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This exhibition paid tribute to the eight extraordinary state and territory recipients of the 2019 Australian of the Year Awards, including national winners Richard Harris and Craig Challen.

The exhibition featured personal objects chosen by the finalists for their significance and ability to communicate something special about their lives and experiences.

Craig Challen Cave diver and rescuer, Western Australia, 2019 Australian of the Year
Richard Harris Anaesthetist and cave diver, South Australia, 2019 Australian of the Year
Virginia Haussegger Journalist and women’s advocate, Australian Capital Territory, 2019 Australian of the Year
Kurt Fearnley Athlete and disability spokesperson, New South Wales, 2019 Australian of the Year
Michael Long AFL champion and community leader, Northern Territory, 2019 Australian of the Year
Jon Rouse Child exploitation investigator, Queensland, 2019 Australian of the Year
Bernadette Black Advocate for teenage parents, Tasmania, 2019 Australian of the Year
Mark Sullivan Developer of affordable medicines, Victoria, 2019 Australian of the Year

Explore the objects

The National Museum uses objects to tell stories, to connect with others and make us think. We asked the Australian of the Year recipients from each state and territory to choose an object of personal significance to go display. Each object tells us something about their lives, aspirations and experiences.

A hardbound book stands beside two rope knots. - click to view larger image
The Ashley Book of Knots and sample knots, on loan from Craig Challen, cave diver and rescuer, Western Australia, 2019 Australian of the Year
A pair of black, rubber 'reef' style sandals with white hibiscus print on the straps. - click to view larger image
Sandals donated by Michael Long, AFL champion and community leader, Northern Territory, 2019 Australian of the Year. National Museum of Australia
Book standing beside the open pages of a typed manuscript. - click to view larger image
Brave Little Bear manuscript and book, on loan from Bernadette Black, supporter of teenage parents, Tasmania, 2019 Australian of the Year
Scuba diving regular piece made of metal and rubber, in front of a framed certificate with red wax seal. - click to view larger image
SCUBAPRO MK3 regulator and College of Anaesthetists certificate, on loan from Richard Harris, anaesthetist and cave diver, South Australia, 2019 Australian of the Year
Statue of a boy in a loin cloth leading a man wearing robes. The boy holds a stick in his right hand. The other end of the stick is held by the man. - click to view larger image
Gift of Sight sculpture, about 1994, by RT Wallen, on loan from Professor Hugh Taylor, chosen by Mark Sullivan, developer of affordable medicines, Victoria, 2019 Australian of the Year
Two 'Harness' brand black cycling gloves beside a black cycling helmet with green trim. - click to view larger image
Racing helmet and gloves, on loan from Kurt Fearnley, athlete and disability spokesperson, New South Wales, 2019 Australian of the Year
A bright pink, knitted beanie. - click to view larger image
Pussyhat, on loan from Virginia Haussegger, journalist and women’s advocate, Australian Capital Territory, 2019 Australian of the Year
A small black glass scorpion with reared tail beside circular path showing a scorpion and the words 'Task Force Argos Internet Child Exploitation/Leave no stone unturned'. - click to view larger image
Glass scorpion and patch, on loan from Jon Rouse, child exploitation investigator, Queensland, 2019 Australian of the Year

Supporters

The 2019 Australian of the Year exhibition was developed by the National Museum of Australia in collaboration with the National Australia Day Council. Portrait images courtesy National Australia Day Council.

The National Australia Day Council would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support of the Australian of the Year Awards program:

This exhibition has been on show at:

  • National Museum of Australia, Canberra, 13 December 2018 to 17 February 2019
  • Shellharbour City Museum, New South Wales, 10 April to 27 May 2019
  • Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4 July to 14 August 2019
  • Casuarina Library, Darwin, Northern Territory, 21 August to 15 September 2019
  • Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre, Katherine, Northern Territory, 20 September to 26 October 2019

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