Although Australian leaders have been getting "Brodericked" for years, former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick says she hasn't finished her work.
The 2016 NSW Australian of the Year will return to her gender equality mission following Australia Day, having taken a break when she stepped down as commissioner in September last year.
"It's work that feeds my soul, makes my heart sing," she told AAP.
The social change innovator has begun working on increasing women's representation across the Australian Federal Police, where less than 35 per cent of its members are women and less than 20 per cent are in leadership roles or uniformed positions.
"I'm really excited about that work, it builds off my experience with the military."
In her most notable work as commissioner for eight years, Ms Broderick led a wide-ranging review into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force after the Skype sex scandal.
Ms Broderick, who has set up social media accounts under the moniker "getbrodericked", has also been a key advocate for Australia's paid parental leave scheme and worked extensively with the business sector to tackle sex discrimination in the workplace.
The 55-year-old has emphasised the importance of recruiting men through projects like the Male Champions of Change.
"It's not about men trying to save us, it's about men stepping up and working as equal partners," she said.
The most surprising parts of her work have been watching certain men jump on board her mission, especially former army chief Lieutenant General David Lindsay Morrison, who has been named the 2016 ACT Australian of the Year.
"To see where he's come from, that was a huge surprise."
The motivation stems from the belief gender equality is a "birthright".
"Why would I accept anything else?"
The national awards will be announced on January 25 in Canberra.
AAP gn/tdw/nb
NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Elizabeth Broderick. Former sex discrimination commissioner.
SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Gordian Fulde. St Vincent's emergency department director who has campaigned against drug and alcohol-fuelled violence.
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Melissa Abu-Gazaleh. Young men's health advocate and founder of the Top Blokes Foundation.
AUSTRALIA'S LOCAL HERO
Catherine Keenan. Co-founder of the Sydney Story Factory which helps thousands of primary and high school students express themselves through writing and storytelling.
