Got nothing against Ita, but surely there is someone who’s done something more worthwhile
in the past year? Just looking at the winners you’d have to think that some “political” decisions were made in this case.
Unfortunately there was no category for self opinionated old fart of the year or I’d have had a decent shot.

Yeah, supposedly she has been doing good work in health. All good, it is great that she is out there doing that but it is like we are so caught up in the Australian of the Year being someone we know ie: quasi celebrity. I thought the best of recent years were the lady from WA (I think) who grafts skin and Prof McGorry.

Surely there was someone out there doing way more work than Ita. Don’t get me started on Nova Peris Hipbone!!!

Nice lady. Congrats to her, she deserves it.

I am sure she is lovely. They should have a celebrity section where the mickey mouse awards get handed out. The PM can still get photo ops with their heroes and then give recognition to real ‘unsung’ heroes. I would seriously like to see the lady who has worked in the laundry of a nursing home for 40 years and sells fundraising raffle tickets to help get the residents funds for a new TV.

Again, I have no beef whatsoever with the grat work Ita is doing, it is the syncophant Gillard I take issue with.

Got nothing against Ita, but surely there is someone who’s done something more worthwhile
in the past year? Just looking at the winners you’d have to think that some “political” decisions were made in this case.
Unfortunately there was no category for self opinionated old fart of the year or I’d have had a decent shot.

One of the other nominee’s was a cancer researcher, medical profession again, but not a celebrity,

We need inspiring people as Aussies of the Year, not celebrities,

there where only 3 people in it
ita, me and Driveforshow

Celebrities and cricket captains are apparently much better Australians than medical researchers and people who lead organisations that support people who can’t support themselves.

Ita’s tongue never touches her lips!

She could always be my godmother.

there where only 3 people in it
ita, me and Driveforshow

If i was to start smoking
i think they would be oh i don’t know..
Vanilla flavored i reckon

Call the cops.

She could always be my godmother.

NAGA-free in 013.

Smoldy. Yeah.

Is your imagination strong?

She could always be my godmother.

NAGA-free in 013.

Smoldy. Yeah.

Is your imagination strong?

John Huggan on the passing of Seve – “Sadly for all who love golf as the art form it is meant to be and not the science it has become, we may never see his like again.”

not as strong as his hips

there where only 3 people in it
ita, me and Driveforshow

If i was to start smoking
i think they would be oh i don’t know..
Vanilla flavored i reckon

Call the cops.

Franciieeeeeeeeee

I have no argument with this choice. There are plenty of people out there that deserve & could have been awarded this. IMO Ita Buttrose is one of many.Look at the work that she has put into different projects over many years.
Surely this is a better choice than some in the Past, IE Swimmers & Tennis players to suggest a couple.
The Captains choice for the NT senate Team however is a totally different story. & a Sad misjudgement , politically speaking I reckon. But then Julia tends to make a few Howlers.

ita is better suited to being the king of Moomba

Actually I also thought it was an ordinary choice at first, as most recall Ita as the editor of the WW magazine. But it seems she’s done a lot since. Most of that is un-noticed by the majority

I’m just not that keen on the sportmen/women being awarded. They get paid to play a certain game they love. In some case some of the sports people are hardly inspiring due to their behaviour out of the sports arena

No problems with Ita. At least it’s not a sports player or hack celebrity. Already Ita has signalled her intention to advance the rights of the elderly. Good on her.

I’d like to take her out for dinner….

They’re stupid awards that should be canned.

They’re stupid awards that should be canned.

They would be better if they were presented by the Governor General instead of a publicity seeking politician.

there where only 3 people in it
ita, me and Driveforshow

If i was to start smoking
i think they would be oh i don’t know..
Vanilla flavored i reckon

Call the cops.

Franciieeeeeeeeee

If i was to start smoking
i think they would be oh i don’t know..
Vanilla flavored i reckon

Hellloooooooo

They’re stupid awards that should be canned.

They would be better if they were presented by the Governor General instead of a publicity seeking politician.

The artist formerly known as Hermit from Hermit Park.
Slightly wounded and living in Forest Gardens near Cairns.

The Australian of the Year is selected by the National Australia Day Council which is part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It makes sense that it is presented by the Prime Minister. The Australian of the Year is not an “honour” like others such as The Order of Australia medal. All of these “honours” are infact awarded/presented by the Governer General.

As for Ita being awarded, congratulations to her. She is a worthy recipient.

They’re stupid awards that should be canned.

They would be better if they were presented by the Governor General instead of a publicity seeking politician.

The artist formerly known as Hermit from Hermit Park.
Slightly wounded and living in Forest Gardens near Cairns.

The Australian of the Year is selected by the National Australia Day Council which is part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It makes sense that it is presented by the Prime Minister. The Australian of the Year is not an “honour” like others such as The Order of Australia medal. All of these “honours” are infact awarded/presented by the Governer General.

As for Ita being awarded, congratulations to her. She is a worthy recipient.

As a cricketer the Coverdrive was the hardest shot to master. As a golfer, I can achieve it with frustrating regularity.

Didn’t question her worth.Just believe that there may have been others more worthy.She’s well known and likeable ,which won’t hurt.Let’s hope she does some good with it.

Didn’t question her worth.Just believe that there may have been others more worthy.She’s well known and likeable ,which won’t hurt.Let’s hope she does some good with it.

No I wasn’t questioning her worth either simonsez, more responding as to why the PM gives the award and not the GG. As for her winning it, the criteria for the award is for “good stuff done in the last year” and Ita was certainly busy. The award statement said “Since 2011 she has been National President of Alzheimer’s Australia and is also Vice President Emeritus of Arthritis Australia. She uses her national profile to raise awareness of breast cancer, HIV/AIDS and prostate cancer.” She may not have cured cancer, but she may have helped raise enough money to help some doctors/scientists get ever so closer to finding the cure.

The Australian of the Year is selected by the National Australia Day Council which is part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It makes sense that it is presented by the Prime Minister.

In that case the awards should be scrapped or the process changed to protect the public from exploitation of the awards by politicians.

As for Ita Buttrose, I am not familiar with her recent work. Reading above indicates that it is for charitable work which is always commendable.

As others have said, however, I would rather the award go to one of the thousands upon thousands of people who labour anonymously and often as unpaid volunteers to promote a worthy cause over an extended period of time (often decades). Those who have already have a public profile or who have already received monetary reward rank well down the list in my book.