Opinion Australian of the Year..

[Land of the Giants]

Not footy related, but I woke up this morning to news that "body image activist" Taryn Brumfitt has been named the 2023 Australian of the Year.

Apart from not knowing what a body image activist does, or having heard of Ms. Brumfitt, am I the only one who thinks Australian of the Year has become associated with fashionable causes?

And no, I don't vote for Pauline Hanson.

 

[Giant Strides]

I have no objection to Taryn Brumfitt nor the message she represents. But I agree that it seems to be "pick a worthy cause' at times.

Body image, disability in sports, sexual assault, prevention of blindness, Thai cave divers, quantum physics, spinal cord injuries, diversity/inclusion, domestic violence, indigenous advocacy being the last decade.

I'll admit though, I'd prefer the worthy causes to the list of sporting stars that were previously in vogue, although a couple on that list above don't quite hit the mark for me.

To be honest, I probably prefer those who've put in a fair length of time and expertise (Fiona Wood, Ian Frazer, Dr James Muecke) but (a) that betrays my personal biases and (b) I accept that we shouldn't exclusively focus on one sector.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Not footy related, but I woke up this morning to news that "body image activist" Taryn Brumfitt has been named the 2023 Australian of the Year.

Apart from not knowing what a body image activist does, or having heard of Ms. Brumfitt, am I the only one who thinks Australian of the Year has become associated with fashionable causes?

And no, I don't vote for Pauline Hanson.

Looking at the lists below - I wouldn’t have thought so, unless you think saving kids trapped in caves or biomedical research into spinal injuries or quantum physics or eye surgery are ”fashionable causes”

of the so-called “fashionable” causes I wouldn’t have thought that domestic violence or sexual assault or disability services were particularly fashionable - and advocating on behalf of survivors is something I actually think is worthy.

the one on that list that sticks out to me is Ita F****ing Buttrose - as in what the F did she ever do, other than sit in an office and oversea the production of a magazine that contributed in large part to create the problems this year’s recipient it trying to combat?


also, I think you’ll find that community service workers who are engaged in so-called “fashionable causes” is still outnumbered nearly 2 to 1 by sportspeople - so, you know…..

 

[Land of the Giants]

Looking at the lists below - I wouldn’t have thought so, unless you think saving kids trapped in caves or biomedical research into spinal injuries or quantum physics or eye surgery are ”fashionable causes”

of the so-called “fashionable” causes I wouldn’t have thought that domestic violence or sexual assault were particularly fashionable - and advocating on behalf of survivors is something I actually think is worthy.

the one on that list that sticks out to me is Ita F****ing Buttrose - as in what the F did she ever do, other than sit in an office and oversea the production of a magazine that contributed in large part to create the problems this year’s recipient it trying to combat?

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also, I think you’ll find that community service workers who are engaged in so-called “fashionable causes” is still outnumbered nearly 2 to 1 by sportspeople - so, you know…..

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We all have our opinions.

 

[BarryAglett]

I've never heard of her, either.
I'm sure she's lovely and many people see value in her message, but her award doesn't make me swell with national pride...or even a "good onya".

 

[Land of the Giants]

"My Australian of the Year would be a doctor or nurse working nights in intensive care or the ED, dealing with COVID and daily death. Real, compassionate work. For very little money. NOT someone who makes a buck out of saying it’s ok to be a bit fat."

The opinion of broadcaster and author Mike Carlton. I agree with him.

 

[cleanhands]

This name was mentioned on our board
Neale Daniher

 

[Giant Strides]

Plenty of good options who could be selected, unfortunately, there can only be one chosen (although plenty of others can get lesser awards). Everyone has a view, they're not necessarily right or wrong.

 

[Giant Gutsache]

"My Australian of the Year would be a doctor or nurse working nights in intensive care or the ED, dealing with COVID and daily death. Real, compassionate work. For very little money. NOT someone who makes a buck out of saying it’s ok to be a bit fat."

The opinion of broadcaster and author Mike Carlton. I agree with him.

Carlton didn’t seem to mind that Dylan Alcott had spent little time helping the sick and dying when declaring him a Great Choice for AOY a year ago.
There are often dissenting views about the recipients of these awards and Carlton is entitled to his opinion. Helps demonstrate what an attention seeking knob he has become.

 

[Colonial]

Hmmm well done to her and she has done a lot.
But I do think there are worthier recipients. Especially in Health.

 

[gee whiz giant]

the one on that list that sticks out to me is Ita F****ing Buttrose - as in what the F did she ever do, other than sit in an office and oversea the production of a magazine that contributed in large part to create the problems this year’s recipient it trying to combat?

Nice turn of phrase!