Governor-General welcomes Australian of the Year 2012 finalists

24 January 2012

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce welcomed Australians of the Year – past and present – at Government House in Canberra.

This year’s finalists joined previous winners of the prestigious award, on the eve of the announcement of the 2012 Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Australia's Local Hero, and Australian of the Year by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP.

The finalists were joined by over 130 guests, including 2011 award recipients, Australian of the Year, Mr Simon McKeon, Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum AO, Young Australian of the Year, Miss Jessica Watson, and Australia’s Local Hero, Mr Donald Ritchie OAM.