TRANSCRIPT
The Prime Minister has announced the 2024 Australians of the Year in a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra.
Mr Albanese says Australia Day is a significant day of reflection for all Australians.
"Our national day is our chance to do so much more than simply count our blessings. We pause to reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation, as a people, all that we have created and built and learn through all the ups and downs of our history; the challenges we have faced together, the opportunities we have seized together, the tests that we have passed together, and it is together that we look to the future."
Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, were both named Australian of the Year for 2024.
Together they've saved thousands of lives through their immunotherapy approach to treating melanoma.
They say they're honoured to receive the award.
L: "We never imagined our life's work would lead us here."
S: "We stand here tonight proudly representing every melanoma patient and their families, but also those with brain cancer and indeed all cancers. We share this incredible honour with a wonderful and support and wonderful team and support us at melanoma Institute Australia, the world's leading melanoma research and clinical care facility."
L: "Our thoughts are always with those families where our breakthrough treatments came too late. We are forever indebted to your loved ones, and all our patients for their selfless commitment to research, which has changed the futures for others, that is, Ozzie mateship at its very best."
Australian swimmer Emma McKeon was named Young Australian of the Year.
Ms McKeon is the most successful Australian Olympian of all time – a title she claimed before her 28th birthday.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Emma became the first female swimmer and the second woman in history to win seven medals in a single Olympics.
She says she's honoured to receive the award.
"I'm so humbled and honoured to have received this award, especially when you look at the calibre and achievements of the other nominees for the young Australian category to look around this room, and to see the huge positive impact that you're all having on our great country. It is a privilege to be alongside y'all. Firstly I want to congratulate everyone here tonight. What you're doing is beyond incredible, and you inspire me to keep working hard. I'm a very proud Australian and honoured to be recognised by my country and thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout my swimming career so far."
The 2024 Senior Australian of the Year is teacher, linguist and community leader, Yalmay Yunupiŋu.
As a teacher and linguist, she guided teaching at Yirrkala Bilingual School for four decades, retiring in March 2023.
Ms Yunupiŋu says benefiting her community was always at the forefront of her work.
"Education in school has always been my passion and my most treasured accomplishment in life Besides my family and community. As a young woman, I was curious to know where education would take me. I was inspired by teachers and my leaders.
But all those years I never expected that I was going to become a teacher linguist. I worked at a school teaching younger children for over 40 years. Through this, I became a teacher specialist in both wheels to benefit my people and community."
David Elliott has been named the Australian Local Hero for 2024.
Mr Elliot's discovery of a dinosaur fossil during a routine sheep muster in 1999 caused palaeontologists to flock to outback Queensland, making it a now-famous dinosaur hotspot.
Mr Elliott went on to found the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History on the property as a not-for-profit charity in 2002.
He says he will keep fighting for his ambitions.
"Building a museum has been my abiding passion for over 20 years, but it hasn't always been an easy path to follow. There's been some some bumpy section. sometimes there's been no path at all. But I've learned one thing. when you're overwhelmed, you have to believe in yourself. and you have to look back on your achievements and be inspired. You can make a difference. it just takes time.
A great museum. It's like a journey that has no final destination, and evolving thing moulded and shaped by traditions, integrity, and the dedication of countless people over countless generations, and they're in loves my love for the Australian nature dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, we can build it, we will build it. It's just a part of the journey."
