Mental health campaigner wins Australian of the Year

26 January 2010 | 07:10:00 AM | Source: SBS staff and agencies

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Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry has been named Australian of the Year in 2010.

Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry has been named Australian of the Year in 2010.

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Mr McGorry thinks it's a sign of changing times that he's been chosing as the state's candidate for Australian of the Year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid tribute to the profound effect of Professor McGorry's work, and thanked him for raising awareness of the major issue.

"The incredible influence of his work, the number of young Australians and their families whose lives have been improved, and the value of his contribution to the nation cannot ever fully be measured" Mr Rudd said.

"With this award, we recognise that we have in Professor McGorry a leader whose drive, compassion, and commitment to understanding and treating youth mental illness has helped shaped not only lives, but our national approach to mental health intervention, prevention and treatment".

"He is truly a worthy recipient, and I congratulate him on being named Australian of the Year 2010 this evening".

Mr McGorry, 57, is executive director of Melbourne's Orygen Youth Health, which has pioneered a youth-focused approach to treating mental health and is Australia's largest mental health research centre.

"People are finally realising mental health is one of the hidden .. really big ticket public health items and it's been neglected seriously until just about now," Professor McGorry told AAP.

Western Australia' Trooper Mark Donaldson VC was named Young Australian of the Year 2010 while South Australian cook and restaurateur Maggie Beer was named Senior Australian of the Year.

Meanwhile  NSW food rescuer Ronni Kahn was named as Australia's Local Hero.

The Prime Minister presented each recipient with a handmade glass award and praised their achievements.

"For the past 50 years, the Australian of the Year Awards program has honoured those among us who inspire us, and do us proud as a nation" said the Prime Minister

"This year I am again awed by the achievements and contributions of the award recipients, who demonstrate that greatness comes in many forms and all Australians have the potential for greatness within us".

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Your Comments

26 Jan 2010 11:09 AEST

m fritz

From: fritz65@gmail.com

whats the answer

So whats the answer Mr McMcoory let people come at will,let the people smugglers decide who comes to Australia and the australian tax payer pay for their medical care and accommadtion, just like they pay your salary and generous superannuation. There have been to many professors made australian of the year, and you Mr McCorry are one of the most unworthy of them all. I can think of someone much more worthy for australian of the year like the ceo of leighton.

Agree (3 people agree)
Disagree (5 people disagree)
 

26 Jan 2010 9:29 AEST

Graeme Burns

From: North Fremantle

Mr.

This award will be a wonderful step forward in the recognition that we have to start caring for each other in a humane way . Mental illness is the end product of a punitive society . Kindness is not a weakness.

Agree (5 people agree)
Disagree (0 people disagree)
 

26 Jan 2010 8:33 AEST

Suzanne Marshall

From: suem47@tpg.com.au

Australian of the Year

Why don't they give Pastor Graham Long of the Wayside Chapel Australian of the year. He does far better work than any of the idiots they give it to. He works day and night for the homeless and makes sure they are fed and clothed and has been battling hard to get the Wayside Chapel rebuilt while Rudd gives millions to overseas. They have no desire to find a cure for cancer get to much money out of publicity stunts selling cupcakes etc.

Agree (2 people agree)
Disagree (2 people disagree)
 

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