The 16 finalists for the 2016 Victorian Australian of the Year Awards include an equality champion, a barrister, an Indigenous elder, community leaders, a LGBTI activist, a social enterprise founder, mental health leaders and an advocate for asylum seekers.
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The 2016 Victorian Award finalists are:
2016 VICTORIAN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Anna Brown - Equality activist (Middle Park)
- Professor George Jelinek - Leading medical professional (Carlton North)
- Julian McMahon - Barrister and human rights advocate (Alphington)
- David McNamara - Food relief champion (Yarraville)
2016 VICTORIAN SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Jack Charles - Indigenous elder and role model
- Father Kevin Dillon - Community advocate and supporter (Geelong)
- Peter Hitchener - Community advocate and supporter (Docklands)
- Father Bob Maguire - Community Leader (Albert Park)
2016 VICTORIAN YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Margot Fink - LGBTI activist (South Yarra)
- Robert Gillies - Social enterprise founder (Canterbury)
- Jessica Marshall - Mentor (Haddon)
- Lucy Richards - Mental health advocate (Armadale)
2016 VICTORIAN LOCAL HERO
- Mark Haughton - Mental health champion (Berwick)
- Kon Karapanagiotidis - Asylum seeker advocate (Avondale Heights)
- Melanie Raymond - Homeless advocate (Brunswick)
- Rebecca Scott - Social entrepreneur (Flemington)
The Victorian Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on Wednesday 28 October at Aerial – South Wharf, Melbourne.
The Victorian Award recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national Awards, which will be held in Canberra on January 25, 2016.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Mr Jeremy Lasek, said the Victorian finalists are among more than 120 great Australians being recognised as State and Territory finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards.
"The Victorian finalists are an inspirational group of Australians driven by their passions to make the world a better place for all," said Mr Lasek.
The Commonwealth Bank has been a proud sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for more than 36 years.
“The Australian of the Year Awards recognise people in our community for their remarkable contributions and achievements. We believe it is important to say thank you to people who make a positive difference, and inspire others to do the same,” said Mr Ian Narev, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank.