2024 Australians of the Year for Western Australia announced
The 2024 Australian of the Year Award recipients for Western Australia were announced at a ceremony at Government House in Perth last night (Thursday 2 November).
The evening began with an al fresco welcome reception, where all guests gathered to meet, take photos and congratulate all 16 WA finalists.
Guests then gathered in the Government House Ballroom, where the evening’s emcee, Nadia Mitsopoulos, commenced the Awards Ceremony by inviting Barry Winmar to deliver the Welcome to Country, followed by a rendition of the Australian National Anthem by Tahlia and Ben Marvin.
His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM officially welcomed everyone to Government House, followed by words from Auspire – Australia Day Council WA Chair, Bradley Woods.
The four finalists in each category were then called to the stage to receive their certificates and take photos with the Governor, before he announced the recipient.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, closed proceedings by congratulating the finalists and recipients on their contributions, reflecting on each of the recipients’ immediate responses and words following the announcement.
The WA Awards Ceremony was live streamed on australianoftheyear.org.au. Watch the recording here.
The four Western Australian recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2024 from 4.30pm AWST on ABC and iview.
View photos from the night here.
The 2024 Australians of the Year for Western Australia are:
WA 2024 Australian of the Year – Mechelle Turvey
In 2022, Mechelle Turvey’s 15-year-old son, Cassius Turvey, was assaulted coming home from school. Tragically, the Noongar Yamatji schoolboy died of his injuries 10 days later.
Cassius’ death sparked a national day of action across Australia, with rallies and vigils to express grief, anger, hurt and solidarity with his loved ones. Mechelle, still grieving the recent death of her husband Sam, led the march in Perth. She gave a powerful speech about her son, calling for calm and non-violence – and the need for proper care for victims of crime and their families.
In 2023, Mechelle began utilising her lived experiences by training Western Australia Police Force recruits in dealing with victims of crime with empathy and support.
Through her life, 57-year-old Mechelle has volunteered to support her community, including helping people in prison. She has donated much of the money raised for Cassius to youth organisations. Her courage, care and compassion for others are exemplary.
WA 2024 Senior Australian of the Year – Charlie Bass
When Charlie Bass founded the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI) in 2015, he became a mentor for hundreds of start-ups and a powerful supporter of innovation and sustainability in Western Australia.
To date, CERI has provided over 600 aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and support needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses – including raising over $7.5 million in funds. CERI also facilitates research commercialisation, particularly in medical technology and biotech.
Charlie worked in Western Australia’s mining industries – very successfully – for decades. But he knows the state can’t rely on its resources forever. CERI reflects Charlie’s desire to see greater economic diversification in Western Australia. Through speaking engagements and CERI, 74-year-old Charlie advocates for the creation of high-knowledge, high-value, export-oriented businesses for the long-term sustainable growth of the state.
A notable philanthropist, Charlie created the Bass Family Foundation in 2006 to help provide disadvantaged children with a quality education.
WA 2024 Young Australian of the Year – Kate Kirwin
Kate Kirwin founded She Codes Australia in 2015 with the aim of teaching women coding skills, helping them enter technical careers and building a likeminded community.
As a country girl, 30-year-old Kate strongly believes in empowering women from some of Australia’s most remote regions. So far, more than 6000 women from all over the country have learned to code through She Codes.
Kate’s work is closing the gender gap in tech, where only 30 per cent of employees are women. She has sourced more than $1 million from government and industry to support women in STEM.
Kate has also contributed to the growth of Spacecubed, a start-up hub in Perth, and since 2014 has played a pivotal role in building communities and coordinating programs such as Plus Eight and Startup Weekend. Her achievements have been recognised with the Business News 40 Under 40 Award and The West Australian’s Rising Star Award.
WA 2024 Local Hero – Nick Hudson
Nick Hudson and his friends had started a push-up challenge in 2017 to get fit and motivate each other. In 2018, Nick extended the challenge to more friends to raise awareness and funds for mental health. Then Nick experienced depression himself following open heart surgery. While recovering, he focused on making The Push-Up Challenge a public event.
Fast forward to 2023 and The Push-Up Challenge has become an annual event. Individuals and teams across Australia aim to meet set push-up targets, learn facts about mental health and, if they choose, raise funds for mental health charities. To date the event has raised $40 million.
In 2023 alone, over 200,000 participants completed 315 million push-ups, making them fitter, raising $14.6 million for mental health and getting people talking and thinking about mental health.
Now an inspiring public speaker and aged 46, ‘Chief of Push-ups’ Nick was awarded Mental Health Advocate of the Year WA 2021.
Images courtesy of Salty Dingo