The 2024 Australians of the Year for NSW have been announced at a ceremony at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) last night, with the NSW Premier commending the recipients for extraordinary contributions to our state.
Premier Chris Minns congratulated melanoma treatment pioneers, Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO, the 2024 NSW Australians of the Year; and NSW’s 3 other inspirational recipients in the categories of NSW Senior Australian; Young Australian; and Local Hero.
The NSW finalists represent the very best of our state – their efforts have saved lives, supported families and vulnerable groups, and contributed to providing medical research which has played an essential part in providing world-class healthcare to NSW residents.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“These finalists represent the very best of what it means to be Australian. They are inspiring individuals who are devoted to helping others. Their pursuit of excellence is helping to transform NSW for the better – leading to big changes in medicine, science and community wellbeing.
“Behind every nomination is a legacy of service by one person, and an expression of gratitude by another. That so many people have taken the time to nominate their fellow citizens reflects the passion, civic spirit, and gratitude of the people of NSW.
“The Australian of the Year Awards isn’t only about recognition – winning an award opens a new and exciting chapter for our recipients.
“Award recipients will receive a platform to lead some of our most important conversations facing our communities. As well as being a great honour, this is their chance to take their message to a wider audience.
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I offer my sincerest congratulations to all the finalists and to the 4 category recipients. I applaud your efforts at making our state stronger, healthier and more inclusive.”
The 2024 NSW Australians of the Year
The NSW Australians of the Year are melanoma treatment pioneers, Professor Richard Scolyer AO and Professor Georgina Long AO. Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was fatal – but thanks to Richard and Georgina’s immunotherapy approach, which activates a patient’s own immune system, it has become a curable disease. The co-medical directors of Melanoma Institute Australia are sought-after media commentators and advocates for sun-safe behaviour and melanoma prevention. In June, when Richard, 56, was diagnosed with incurable grade-4 brain cancer, he and Georgina, 52, developed a series of world-first treatments based on their melanoma breakthroughs. Richard became the world’s first brain cancer patient to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. By undertaking an experimental treatment with risk of shortening his life, he has advanced the understanding of brain cancer and is benefiting future patients.
Aged 79, the NSW Senior Australian of the Year, John Ward, has devoted his life to providing outstanding medical care for disadvantaged people and ageing Australians – often at personal cost and with little recognition. As Director of the Prison Medical Service, he provided care to inmates – despite few resources – and advocated for prison reform to protect this vulnerable group. Focusing on geriatric medicine and aged care since the mid-1980s, he advocates for older Australians and the importance of social determinants of health such as social connection, exercise and accessible environments. His integrated, collaborative approach to dementia care for patients and their carers has made the NSW Hunter region a leader in this field. John also co-founded the Hunter Ageing Alliance, which calls for governments, businesses and organisations to better focus on older people’s needs. The organisation has 8 programs in planning or implementation stage to create age-friendly communities, tackle elder abuse and end social isolation of older people.
Researcher and founder of Bheem Health, Nikhil Autar is the NSW Young Australian of the Year. Diagnosed with leukaemia at 17, Nikhil has undergone chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, open-heart surgery and survives a life-threatening chronic illness. As a cancer survivor who understands the importance of access for people with disability, Nikhil created Knia Maps – ‘Know In Advance Maps’ – which has plotted accessibility at major Sydney hospitals, universities, public venues and transport, plus hundreds of small businesses. Nikhil, now 30, also founded Bheem Health, a social enterprise that provides low-cost medical devices for sick and vulnerable people. His first device, BheemUP, allows any bed to convert into a hospital bed. He’s now developing BheemSense, the world’s first sensor mat that tracks sleep phases and helps minimise pressure sores. The medical student has raised almost $500,000 in grant funding and conducted cancer research. A blogger, disability advocate and motivational speaker, Nikhil’s diverse and inclusive hiring practices have given migrants, people with disabilities and student engineers their first jobs.
Angus Olsen, childhood cancer illustrator and author is the NSW Local Hero. Angus’s daughter, Jane, was 2 when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. While he sat at Jane’s bedside during her weeks of chemotherapy and surgery, Angus began drawing about her procedures to make sense of it. The former Disney artist now creates artworks and books in simple language to help children better understand their cancer treatment. He’s produced more than 20 books, which have been translated into 24 languages. His books and artworks have been accessed by people in 102 countries. In 2020, Angus also made a series of comics that illustrated the similarities between lockdown and what children with cancer face all the time. Angus has teamed with several charities to create resources and raise funds for childhood cancer research. The 44-year-old makes no profit from his illustrations. Every one of his images can be accessed free from his website, I Draw Childhood Cancer, and social media pages.
NSW’s recipients will join those from other states and territories for the national awards ceremony in Canberra on Thursday, 25 January 2024.
Get more information on the Australian of the Year Awards website.
