WA Parks and WA People

WA Parks Foundation

The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC CVO, Mr Richard Simpson and Ms Melanie Wilshin.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson welcomed members of the WA Parks Foundation, the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC CVO, Chair, Ms Melanie Wilshin, General Manager WA Parks Foundation and Mr Richard Simpson, Board Member and Chair of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

The trio briefed the Governor on the WA Parks Foundation activities and discussed a potential event collaboration.

The WA Parks Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation with a mission is to ensure parks are conserved, understood and cared for.

WA Australian of the Year

The WA Australian of the Year awardees for 2023 were announced in the Government House Ballroom this evening.

Four winners were announced across the categories of;

• WA Australian of the Year
• WA Senior Australian of the Year
• WA Young Australian of the Year
• WA Australia’s Local Hero

“Each of tonight’s 16 nominees – and every finalist and winner that has come before them – have made it to this point not because they’ve planned to, but because they deserve to. They’re not thinking about awards when they take that first step, or make that first decision to act on something they believe in. They’re not thinking about accolades when they push that extra mile to achieve something more in their professions or in their neighbourhoods…something that will change the lives of those in this country and around the globe. They’re not thinking about recognition when they extend a helping hand to those who need it most, or step up to fight for those who don’t have a voice.

The people who are honoured as part of these prestigious awards don’t even think of themselves as inspiring or extraordinary, or the outstanding contributors we know them to be – and that’s what makes them, and everything they do, and everything they achieve – so very special.”

Western Australia Australian of the Year awardees © Salty Dingo 2022

Congratulations to:

• WA Australian of the Year, Professor Samar Aoun
• WA Young Australian of the Year, Peter Bol
• WA Senior Australian of the Year, Theresa Kwok
• WA Local Hero, Jimmy Murphy

The recipients will go on to the finals in Canberra to be considered for the Australian of the Year awards.

Read more about the awardees and the awards here.

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