The former Lieutenant-General from Canberra has been recognised for his campaigning for equality between the sexes.
At a ceremony on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra before a crowd of thousands, the former army head stepped up to accept his award and echoed the sentiments of the YouTube address which went viral around the world in which he said “the standard you walk by is the standard you accept”.
“I know what we can do when we give everyone a fair go. But I cannot explain why there is still a gender pay gap in this country,” he said.
He pledged to also use his tenure to lend his support to the republican cause.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull honoured the eight nominees – including a human rights lawyer, an Ebola-fighting nurse, a transgender military officer and a sex discrimination commissioner – as “shining examples of our best selves”.
The newly minted Australian of The Year steps into big shoes. His predecessor, domestic violence campaigner, Rosie Batty has set the bar high in terms of the workload Australians of the Year should take on and the influence they should bring to bear.
From relative obscurity – and brought to national attention through the most awful of circumstances – Rosie’s tenure has been recognised by seasoned observers as a game-changer.
Recognising her contribution to the fight against domestic violence, Prime Minister Turnbull said: “Out of sadness and loss she encouraged us to stand up and say no to violence against women and girls and no to the disrespect from which that violence stems.”
Brisbane’s Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett were named Young Australians of The Year for their inspirational mobile laundry service for homeless people.
The Local Hero award went to Sydney Story Factory founder, and former Sydney Morning Herald literary editor, Dr Catherine Keenan. And the tireless efforts of Sydney’s long-serving St Vincent’s Hospital ER director, Professor Gordian Fulde were recognised with him being named Senior Australian of The Year.
