All hail our wonder women
Trailblazers dominate awards
A YOUNG woman who advocated for survivors of sexual assault to be legally able to tell their stories has been named Australian of the Year for 2021.
Tasmanian Grace Tame, 26, was last night named winner of the prestigious award following her high-profile battle to overturn gag laws that stopped victims raising public awareness of the impacts of sexual violence.
Ms Tame was groomed and raped by her 58-year-old maths teacher, who was found guilty and jailed, however she was legally prevented from speaking publicly about her experience.
She applied to the Supreme Court for the right to publicly self-identify as a rape survivor and won. Since then Ms Tame has became a regular guest speaker and advocate for victims of assault.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Ms Tame as an “inspiration”.
“A woman of immense moral courage and strength, leading the #letherspeak campaign … and giving voice to survivors of sexual assault,” he said.
The Northern Territory’s MiriamRose Ungunmerr-Baumann, 73 was named Senior Australian of the Year for her work as an Indigenous activist, writer and public speaker. She was the Territory’s first fully-qualified Indigenous teacher in 1975, and was later an advisor on the National Indigenous Council.
The Young Australian of the Year was awarded to 22-year-old entrepreneur Isobel Marshall who four years ago co-founded TABOO with her friend Eloise Hall. The company was created to help women around the world by breaking down the stigma around menstruation and providing greater access to hygiene products.
NSW Police multicultural community liaison officer Rosemary Kariuki was named Australia’s Local Hero for her work helping migrants dealing with domestic violence, language barriers and financial distress.
Ms Kariuki fled to Australia from Kenya in 1999 and has since used her own early experience to assist new migrants who arrive in Australia.
National Australia Day Council chair Danielle Roche said the 2021 winners were “strong, determined women” who were dedicated to “breaking down barriers and advocating for people’s rights”.
“Grace, Miriam-Rose, Isobel and Rosemary are all committed to changing attitudes in our society and changing lives,” she said.
“They epitomise the Australian values of respect, tolerance, equality of opportunity and compassion.”
Ms Tame was selected from an impressive group of finalists including former NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, nominated for his leadership during the horrific 2019/20 summer bushfires.
Former chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy was named a finalist for his work on Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia’s first quadriplegic medical graduate, Dr Dinesh Palipana; the first Indigenous person appointed to the AFL executive, Tanya Hosch; Aboriginal health expert Dr Wendy Page; and founder of the national Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg were also short-listed.