Previous Winner Biographies

Arts and Culture Award

Dean Alston

An artist and social commentator, Dean has been a cartoonist at The West Australian for 25 years and in this time has been awarded every major journalism award for cartoonists in Australia, including the coveted national Walkley Award for Australia’s Best Cartoon. His satirical cartoons are followed closely by readers of The West Australian as the key source of artistic commentary on the news of the day, and he is the most highly recognised cartoonist in the State. He has acted as mentor to two generations of artists at The West Australian, has had several books featuring his cartoons published, and his work is proudly displayed on walls around the State from Terrace boardrooms to worksite kitchens in the Pilbara.

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 Letters in France.

Community Award

Judge Denis Reynolds

As President of the Children’s Court of Western Australia since 2004, Judge Reynolds has been pivotal in the restoration and advancement of the court whilst also acting as a strong campaigner for greater resources in the juvenile justice system as a way to reduce the number of children in detention. He introduced a practice where he refused to hear a matter until the child’s parent or guardian were present, engaging parents in child justice matters. Judge Reynolds has also been an unrelenting advocate for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and is passionate about the need to ensure a portion of Western Australia’s economic dividend is invested in programs that help prevent the passage of disadvantaged youth into formal detention. Prior to his appointment as President of the Children’s Court, he was President of the Magistrates’ Society (1990-1997) and is a former Chairman of the West Australian Football League Tribunal.

George Jones AM

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

Business and Professions Award

From 2012, nominations for the Industry and Commerce and Professions will be considered under the Business and Professions Category.

Professor William Carroll

One of Australia’s most prominent neurologists, Professor Carroll has dedicated more than 15 years of his life to raising the profile of Multiple Sclerosis research, both locally and nationally, through initiatives created under his leadership as Chair of the MS Research Australia’s (MSRA) scientific committees. These initiatives include the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, MSRA Brain Bank, Clinical Trials Network and the concept of Platform projects, all of which have contributed significantly to MS research in Australia. William has been an active member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA Board for 16 years and has headed the scientific committees for the last 12. Professor Carroll has played a critical role in establishing the Pan-Asian Committee on Treatment and Research of Multiple Sclerosis which has been instrumental in raising awareness of the disease throughout Asia. In 2011 he was awarded the prominent John Studdy Award, in recognition of outstanding, consistent and selfless provision of meritorious service to those with MS. His drive to find a cure for MS and improve the management of this disease benefits researchers of MS, clinicians working with MS patients, carers for those with MS and MS patients.

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

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

Indigenous Award

Professor Kim Scott

A member of the Noongar community, Kim is internationally recognised as one of Australia’s most awarded authors and has had poetry and short stories published in a number of anthologies. His writing is valued for the discussion it stimulates in the wider community, and for helping to propel Noongar culture into the present in a dynamic way. Kim has also used writing and research to help return oral histories and archival language material to communities and is deeply involved in language recovery projects, returning language material to its home community. He is a winner of a slew of influential literary awards including the Western Australian Premier's Book Award (1999, 2010), Miles Franklin Literary Award (2000, 2011), Kate Challis RAKA Award (2001, 2011), ALS Gold Medal (2011), Victorian Premiers Prize for Literature (2011), Victorian Premiers Prize for Fiction (2011) and the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book – South East Asia and Pacific (2011). Kim is dedicated to sharing his love of the creative arts and has recently accepted a position as Professor of Writing in the School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts at Curtin University where he will be working in Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies and the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute.

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.

Sport Award

Adam Gilchrist AM

A highly commended cricketer, Adam Gilchrist has won a variety of awards as a sportsman. Adam was one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year (2002) and Australia's One-Day International Player of the Year (2003, 2004). He was awarded the Allan Border Medal in 2003 and was the only Australian cricketer named in "Richie Benaud's Greatest XI" (2004) to be playing at the time. He was selected in the International Cricket Council World XI for the charity series against the Asian Cricket Council Asian XI (2004, 2005) and was named as wicketkeeper and opening batsman in Australia's “greatest ever” One Day International team. In a poll of over 10,000 people conducted by Cricinfo in 2007, Adam was voted the ninth greatest all-rounder of the last 100 years, and a panel of prominent cricket writers selected him in Australia’s all-time best XI for Cricinfo. In addition to his cricketing career, Adam has been involved in charitable and community work. He has been the Patron for Ronald MacDonald House in Western Australia for a decade and in that time has been actively involved in fundraising initiatives. He has also been an Ambassador for both World Vision and Canteen, and a Patron for the Learning for a Better World Trust, which raises funds for education and cricket playing expenses of young cricketers in developing countries. In addition, Adam is Chair of the National Australia Day Council and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004.

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.

Youth Award

From 2012, nominations for the Youth and Youth Arts will be considered under the Youth Category.

Holly Ransom

At just 22 years of age, Holly has been involved in a number of leadership roles within a variety of not-for-profit organisations that has seen her work in the Indigenous communities of Jigalong to the slums of Kenya, as well as working in areas of community need ranging from homelessness and mental health to women’s rights and educational disadvantage. Holly is studying Law and Economics full-time at The University of Western Australia, and is also the incoming President of the Rotary of Crawley and an opinion piece contributor with The West Australian. Holly runs two social enterprises: a consulting and public speaking business and a leadership development company. In addition, she is a conference keynote speaker and in 2011 was invited to be a guest speaker at the Governor General's International Women's Day 100th Anniversary Celebrations. A finalist for WA Citizen of the Year Youth Award (2010, 2011), Holly serves as a Non-Executive Director on a number of boards, including GivingWest and Global Voices. In 2008, Holly was the youngest Australian selected for the 2020 Summit in Canberra. Since then, she has represented Australia in America, Japan, Switzerland, Malaysia and Singapore, the highlights of which included drafting and presenting a Peace Charter to the Dalai Lama and a series of economic policy recommendations to the World Trade Organisation. In 2012, Holly was named WA Youth Volunteer of the Year as part of National Volunteer Week celebrations.

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.