Who ever it is, it's time for a change.

The last few years I have found our Australians of the year somewhat less than inspiring. In fact the last couple are very far from inspiring, & most in the specialists categories appear to be politically chosen, & badly chosen at that.

I have not much interest in some academics idea of a great Ozzie, or one chosen by the arty community, which appear to me to be the case recently.

I certainly hope that the rest of the world don't notice, or if they do, they don't think the people so honored would be chosen by the majority of the Oz population.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/ita-buttrose-named-australian-of-the-year-20130125-2dbxo.html

Congratulations to Ita Buttrose for a very deserved win for Australian of the Year 2013.

Hasbeen, if someone like Ita is not suitable for this honour as far as you are concerned, then you are very hard to please.

She gave women the magazine 'Cleo', with the great male centrefolds that amused me in my youth. :)

Being the head of Altzeimers Australia, and involved in awareness and health issues to do with dementia, Aids, breast and prostate cancer is not to be sneezed at either.

She is a true iconic Aussie.

Australian of the Year is chosen by the board of the National Australia Day Council:

http://www.australiaday.org.au/corporate/about-us/national-australia-day-council.aspx

Cheers,

Tony

Hasbeen,

<<Who selects the Ozzie of the Year?>>
Yep… I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.
<<The last few years I have found our Australians of the year somewhat less than inspiring. In fact the last couple are very far from inspiring, & most in the specialists categories appear to be politically chosen, & badly chosen at that>>
And I’ve been thinking that for years. It’s probably one of those things that our “betters” need to decide for us…like (state championed) multiculturalism.

_____________________________________________________________

Tony Lavis,
<<Australian of the Year is chosen by the board of the National Australia Day Council>>

So who chooses the National Australia Day Council?

Oh, that would be the Committee of Prominent Citizens.

And who chooses the Committee of Prominent Citizens?

A caucus of progressive citizens.

And who chose them?

The Australian of the year, of course!

Who selects the Ozzie of the Year?
The mutual admiration club !

With the last couple one could be mistaken the award was for the ego of the year. Perhaps a talent for self promotion is a prerequisite.

Suse I suppose it is a great achievement to have put pr*cks in a woman's mag, but that should surely make you eligible for Pri*k of the year. With the last couple, that might just be what they were awarding.

I very much doubt that such an august body as the National Australia Day Council could have a sense of humour, but these choices would tend to make it seem almost possible. Na! Huge egos, & a sense of self importance would be more the case. That & not enough savvy to realise what fools they make of themselves with these ludicrous choices for this award.