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2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year finalists Left to right: Homa Forotan, |
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Winners of the 2008 Suncorp Queenslander of the Year awards were announced at a ceremony held at Parliament House on Sunday 1 June.
The 2008 award recipients are:
- Suncorp Queenslander of the Year, Graeme Wood
- Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year, Homa Forotan
The Suncorp Queenslander and Young Queenslander of the Year awards are the state's highest citizenship honour. The award finalists are listed below.
2008 finalists for the Suncorp Queenslander of the Year Award
Professor Paula Barrett
Professor Paula Barrett is internationally recognised as a pre-eminent scholar and groundbreaking researcher in child psychology and has a distinguished international reputation as a keynote presenter. Professor Barrett developed a scientifically validated, preventative, cognitive behavioural therapy treatment called FRIENDS for Life that can be used by teachers and psychologists with children from the age of four. FRIENDS aims to increase social, emotional and developmental intelligence to give children skills to cope with life challenges.
Hetty Johnston
Hetty Johnston is the Executive Director and Founder of Bravehearts Inc, an organisation whose purpose is to provide therapeutic, support and advocacy services to survivors of child sexual assault. Hetty is passionate about giving children a voice and her protection extends to all children from every walk of life. When there is a need, in whatever community, Hetty strives to deliver services.
Professor Roy Kimble
Professor Roy Kimble is a paediatric surgeon and burns specialist at the Royal Children's Hospital. He is also a researcher and teacher. He has treated thousands of children with burn injuries. He has pioneered research into burn healing and scarring and is always working to develop the optimum treatments for his patients. Professor Kimble is also a charity worker who donates his spare time and surgical expertise to cases from low income countries. He is always willing to take these cases on and finds ways to fit them into his hectic clinical schedule without fanfare.
Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO
Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO is an internationally recognised environmental expert and has played a pivotal role in creating awareness of the need for environmental sustainability in Queensland and around the world. Over the past 26 years, Emeritus Professor Lowe has lived out his passion as an environmental advocate through his role as Director of Griffith University's Science Policy Research Centre, Head of the School of Science and Director of the Commission of the Future. Emeritus Professor Lowe has been an active participant on a wide range of science education advisory boards, regular columnist for New Scientist Magazine, and has written numerous books and articles on science and environmental issues. He is currently an Emeritus Professor at Griffith University.
2008 finalists for the Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year
Otis Gowa
North Queensland athlete Otis Gowa recently recovered from treatment for cancer and many psychological and emotional challenges posed by a diagnosis of cancer. Recently Otis stunned Australian athletics by winning the national 100 metres final, less than two years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Otis is a key member of Athletics Australia's Jump Start to London Olympics 2012 squad and is an excellent role mode for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth of Far North Queensland.
Samantha Jockel
Samantha Jockel is the brains behind 'Biddy Bags', an inter-generational social enterprise that fuses craft, business and community to produce one-off hand made products. Her light bulb solution was to find a way to connect crafting seniors with some fashionistas who could provide advice with regards to what's hot and, in the process, increase social connections across generations, provide income for seniors and increase appreciation for their traditional hand craft skills. Printed on the inside pocket of every unique Biddy Bag is the story of its maker, thus connecting the purchaser with the creator.
Deborah Lovely
Deborah is recognised for her sporting abilities in athletics and weightlifting. She is currently the Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist for 75kg weightlifting and was an Olympian in Athens 2004. After an ankle injury which set Deborah back for six months, she has set new Australian records in weightlifting and is striving to become the first female weightlifter to represent Australia at two Olympic Games. While Deborah has been achieving these results on the sporting arena, she has also been a high achiever in her double law degree while striving towards selection for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Anton Szilasi
After completing a Diploma in Renewable Energies at TAFE, Anton Szilasi has volunteered his time to assist disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through education and the implementation of sustainable engineering projects. Anton's recent project was in Jharkhand, India where he worked with solar energy to ensure adequate and reliable power supplies to a health clinic. Anton fully funded this project from his university savings. Anton is living proof that a teenager can make tangible and lasting difference to others. Anton hopes that he can inspire others to do worthwhile work in the community.