Published Wednesday, 21 November, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Hats off for Lee Kernaghan - Queensland's Australian of the Year
Australian country music legend Lee Kernaghan is Queensland’s Australian of the Year.
Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement last night in Brisbane.
Kernaghan was a Queensland finalist along with Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, child psychologist Professor Paul Barratt and Special Olympics volunteer Anna-Louise Kassulke.
“Lee’s from the bush - he cares and he gives back,” said the Premier.
“His selfless efforts with the ‘Pass the Hat Around’ tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need.
“Lee’s drive and participation in the ‘Spirit of the Bush’ tours have also raised the spirits of farming families doing it tough in drought.
“Just like Slim Dusty his trademark black hat and smile mark him as a decent bloke making life happier for those he entertains. He’s a worthy winner.”
Queensland’s other Australian of the Year winners are:
-Senior Australian of the Year, drought relief helper Brian Egan
-Young Australian of the Year, orphans’ champion Lars Olsen, and the
-Local Hero is Victoria Point youth mentor, Michael Meehan.
The four winners (profiles attached) now represent Queensland at the Prime Minister’s Australian of the Year awards in Canberra on 25 January 2008.
Ms Bligh said that this year more than 3,000 Australians were nominated for contributing to the community and taking a leadership role in our society.
“That’s why I say congratulations to you all (16 finalists). Each and every one of you deserves recognition and respect for your contribution to Queensland,” she said at tonight’s announcement.
“Kernaghan now follows in the footsteps of some truly great Queenslanders among them those who have gone to be Australians of the Year. They include; Prof Ian Frazer, Pat Rafter, Cathy Freeman, Prof Peter Doherty and Senator Neville Bonner,” she said.
Each state and territory announces its Australian of the Year winners during November.
WINNERS’ PROFILES -
Lee Kernaghan is a towering figure in Australian country music and a fine ambassador for his craft. He gave his first public performance at the age of five, formed his first band when he was twelve, and released his first commercial single in 1983. His tally of Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. Lee has a passion for his music and his country and brings these together in his support for country communities across Australia. To many people he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia. In the past ten years his ‘Pass the Hat Around’ tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the ‘Spirit of the Bush’ tours raises spirits as well as money for farming families doing it tough in the drought.
Brian Egan knows exactly what drought-stricken families are going through – he lost his own farm in the 1990’s due to drought and personal depression. Five years ago he and his wife, Nerida, established Aussie Helpers to try to alleviate hardship and lift the spirits of families severely affected by drought. Tapping into the bush telegraph, Aussie Helpers finds farming families in desperate need of help. Brian and his band of committed volunteers have given away over 150 tonnes of groceries and over 600 tonnes of stock feed and assisted more than 1,000 families. Aussies Helpers raises funds through thrift shops in Dalby and Charleville and asking for donations to the annual Bush Christmas Appeal and the ongoing Drought Relief Appeal. Brian’s hampers help transform Christmas from a bleak and depressing time to one of joy and celebration, while other money goes towards farm repairs, dental care, and coastal holidays for outback families.
Lars Olsen set off in 2004 for a stint of helping orphans in Nepal and teaching English as a volunteer. What he found was uplifting – kids facing a life of hardship and destitution yet looking on life with simplicity, love, compassion, and wisdom at such an early age. But Lars was dismayed when he discovered that the small orphanage he worked in was a quagmire of corruption, and worse. After rescuing one of the children from terrible abuse, he set up the Forget Me Not Children’s Home, with strict governance in place so that all the funds raised are used directly for the kids’ welfare. The number of orphans under care quickly reached ten, with the hope that it will one day rise to thirty. Lars is the 2007 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year, a timely recognition of his tireless dedication to relieving poverty, hunger, and oppression from the world.
Michael Meehan has contributed to his community for twenty years as a volunteer helping children, youth, and veterans. He formed Special Kids Queensland, which helps adults with special needs, the elderly, the veterans’ community, and virtually anyone who needs special support. Michael organised the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service’s annual toy drive and opened a wheelchair and mobility aids bank that lends equipment free of charge to people who can’t afford it or aren’t entitled to government support. His Safe Party Practice program prepares youths for a safer Schoolies Week and he builds better relationships between youth and police, leading to young people voting for the Redlands Top Cop Award for the police officer who has shown professionalism and broken down barriers between them and police. This is just a glimpse of Michael’s commitment to his community, given freely despite the serious effects of chemical exposure as a young man.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement last night in Brisbane.
Kernaghan was a Queensland finalist along with Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, child psychologist Professor Paul Barratt and Special Olympics volunteer Anna-Louise Kassulke.
“Lee’s from the bush - he cares and he gives back,” said the Premier.
“His selfless efforts with the ‘Pass the Hat Around’ tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need.
“Lee’s drive and participation in the ‘Spirit of the Bush’ tours have also raised the spirits of farming families doing it tough in drought.
“Just like Slim Dusty his trademark black hat and smile mark him as a decent bloke making life happier for those he entertains. He’s a worthy winner.”
Queensland’s other Australian of the Year winners are:
-Senior Australian of the Year, drought relief helper Brian Egan
-Young Australian of the Year, orphans’ champion Lars Olsen, and the
-Local Hero is Victoria Point youth mentor, Michael Meehan.
The four winners (profiles attached) now represent Queensland at the Prime Minister’s Australian of the Year awards in Canberra on 25 January 2008.
Ms Bligh said that this year more than 3,000 Australians were nominated for contributing to the community and taking a leadership role in our society.
“That’s why I say congratulations to you all (16 finalists). Each and every one of you deserves recognition and respect for your contribution to Queensland,” she said at tonight’s announcement.
“Kernaghan now follows in the footsteps of some truly great Queenslanders among them those who have gone to be Australians of the Year. They include; Prof Ian Frazer, Pat Rafter, Cathy Freeman, Prof Peter Doherty and Senator Neville Bonner,” she said.
Each state and territory announces its Australian of the Year winners during November.
WINNERS’ PROFILES -
Lee Kernaghan is a towering figure in Australian country music and a fine ambassador for his craft. He gave his first public performance at the age of five, formed his first band when he was twelve, and released his first commercial single in 1983. His tally of Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. Lee has a passion for his music and his country and brings these together in his support for country communities across Australia. To many people he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia. In the past ten years his ‘Pass the Hat Around’ tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the ‘Spirit of the Bush’ tours raises spirits as well as money for farming families doing it tough in the drought.
Brian Egan knows exactly what drought-stricken families are going through – he lost his own farm in the 1990’s due to drought and personal depression. Five years ago he and his wife, Nerida, established Aussie Helpers to try to alleviate hardship and lift the spirits of families severely affected by drought. Tapping into the bush telegraph, Aussie Helpers finds farming families in desperate need of help. Brian and his band of committed volunteers have given away over 150 tonnes of groceries and over 600 tonnes of stock feed and assisted more than 1,000 families. Aussies Helpers raises funds through thrift shops in Dalby and Charleville and asking for donations to the annual Bush Christmas Appeal and the ongoing Drought Relief Appeal. Brian’s hampers help transform Christmas from a bleak and depressing time to one of joy and celebration, while other money goes towards farm repairs, dental care, and coastal holidays for outback families.
Lars Olsen set off in 2004 for a stint of helping orphans in Nepal and teaching English as a volunteer. What he found was uplifting – kids facing a life of hardship and destitution yet looking on life with simplicity, love, compassion, and wisdom at such an early age. But Lars was dismayed when he discovered that the small orphanage he worked in was a quagmire of corruption, and worse. After rescuing one of the children from terrible abuse, he set up the Forget Me Not Children’s Home, with strict governance in place so that all the funds raised are used directly for the kids’ welfare. The number of orphans under care quickly reached ten, with the hope that it will one day rise to thirty. Lars is the 2007 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year, a timely recognition of his tireless dedication to relieving poverty, hunger, and oppression from the world.
Michael Meehan has contributed to his community for twenty years as a volunteer helping children, youth, and veterans. He formed Special Kids Queensland, which helps adults with special needs, the elderly, the veterans’ community, and virtually anyone who needs special support. Michael organised the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service’s annual toy drive and opened a wheelchair and mobility aids bank that lends equipment free of charge to people who can’t afford it or aren’t entitled to government support. His Safe Party Practice program prepares youths for a safer Schoolies Week and he builds better relationships between youth and police, leading to young people voting for the Redlands Top Cop Award for the police officer who has shown professionalism and broken down barriers between them and police. This is just a glimpse of Michael’s commitment to his community, given freely despite the serious effects of chemical exposure as a young man.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500