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From lawyers and sports stars to business moguls and community stalwarts, the full spectrum of the State’s infinitely diverse community is represented among the winners of the Western Australian of the Year Awards over their five-decade history.
Since 1973, West Australians have been acknowledged through the awards, which form part of the overall WA Day celebrations.
Formerly known as the Citizen of the Year awards, they celebrate how the State has been greatly enriched by the contributions of its people from all cultures and all walks of life with the ranks of previous winners including the likes of sports superstar Samantha Kerr business supremo Richard Goyder and political powerhouse Sir Charles Court.
But, in honour of the 50th anniversary of the awards, this year Celebrate WA has shaken the event up a little to acknowledge the “generations of extraordinary West Australians” with the publication of a special commemorative booklet, available in Saturday’s The West Australian, and a social media video series highlighting the contributions of our highest achievers.
Celebrate WA chairman Michael Anghie said it was wonderful to know the part the awards program had played in the past to acknowledge the “many worthy Western Australians, contributing to this State in its developmental years”.
“As community members living in this great State, may we be proud of the many achievements highlighted during the 50 years of the Western Australian of the Year Awards program, and enjoy our special day this year, wherever our plans may take us,” he said.
Chairman of the Channel 7 Telethon Trust Mr Goyder, the 2021 Western Australian of the Year, is an ambassador for the awards.
“As our State emerges from some of the most challenging years in its history, it is fitting that we take pause, and reflect on our achievements across five decades,” he said.
Due to COVID-19 there will be no awards ceremony this year, but it will be back to make its highly anticipated return in 2023.
However, the free WA Day Festival is back at Burswood Park from noon on Monday for all the family to enjoy.
