WA Citizen of the Year Awards
2011 Award Recipients
Arts Culture and Entertainment | Children and Young People Lifetime Achievement Award | Community Service | Industry & Commerce | Indigenous Leadership Award | Gold Swan | Governor's Award for Regional Development | Professions | Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award | Sport | Youth Arts | Youth | Burswood Youth Scholarship | Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship | Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award
Alan Dodge AM
After 18 years as a senior member of staff at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, Alan Dodge moved to Perth to take up the position of Director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia. During his 11 years in this position, Alan was dedicated to raising the profile of the state’s leading arts institution within government and with the local community through numerous projects, many of which also generated benefits for tourism, culture, community development and the revitalisation of Perth city. Alan promoted collaboration and entrepreneurship in the arts. He proposed the first City of Perth Winter Arts Festival to align other arts agencies with a major exhibition from Russia which he curated and championed. As well as maintaining national involvement on a number of boards and committees, Alan ensures his ongoing service to the local arts community through positions on the Perth International Art Festival, Perth Convention Bureau and the Art Boards of three Western Australian universities. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the arts in Australia, Alan was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2010 and previously was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres in France.
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Professor Stephen Zubrick
Professor Stephen Zubrick’s outstanding knowledge in the fields of speech and hearing science and psychology has positively impacted on the lives of children and young people in Western Australia. Since migrating from the USA in 1972, his achievements have included a clinical practice for speech pathology and psychology in the Western Australian Department of Health and contributing extensive research through a key role in the seminal Western Australian Child Health Survey and Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey. He was part of the project team that developed the Australian Early Development Index and held the position of Head of Division of University Population Science programs three times. Stephen has also actively participated in many advisory groups covering youth suicide, early childhood, literacy and numeracy, Indigenous health, mental health promotion and parenting. He is the Chair of the Consortium Advisory Group for the landmark Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and a major contributor to the Life Series which educates Australian television audiences about early childhood development. As a clinician, researcher, mentor and advocate, Stephen continuously demonstrates a passion for improving the lives of all children and young people.
George Jones
George Jones is renowned for his business expertise and significant contribution to the finance and mining industries. In 2010, as a result of the tragic Sundance Resources plane accident, George not only stepped back into a role he had previously relinquished to guide the organisation through a time of crisis, but demonstrated great compassion for and commitment to the victims and their families. While George’s success as a businessman is well known, it is his commitment and untiring work with charities and the not-for-profit sector that make him a community champion. As a former resident in the 1950s, George has made a significant contribution to Parkerville Children and Youth Care. He has been on the Board of the non-government organisation for 10 years and has been instrumental in securing funds to establish Australia’s first child advocacy centre. George also has a strong association with the Ear Science Institute Australia which has seen him raise more than $16 million for a world-class Western Australian medical research and clinical facility dedicated to hearing loss, balance disorders and ear disease – conditions which affect millions of people throughout Australia and the world. Through his efforts, George has provided a legacy that will live on in Western Australia for generations to come.
John Langoulant AO
John Langoulant’s strong commitment to industry and commerce is evident. After gaining a Bachelor of Economics with Honours from the University of Western Australia, he moved to Canberra to commence a career in the Commonwealth Treasury before returning to Western Australia to assume various roles within the Western Australian Department of Treasury and Finance. John’s skills and service to the agency saw him advance to one of the most senior positions in the public sector, the Under Treasurer, a position he held for nine years. John was appointed Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia before moving to the role of Chief Executive of the private investment group Australian Capital Equity. He is currently the Chief Executive of Oakajee Port & Rail, a visionary project with stakeholders across many government, community and industry sectors. John takes an active role on the boards of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, GESB, the West Australian Ballet, Leadership WA, the Council of Australian Governments’ Reform Council and the Committee for Perth. In 2010 John was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Adjunct Professor Dennis Eggington
Adjunct Professor Dennis Eggington is a member of the Noongar community. Starting his career as a school teacher, Dennis has been a lecturer at Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Chair of the State Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the Assistant Regional Manager of Aboriginal Hostels Limited. He can also be credited with creating the Western Australian Aboriginal Media Association. Since 1996 he has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia. In his current role, Dennis ensures there is a strong voice for Indigenous people within the Western Australian justice system. He advocates that people and cases are dealt with in a culturally-sensitive manner and that cultural protocols are followed. His ongoing work has seen him awarded a John Curtin Medal in 2007 and the National NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2010. Last year he was invited to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on the Rights of Indigenous People in New York, and Dennis was named as one of The West Australian’s 100 Most Influential People in 2011.
Manna Inc
From its humble beginnings serving homemade soup to the city’s homeless in 1996 to becoming the leading Western Australian volunteer-operated program just 15 years later, Manna Inc has achieved much and grown its services despite receiving no government funding. Founded by Bev and John Lowe, the organisation’s mission is to alleviate the impact of poverty and hunger, change attitudes and create a safer community. It has expanded and created new projects through the experiences of the Manna team. From originally serving soup in an inner city park six days a week, it now provides food parcels, clothing and blankets to the homeless and offers a Christmas program which provides gifts for those in the community suffering from financial hardship. Its Indigenous funeral service provides assistance for those families struggling to meet the cost of burying a loved one. In 2008, a subsidiary, Manna Kids was formed, which now runs a School Breakfast Club, Winter School Uniform project and the Kids Cooking Facilities project in primary schools. Never slowing down in its endeavour to help our more vulnerable communities, Manna Assist for senior citizens will be launched this year.
GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Brendan Hammond
As Managing Director of Argyle Diamonds, Brendan Hammond generated a cultural revolution within the organisation which endures today and continues to gather momentum. The Argyle Participation Agreement, signed under Brendan’s leadership, was a clear demonstration of a conciliatory approach towards Aboriginal people. It lifted the bar in terms of Aboriginal employment by setting out to ensure that 40 per cent of Argyle’s workforce was Aboriginal, mirroring the demographic of the Kimberley region where it operates. The Argyle Participation Agreement was the first to promise the mine’s lease to the local Gija and Miriwoong people when operations cease. It provides royalties estimated at more than $5 million to be paid into trust funds for community development. Brendan was also instrumental in developing a Localisation Policy, reversing the reliance on fly-in fly-out workers and introducing an 80 per cent regionally-based workforce. These initiatives have set new benchmarks that the resource and construction sector now aspire to when doing business in Western Australia. Since leaving Argyle, Brendan has continued to be a major contributor to regional Western Australia through his Chairman roles with Horizon Power and the Dampier Port Authority.
Professor Ralph Martins
For more than a quarter of a century, Professor Ralph Martins has been a dedicated researcher and world leader in the research of Alzheimer’s disease. During this time, he has been part of medical teams who have made a number of internationally recognised discoveries which have contributed not only to the understanding of the disease, but also to how it can be detected so that early intervention may occur before irreparable brain damage. Ralph’s other discoveries include the genetic risk factors and lifestyles factors which contribute to the disease. On the back of this research he has published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including some of the most prestigious of international journals such as the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the Journal of American Medical Association. Through his leadership, commitment and tenacity Ralph has built, and continues to grow, a body of substantial and world-class research. He also continues to develop the clinical capacity of Western Australia with active links to his international peers at the forefront of the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. For more than 20 years, Ralph has been the Director and Head of the Sir James McCusker Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, and is also the Foundation Chair of Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease at Edith Cowan University.
SIR RONALD WILSON LEADERSHIP AWARD
Professor Samina Yasmeen
Samina Yasmeen is a Professor in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia and Director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies. She migrated to Australia in 1977 from Pakistan and has since achieved a distinguished record of academic achievement in the fields of human rights, Muslim minority affairs and foreign policy in the Indian Ocean region. She has edited three books and published 67 academic publications. She is also recognised as an outstanding teacher and has implemented a string of innovations to the teaching of international relations and the influences of Islam on world politics. Samina is highly respected and renowned in government and academic circles for her contributions to research on Muslims in Australia since the early 1990s. Her passion has been to educate and inform the community, raise the level of understanding and build trust, tolerance, confidence, safety, respect and security for all. To achieve this, Samina shares her knowledge with students, government, the Western Australia Police, the Australian Defence Force, the media and community at large. Her achievements have brought her widespread international recognition, with speaking invitations that have included the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, Sciences Po in Paris and the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
John Longley AM
With more than 30 years experience as an international sailor and a long list of corporate achievements, John Longley’s credentials speak for themselves. The 1983 America’s Cup victory put Western Australia on the world stage and accelerated the rejuvenation of Fremantle. As Project Manager of the Cup challenge, John managed the campaign, was a crew member and oversaw the building of Australia II, including the construction of her keel – all of which were significant contributions to the success of the venture. John has never shied away from a challenge and, in 1990, when financial difficulties threatened the HM Bark Endeavour project, not only did he and a number of his project staff continue work on a volunteer basis, his enthusiasm attracted support from craftsmen which ensured the completion of its construction and eventual launch in 1993. In 2000, John took up the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and he was made an honorary member of the organisation eight years later. John was a part of Western Australia’s successful bid to host the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth. He is currently serving as the Event Director of the Championships, to be held in Fremantle in December. John’s leadership, vision and commitment continue to evoke enthusiasm and support from those around him.
Curtis Taylor
At only 21 years of age, Curtis Taylor is an experienced filmmaker with an unwavering commitment to the advancement of arts and culture in Australia. After finishing school in 2008, Curtis worked as the Community Coordinator and Youth Development Officer at Martu Media, an organisation that develops the media skills of the Martu people through digital literacy development. A passion for filmmaking has also seen Curtis write and direct seven short films, work as Director of Photography on four films and have his work exhibited extensively, including at the National Museum of Australia. Curtis spent 18 months working as a filmmaker and youth ambassador on the Canning Stock Route Project where he worked to produce four short films which are part of the interactive touch screens element of this national and international touring exhibition. To further his professional development, Curtis has commenced a Bachelor of Culture, Communications and Media at Murdoch University. Curtis is currently working on the Stories Project and curating the multimedia content for a Stanford University Exhibition for which he is curator, consultant, educator, and a representative and advocate for the Martu people.
Rick Newnham
Rick Newnham’s commitment to ensuring young people have a voice in our community is the driving force behind his significant contribution to date. Rick was the first Western Australian to serve as the National Cadet Under Officer, charged with leading 16,500 Australian Army cadets. He has represented young Australians at the Commonwealth Day in London and been involved with the Australian Youth Forum, the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, and Western Australian volunteering organisation Youth Tree which he chairs. Rick is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Left Right Think-Tank, Australia’s first non-partisan think-tank for young Australians. Over the past two-and-a-half years, under Rick’s leadership, this organisation has designed and delivered a Fellowship Program for young people to learn and contribute to public policy, established an active and committed volunteer staff-base originally in Perth that has now expanded to the eastern states, and delivered Australia’s first youth-led convention at Parliament House in Canberra. Rick has completed a Bachelor of Commerce with a triple major in Corporate Finance, Management and Human Resource Management and is currently employed by Shell Development.
Brittany Moxham
Brittany Moxham has made a substantial contribution to young people and the arts in the Pilbara region. The 2005 Australian Student of the Year worked in the USA in performing arts and counselling for a disability organisation before returning home to Karratha in 2008. She joined the Karratha Youth Theatre as Project Officer and delivered several workshops each week to young people between eight and 25 years of age. Identifying the lack of performance opportunities for local youth, Brittany choreographed, produced and promoted the inaugural Karratha Youth Theatre musical, A Night of Musical Theatre, which played to a packed house and was an overwhelming success. Brittany remains the Artistic Director for the Karratha Youth Theatre and works as a Community Development Officer for the Shire of Roebourne, a role which allows her to continue to provide cultural and artistic opportunities for young people in the Pilbara and demonstrate that living in regional Western Australia is no barrier to fulfilling your dreams. Her drive, leadership and commitment has seen Brittany appointed to the Country Arts WA ‘YCulture Regional’ funding panel and, in 2009, present at the national Regenerating Community conference in Melbourne.
WESFARMERS INDIGENOUS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP
Curtis Taylor
At only 21 years of age, Curtis Taylor is an experienced filmmaker with an unwavering commitment to the advancement of arts and culture in Australia. After finishing school in 2008, Curtis worked as the Community Coordinator and Youth Development Officer at Martu Media, an organisation that develops the media skills of the Martu people through digital literacy development. A passion for filmmaking has also seen Curtis write and direct seven short films, work as Director of Photography on four films and have his work exhibited extensively, including at the National Museum of Australia. Curtis spent 18 months working as a filmmaker and youth ambassador on the Canning Stock Route Project where he worked to produce four short films which are part of the interactive touch screens element of this national and international touring exhibition. To further his professional development, Curtis has commenced a Bachelor of Culture, Communications and Media at Murdoch University. Curtis is currently working on the Stories Project and curating the multimedia content for a Stanford University Exhibition for which he is curator, consultant, educator, and a representative and advocate for the Martu people.
SIR CHARLES COURT INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AWARD
Kerry Stokes AC
Kerry Stokes’ chairmanship of the newly formed media company, Seven West Media, and Seven Group Holdings, caps four decades of his active involvement in the ownership and management of media companies in Australia.
Arriving from Victoria a little over 50 years ago, I think it’s fair to call him a true son of this State, building major businesses from Western Australia across Australia and into overseas markets.
Kerry acquired his first television station in the late 1960s – in Bunbury. He has built his media business from here in Perth and, today, Seven West Media, with The West Australian and the Seven Network, is Australia’s largest media company.
One of Seven West Media’s and Kerry’s most significant public undertakings is Telethon – raising millions of dollars a year to fund research into childhood illness. He is acknowledged as a major contributor to the Australian War Memorial, in particular through the acquisition and donation of Victoria Crosses.
Kerry Stokes is a widely recognised leader in public life including receiving a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2008. He holds a Life Membership of the Returned Services League of Australia; and is a Council Member of the Australian War Memorial.
