The finalists for the 2016 NSW Australian of the Year Awards include a social change innovator, heart surgeon, artist, palliative care crusader, youth advocate, refugee champion and health activist.
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The 2016 NSW Award finalists are:
2016 NSW AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Elizabeth Broderick - Social change innovator (Sydney)
- Patricia Garcia - Humanitarian (Sydney)
- Dr Ian Nicholson - Heart surgeon (Russell Lea)
- Ben Quilty - Artist (Southern Highlands)
2016 NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Dr Jim Frazier OAM ACS - Cinematographer and inventor (Bootawa)
- Professor Gordian Fulde - Doctor (Bondi)
- Dr Yvonne McMaster OAM - Palliative care crusader (Wahroonga)
- Terry O’Connell OAM - Restorative justice pioneer (Springwood)
2016 NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
- Melissa Abu-Gazaleh - Youth advocate (Kanahooka)
- Nathan Basha - Disability advocate (Huntleys Cove)
- Liam Knight - Anti-violence advocate (Frenchs Forest)
- Laura O’Reilly and Jordan O'Reilly - Social entrepreneurs (Forestville)
2016 NSW LOCAL HERO
- Lana and Roger Borg - Community helpers (Emu Plains)
- Dr Anne Bunde-Birouste - Refugee champion (Wahroonga)
- Lucy Haslam - Health activist (Tamworth)
- Dr Catherine Keenan - Youth educator (Sydney)
NSW Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on Monday 16 November at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
NSW Award recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national Awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2016.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Mr Jeremy Lasek, said the NSW finalists are among more than 120 great Australians being recognised as State and Territory finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards.
"The NSW finalists are an extraordinary group of Australians achieving amazing social change by following their passions – we are very proud of all of them," said Mr Lasek.
The Commonwealth Bank has been a proud sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for more than 36 years.
“The Australian of the Year Awards recognise people in our community for their remarkable contributions and achievements. We believe it is important to say thank you to people who make a positive difference, and inspire others to do the same,” Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank, Ian Narev, said.