Western Australia welcomes 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott
On Thursday 18th August, 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, addressed over 500 guests discussing his journey as a champion sportsman to now a disability advocate since receiving the nation’s highest honour and recognition in the Australian of the Year Awards.
At the sold-out event at Crown Perth, 6PR Perth Breakfast host and soon to be 9News Perth Director of News, Gareth Parker led a dynamic and highly entertaining interview with Dylan, covering diverse subjects including the intense two days that saw him announced as Australian of the Year whilst competing in his last ever Grand Slam tennis final. He then spoke about life post-tennis, his other passions and his future plans.
Caption: The Hon. Don Punch Minister for Disabilities and Department of Communities guests, Barry Winmar delivering his Welcome to Country, WA’s 2022 Australians of the Year with Val Dempsey and Dylan Alcott.
The Grand Ballroom was buzzing with energy, and guests including the WA 2022 Australian of the Year recipients along with Senior Australian of the Year Val Dempsey, were thrilled to then be given the opportunity to ask the Golden Slam champion their burning questions. Topics ranged from breaking down stereotypes, dealing with adversity and being authentic. Dylan also spoke of his Dylan Alcott Foundation and his vision to bring to WA Ability Fest, a music festival and first of its kind globally, with hosting venues that have specifically designed infrastructure to cater to people of all levels of ability.
Immediately preceding the main event at Crown’s Crystal Club Lounge, Auspire hosted Dylan and other special guests including the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Chris Dawson APM and Mrs Dawson.
At the main event, guests were Welcomed to Country by Barry Winmar, heard from Auspire Chairman, Bradley Woods, the Honourable Don Punch MLA, Minister for Disability Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Patrick Gorman, Member for Perth.
Caption: Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Chris Dawson with Dylan Alcott, members of the audience asking questions, Auspire Chairman Bradley Woods, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, Governor Chris Dawson, Auspire CEO Morgen Lewis.
Platinum Partner, Department of Communities provided five very special young people the opportunity to attend with their carers to meet their hero Dylan Alcott. It was also a terrific opportunity to share with the broader community the State Disability and Inclusion Strategy – A Western Australia for Everyone. The many corporate and not-for profit organisations who demonstrated their focus on inclusion by booking multiple tables at the event included Channel 9Perth, Coles, Curtin University, Hawaiian, Leadership WA, Mosaic, Special Olympics Australia and Wesfarmers.
A full gallery of the event is available here.