they need you, if you are useful to them then sure you will be an Australian of the year!
The government has enough power to increase your chances to become an Australian of the Year. How many votes do you control? How many votes can you bring to the governing party? You are good! let's award you!
Non government organizations. They have very good name. Can you find any back door or window open and win their support or a good word from them? Then sure every one will stand by you, even me!
Are you a minority leader and top class YESman? Then you have big chances to become an Australian of the year.
Are you a good scientist? can you recreate the Tasmanian Tiger? Then you will be and you will deserve to be an Australian of the Year!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaid