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Monash community recognised in state 2009 Australian of the Year awards

December 2008

Professor Mick Dodson AM

Three members of the Monash community have won state and territory honours within the Australian of the Year awards.

Monash alumnus Professor Mick Dodson AM (BJuris 1974, LLB 1978) has been named 2009 ACT Australian of the Year. His brother, Indigenous leader Patrick Dodson, was named Western Australia’s Senior Australian of the Year 2009. Mr Dodson is a member of the advisory board of Monash University’s Castan Centre for Human Rights Law.

Band leader John Layton Hodgetts OAM (BA 1979) was announced as Tasmania’s Local Hero 2009, recognising his extensive contributions to music and his local community.

Professor Dodson, Mr Dodson and Mr Layton Hodgetts each become one of the eight finalists in their Australian of the Year award category. The awards are announced on the eve of Australia Day.

Academic and Indigenous issues advocate Mick Dodson is currently director of the ANU’s National Centre for Indigenous Studies. Professor Dodson received a Monash University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997/98.

Australian of the Year awards trophies, designed by Monash alumna Kristin McFarlane. Photo: David McArthur, Parallax Photography

In making the announcement, the ACT’s Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said that Professor Dodson was known nationally for his leadership.

“Professor Dodson has spent decades in pursuit of justice and reconciliation, through education and awareness-building and inclusive dialogue with all Australians,” Mr Stanhope said.

Other Monash alumni were state and territory finalists in the awards, including:

  • Dr Susan Alberti AO (HonLLD 2006) – finalist: Victoria’s Senior Australian of the Year
  • Dr Rhonda Galbally AO (BEc 1969, DipEd 1970) – finalist: Victoria’s Local Hero
  • Mr Will Macgregor (GradDipChildPS 2004) – finalist: Northern Territory’s Australian of the Year

The 2009 finalists were chosen from more than 3,300 nominations received from around Australia.

Monash University has a number of connections with the Australian of the Year awards. The trophies were designed by glass artist and Monash alumna Kristin McFarlane (BA(GraphDes) 1994, GradDipA(CeramicDes) 2003, MFA 2005). Professor Tim Flannery (MSc 1981) was Australian of the Year 2007 and Hugh Evans (BSc 2008, LLB(Hons) 2008) was 2004 Young Australian of the Year. In 2006, Toni Hoffman AM (BNurs(PostRed) 1998, MBioeth 2003) was named Australia’s Local Hero, recognising her role raising concerns about patient safety at the Bundaberg Hospital.

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