A SOCIAL justice campaigner has been awarded ACT Australian of the Year 2013 after dedicating his life to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians.

Formerly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom works to create opportunities for Indigenous voices to be heard and to build partnerships to improve their health, wellbeing and economic independence.

His landmark report calling for the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to be closed within a generation laid the groundwork for the Close the Gap campaign.

As Race Discrimination Commissioner today, Tom works to advance Australia as an inclusive society including many roles in the community relating to social inclusion, reconciliation, mental health and higher education.

Also at the ceremony, Dr Jim Peacock was awarded ACT Senior Australian of the Year 2013 for his work as an agricultural scientist.

As the head of the CSIRO Plant Industry division for 26 years, Jim long championed the great benefits of industry partnered science, establishing the CSIRO as one of the leading plant research institutes in the world.

His achievements in gene technology include the development of a low GI, high fibre variety of barley and, more recently, advances in plant hybrid vigour with significant implications for global food security.

Meanwhile, twenty-nine year old women’s advocate Julie McKay was awarded ACT Young Australian of the Year 2013, and dancer and mentor Francis Owusu was awarded ACT Local Hero 2013 for his use of dance to stimulate others to build their confidence and self-belief.

The ACT award recipients will join recipients from the other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards announced on 25 January 2013 in Canberra.

National Australia Day Council CEO Graham West says the ACT award recipients are all extraordinary people doing vital work in our community.

“The ACT award recipients come from varied backgrounds and areas of expertise but they have all been awarded for their dedication to making the world a better place,” West says.

The Commonwealth Bank has been the Major Sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for more than 30 years. Chief Executive Officer Ian Narev congratulated the ACT award recipients.

“The Commonwealth Bank is proud to acknowledge the ACT award recipients.  You are now national finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards and should be very proud of your achievement.

“While you have each been inspiring in your own way, you all share one common quality – you continue to selflessly improve the lives of others.  Congratulations to you all and enjoy your time in Canberra in January,” Narev says.

The Award ceremony also honoured the life of Rhonda Obad OAM – a finalist in the 2013 ACT Senior Australian of the Year category, who sadly died on Tuesday 20th November 2012 at the age of 64.  Rhonda dedicated her life to helping others and established the Bridge Back to Life Foundation to help young homeless men.

For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au.