Happy Australia Day, everyone. I trust that you all celebrated the day in true Aussie style: whether you were cooking up a storm on the barbie, watching the cricket and/or tennis, listening to Magic Dirt at Big Day Out or heading down to the beach. Me - I went down to Royal Randwick to enjoy the races. Champagne was flowing, the frocks on the field were resplendent and everybody was "G'daying" left, right and centre. Elsewhere, Ian Frazer was being named Australian of the Year...
If any amongst you have seen the mockumentary series, We Can Be Heroes, you'll share my gripe about rewarding people who are perhaps not as worthy as some other candidates. Take Pat Mullins, a character on the show, who was 'nominated' for Australian of the Year because she was planning to roll from Perth to Uluru. Yes, I know what you're thinking. And yes, I did mean to say, 'roll.'
I was ecstatic when I heard that Ian Frazer had been named Australian of the Year. It wasn't because I had championed his cause for months. In fact, I really don't know much about him at all. I know he is a scientist who has successfully worked on a vaccine for cervical cancer. I was happy that he won in the same way that I was happy that Sir Gustav Nossal, Fiona Wood, and Ian Kiernan won. Because these people are truly exceptional in their fields, and there is no doubt that they deserved to win.
It annoyed me somewhat that Pat Rafter was chosen one year. And that Steve Waugh was our Australian of the Year not so long ago. Call me a snob, call me un-Australian, but I think that being named the Australian of the Year is bigger than snaring a sporting trophy.
So it makes me very happy when Australians who are really contributing something meaningful to a whole community, or even the whole nation, are recognised. It made me really happy this morning to know that somebody was being rewarded because of their research efforts. No doubt many of you will be involved in research at the uni, in your undergrad degrees and perhaps after that. It's reassuring to know that not all of the accolades are reserved for those who can swim the fastest. Universities are full of brilliant, tireless minds, in all kinds of fields. Most of these people will go unnoticed by the general public, but that's ok.
At least today, we can raise a glass to them.
Cheers!
Comments
I agree Lauren, but Pete and Steve have done a lot more for Australia then lifting trophies. Not only have they done a great deal of charity work (I know most sports people have, but still they have done a lot), but they have given kids everywhere positive role models, which I think is fantastic. In a nation that values sport so highly I think that we need more positive sporting role models (unlike Shane or Craig Gower, the boof head!), and these guys are really tops. I cant believe that you are paying out Pete too, I thought you would have loved him!
Posted by: Brendon | January 30, 2006 09:52 AM
Mmmm, rarely do I say it, but you have a point, Brendo. It seems I may have slightly overlooked these factors. I stand by my comments, though (like any good Aussie!) I too think Pat and Steve are good role models, but I think we need a bit of variety in that area! Not everyone is a sports nut...some kids just want to be molecular biologists!
And of course, you are right, I do love Pat. The white spot in the hair is very charismatic!
Loz
Posted by: Lauren | January 30, 2006 07:51 PM
I say Simone Warne for Australian of the Year!
Posted by: Ghassan | March 18, 2006 03:30 PM