Australian of the Year
NOT IN THE TEST This part is worth reading, but the citizenship test never asks about it.
Since 1960, the Australian of the Year Awards have celebrated the achievement and contribution of leading Australians. Anyone can nominate an Australian from any walk of life for an award.
Australians of the Year are people who have excelled in their work and served the nation. They inspire and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.
The awards include Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.
A list of the current and former recipients is available at www.australianoftheyear.org.au.
Dr James Muecke AM
Eye surgeon and blindness prevention pioneer 2020 Australian of the Year
Dr Muecke is a co-founder of Sight For All, a charity that aims to eliminate blindness through research, education, infrastructure and the training of colleagues in partner countries.
Dr Muecke believes blindness is a human rights issue and is working to create a world where everyone can see.
Professor Michelle Simmons (born 1967)
Professor in quantum physics 2018 Australian of the Year
Professor Simmons is a pioneer in atomic electronics and quantum computing. At the forefront of what she calls the “space race of the computing era”, Professor Simmons aims to build a quantum computer able to solve problems in minutes that would otherwise take thousands of years. Such a discovery has the potential to revolutionise drug design, weather forecasting, self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence and more.
In 2018, Professor Simmons was named as the Australian of the Year for her work and dedication to quantum information science. In 2019, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her “distinguished service to science education as a leader in quantum and atomic electronics and as a role model”.
From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet