Former army chief David Morrison named Australian of the Year 2016 for his work promoting gender equality
"If that does not suit you, then get out."
With those words, former army chief David Morrison, AO, issued a stinging warning to the Australian Defence Force after dozens of members were embroiled in an explicit email scandal.
Mr Morrison has been named Australian of the Year 2016 by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra tonight, in recognition of his commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
In June 2013, then Lieutenant-General Morrison appeared in a now famous video vowing to be "ruthless" against those who stood in the way of gender equality in Australia's armed services.
"Those who believe it is ok to behave in a manner that exploits or demeans their colleagues have no place in this army," Mr Morrison said in the extraordinary clip, which has since racked up more than 1.6 million views online.
David Morrison. (AAP)
"If that does not suit you, then get out.
"You may find another employer that finds that attitude acceptable, but I doubt it.
"The same goes for those who think that toughness is built on humiliating others."
Mr Morrison left the army after a decorated 36-year career, including four years as its Chief.
Since his video message, the number of female recruits has risen by two percent and Mr Morrison has continued to champion equality as chair of the Diversity Council Australia.
He also appeared at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London in 2014, alongside US Secretary of State John Kerry and actor and activist Angelina Jolie.
The other winners tonight include:
Senior Australian of the Year – Professor Gordian Fulde, NSW
Australia’s longest serving emergency department director, Professor Gordian Fulde serves on the front line in the war against alcohol and drug-fuelled violence.
The Director of Emergency at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital for more than three decades, Prof Fulde, 67, trains and teaches students and staff in emergency medicine.
Prof. Fulde also serves on the board of the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, which strives to create a safer community and foster a more responsible drinking culture, and actively supports schools and community organisations.
Even when not on the job, Prof. Gulde still makes a difference: he came to the aid of a hit and run victim in Bondi last October, treating the woman at the scene just moments after catching a movie with his wife.
Young Australian of the Year – Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett
Best mates and social entrepreneurs Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, both 21, started Orange Sky Laundry in 2014, a mobile washing service to help the homeless.
The start-up has rapidly expanded to include five vans, all custom fitted with commercial washing machines and dryers, which service more than 36 locations and wash more than 350 loads each week.
In February 2015, the pair took their mobile laundry to North Queensland to wash clothes in cyclone-affected communities.
This is the first time the Young Australian of the Year has been jointly awarded to two people.
Australia's Local Hero – Dr Catherine Keenan
As the co-founder and executive director of the Sydney Story Factory, Dr Catherine Keenan has helped thousands of primary and high school students express themselves through writing and storytelling.
A former journalist and writer herself, Dr Keenan's work is strongly focused on helping people from Indigenous and non-English speaking backgrounds.
Dr Keenan has raised funds, established partnerships and trained more than 1,200 volunteers who work with students one-on-one or in small groups to teach them writing skills.
The Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, congratulated the award recipients, who were selected from nominations received from the public.
"It's not an easy decision that I and the Board of the National Australia Day Council have to make about who stands here as the 2016 Australians of the Year, as the national finalists are all worthy recipients," Mr Roberts-Smith said.
"David, Gordian, Nic and Luke, and Catherine are Australians who truly inspire us and make us proud - they are people who step up, speak out and take action to make a difference in our nation and to help others."
Read more at
http://www.9news.com.au/national/20...f-the-year-david-morrison#j8kJ9mwJEH0QWrV8.99
