It’s almost hard to believe that we are in 2021. As Aussies down South (where I am) are coming through a heatwave, those in the North of our world are playing in the snow. We are all trying to do the best we can to both contain COVID and to keep connected.
The We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB is all about connecting us with good news. For the first month of 2021 our co-hosts are:
Sylvia Grath, Shilpa Garg, Mary J. Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen and yours truly.
Living through the fires of Summer 2019-20 and across COVID into 2021 is itself good news. But this week we celebrated Australians of the Year. ‘Australia Day’ itself is being debated. Which is also good news for free speech as people search for the reasons of who we are and what we stand for.
In the midst of that I present recipients of Australians of the Year under four categories. These are people who shine a light for the way of humanity.
Senior Australian of the Year:
“Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, an Aboriginal elder from the Nauiyu community in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, is an artist, activist, writer and public speaker. “
Young Australian of The Year:
“At the age of 18, Isobel Marshall, from Adelaide, and her school friend Eloise Hall set up a social enterprise to end the stigma around menstruation and improve access to female hygiene products.”
Australian Local hero:
“Kenyan-born Rosemary Kariuki, from Oran Park southwest of Sydney, fled family abuse and violence in her home country in 1999. She became a multicultural community liaison officer with Parramatta Police in 2005, helping migrants fleeing domestic violence.”
Australian of the Year:
“Grace Tame was 15 years old when she was first groomed and raped by her 58-year-old maths teacher, who was later found guilty and jailed for his crimes. But while her abuser was able to speak publicly about the case, Ms Tame was gagged by an archaic law in Tasmania that prevents victims of sexual abuse from identifying themselves. With the help of the #LetHerSpeak campaign, Ms Tame applied to the Supreme Court for the right to publicly self-identify – and won.”
Source and for the full story: An Aboriginal activist and an advocate for migrant women are among the 2021 Australians of the Year (sbs.com.au).
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Thanks Simon – so good to read about these four recommended ladies for inclusion in the Australians of the Year award … each has such an important role in their cause. Thank you for posting these for #WATWB – I hope we can all have an easier year in 2021 – stay safe – Hilary
Thank you Hilary. They each received an award in a different category. I find them fascinating and inspiring.
Such beautiful women and activists Simon, who talk the talk and do not allow things to be swept under the carpet. Deserving of their Australia of the Year awards. A great #WATWB post and very inspirational. Australia has had one helluva year, may 2021 bring peace and calm, rain when its needed, sunshine when needed.
my earlier comment – walk the talk – not talk the talk ..
Thank you , Susan. So thoughtful of you, as ever. We have moved from the El nino to La ninja weather cycle and so had a wetter spring and summer this time. Albeit tempered by the effects of climate change as well.
Aren’t these woman just fabulous. The insidious nature of grooming invaded so many sectors, including my own Church. It is wonderful to see a brave young woman speaking out and educating us of its long lasting harm.
It’s sad that people who suffer also have to fight for the rights to share their story, but it’s amazing when they do fight and even better when they win.
And are we glad they fought, Dan? You bet. The courage of some of these younger women is instructive to us. Thanks for your ever faithful visits and comments.
Simon, thanks for sharing the good news of these wonderful women for WATWB – all true inspirations. In regard to Grace Tame, it is both amazing and frustrating when archaic laws remain far past their time for dissolution. I’m glad that Grace was able to make a significant change
Absolutely, Mary. Although Grace lives across the sea in our island state of Tasmania, I’ll wager she is getting lots of invitations to come to the mainland. Meanwhile, I’m sure people will try and engage with her over Zoom (or similar) to have her share her story and insights.
Wow, those are powerful stories and the women are fantastic, strong role models. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m as delighted to share as I am that you enjoyed them. Thanks for joining us on WATWB!
Each of these people is a shining example of doing what they believe is best for their community at large. Thank you for sharing their stories and being a part of #WATWB
My pleasure, Ashlynn. Thanks for spreading our posts far and wide the way you do. It’s another example of the passion of women to to speak up for truth and healing. Just like you do for the veterans seeking healing.
You’ve made my day, that much brighter, Simon!
Thank you for this insight into Australia. I loved reading about the Australians of the Year and the diverse reasons they have been honoured as such. Thanks for co hosting the blog hop.
I was very happy to share these stories Kalpana and glad that you enjoyed them. It’s been an enriching journey to share stories and meet people on WATWB. It is good to have you with us too!
What a great contribution those four awardees have made to our country and its people.
Thanks Norah. Like yourself, they are good woman trying to be true to themselves and what they see as their mission in life. I’m glad we can call them Australians.
Thank you for your kind words of support, Simon. We all do our best. As do you.
Yes, there are many Australians of whom we can be proud.
Four remarkable women that many outside of Australia may not have heard about.
Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB
Have a wonderful week!
They are indeed remarkable, Belinda. I’m glad, thanks to WATWB, that they are being remarked about all over the world. What a good idea two people called Belinda and Damyanti had in WATWB! I’m privileged to have been invited aboard. 🙂