Australian of the Year
| Australian of the Year | |
|---|---|
Alan Mackay-Sim, 2017 Australian of the Year
|
|
| Awarded for | Achievement and contribution of eminent citizens |
| Sponsored by | Commonwealth Bank |
| Date | January 25 |
| Location | Parliament House, Canberra |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Presented by | National Australia Day Council |
| First awarded | 1960 |
| Currently held by | Alan Mackay-Sim |
| Official website | australianoftheyear |
The Australian of the Year is an award conferred on an Australian citizen by the National Australia Day Council, a not-for-profit Australian Government–owned social enterprise.
Since 1960 the award for the Australian of the Year has been awarded as part of the celebrations surrounding Australia Day (26 January), during which time it has grown steadily in significance to become one of the nation's pre-eminent awards. The Australian of the Year announcement has become a notable part of the annual Australia Day celebrations. The official announcement has grown to become a public event, and the Canberra ceremony is televised and watched by thousands. The award offers an insight into Australian identity, reflecting the nation's evolving relationship with world, the role of sport in Australian culture, the impact of multiculturalism, and the special status of Australia's Indigenous people. It has also provoked spirited debate about the fields of endeavour that are most worthy of public recognition.
The award program promotes active citizenship and seeks to elevate certain people as role models. Three companion awards have been introduced, recognising both Young and Senior Australians, and proclaiming the efforts of those who work at a grass roots level through the "Australia's Local Hero" award.
The Australian of the Year award receives substantial sponsorship from private companies, including a relationship in excess of thirty years with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The close relationship with the Australian Government ensures that the award's profile and reputation is significantly enhanced.
During the 1960s, a network of state-based organisations worked hard to increase the profile of Australia Day. The most active and best resourced of these was the Victorian Australia Day Council, which had grown out of the Australian Natives' Association. In January 1960 the council's chairman, the unabashed patriot Sir Norman Martin, announced the introduction of a new annual award for the 'Australian of the Year.' He explained that Australia Day was a fitting occasion on which to give proper recognition to a leading citizen, whose contribution to the nation's culture, economy, sciences or arts was particularly outstanding.
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