I like Geoffrey Rush...as an actor which is what he is. What on Earth qualifies him to be Australian of the Year ? Isn't there someone who has come up with some medical breakthrough or done amazing work with the homeless or some other really worthy candidate ? Why more often than not is it an actor or singer or bloody sportsman/woman ?

There was a few years ago, but she was English

I know John Farnham had to have his citizenship rushed through when they made him AOTY, John Farnham for gods sake. I don't get it.

I've heard from a few people now, one who has worked with him, that he is quite the arrogant cnut

be careful!


she was Scottish

I think it's ard to say what makes an AOTY. As a cycle race I could quite easily see why it should be Cadel Evans (I'm not a fan), but that's a personal thing and people in the arts put in just as amuch dedication to their vocation as sports people. But you could just as easily argue why it should be someone from a science, medical or charitable background.

Some years the AOTY has been so overtly political that it made no sense (except for vote catching pollies), other years the selection has gone by with me barely noticing.

It's a bit like Homer never getting employee of the month at the nuclear plant, sometimes it just seems like it's somebody's 'turn'.

I thought there was a bloke a year or so ago that was a Scot that won it ?

Unless Yorkshire is in Scotland now, she's English.

If you are talking about Dr Fiona Wood, she is English. Born in Yorkshire. She is an amazing woman who I met at a leadership event a few years ago. An absolute inspiration.

Well they do talk funny up that way so easy mistake to make

Yes I am talking about her. She sounds like she has a Scottish accent though

...actually it's not her I am thinking of. I just looked her up on Youtube and it's not the one I am thinking of

That, I think is Dr Ian Fraser, who came up with the cervical cancer vaccine. He is Scottish and won the AOTY award a while back.

There is a theme here.

I wonder if Dr Dre or Dr Fox will win one next

I didn't know about him. I've heard of Dr Nick

I guess the overriding point is now that these folks are all 'Australian' (so in theory I can win it as well, not sure what for though, services to ongoing cycle crashing injury research maybe? )

I thought it was quite astounding that Geoffrey Rush should win this award over the likes of the Morecombes.

Bruce and Denise seem to eat, sleep and breathe their mission to improve safety for chilcren. Geoffrey Rush works to carve himself a successful career.

If this is someone's idea of a popular choice, they're rather out of touch IMO.