You decide. These are the finalists for ‘Australian of the year 2011’
– Professor Larissa Behrendt, indigenous rights lawyer (NSW)
– Simon McKeon, businessman and former director of World Vision (Victoria)
– Associate professor Noel Hayman, indigenous doctor (Queensland)
– Malcolm McCusker QC, philanthropic barrister (WA)
– Professor Tanya Monro, physicist (SA)
– Deborah De Williams, breast cancer campaigner (Tas)
– Professor Ian Chubb, vice-chancellor of the Australian National University (ACT)
– Professor Michael Christie, indigenous language expert (NT)
One businessmen, there because of the World Vision connection. The only scientist is–of course–female. No soldiers. Not one of the vast numbers of people who go beyond what’s required of them to keep essential services running. Not one ordinary Aussie, doing great things, in other words. And God knows there are plenty to choose from. Like this bloke, for example.
