MEDIA RELEASE TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2021
NORTHERN TERRITORY’S NOMINEES FOR 2022 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Twitter: @AusoftheYear and #AusoftheYear Facebook: @AustralianoftheYear
Nominees for the 2022 Northern Territory Australian of the Year Awards include a therapy dog specialist, an esteemed teacher and healer, Aboriginal health and justice advocates, a veteran helping others with mental health challenges, an LGBTQ+ advocate and a health specialist helping Timor Leste communities.
They are among 16 Territorians in the running to be named the NT Local Hero, Young Australian, Senior Australian or Australian of the Year.
The 2022 Northern Territory award nominees are:
Northern Territory Australian of the Year
Dr Joshua Francis - Paediatric Infectious Disease Specialist and researcher (Nakara)
Olga Havnen – Advocate for Aboriginal Australians (Darwin)
Leanne Liddle - Director of the Aboriginal Justice Unit (Darwin)
Kwame Selormey - CEO of Melaleuca Australia, community services leader (Darwin)
Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year
Kyle Bambra - Indigenous mentor (Darwin)
Sizolwenkosi Fuyana - Businesswoman, podcaster and youth advocate (Palmerston)
Paige Horrigan - LGBTQ+ youth leader and advocate (Palmerston)
Emma Warren - Life coach and business owner (Anula)
Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year
Robyne Burridge OAM - Disability services advocate and Founder of Focus-A-Bility (Darwin)
Bishop Daniel Eugene Hurley AM - Emeritus Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Darwin (Darwin)
Bilawara Lee - Elder, teacher, healer, academic-in-residence (Darwin)
Kathleen Short OAM - Community volunteer, arts and craft steward (Darwin)
Northern Territory Local Hero
Rebecca Forrest - Event organiser and fundraiser (Darwin)
Shaun Tatipata - Founding Director of Deadly Enterprises (Darwin)
Kristy Teunissen - Dog trainer, therapy dog provider (Zuccoli)
Paul Walker - Veteran, mental health speaker and photographer (Katherine)
*see bios on following pages
The nominees are among 129 people being recognised across all states and territories as part of the program, which began in 1960.
The four award recipients from the Northern Territory will be announced on the evening of Monday
1 November 2021 in a ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre which will also be available to watch online via livestream.
They will then join the other state and territory recipients as national finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2022.
National Australia Day Council CEO Karlie Brand congratulated the Northern Territory nominees on being selected for consideration in this year’s awards.
“The Northern Territory nominees all show great leadership and compassion,” said Ms Brand.
“They share a concern for the welfare of others and their contributions are to be celebrated.”
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit australianoftheyear.org.au.
ENDS.
Nominee bios on the following pages and can also be viewed from australianoftheyear.org.au.
Nominee photos can be downloaded from this link (note all photos provided by nominees):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z4pxggic4aesq1c/AAC0Qa0KUY7E4ZXakvIOvcDHa?dl=0
Media contact: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au