Samuel Johnson named 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year

GOLD Logie winner and cancer crusader Samuel Johnson says his “super proud” sister Connie will be “smiling somewhere right now” after he was named the 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year.

GOLD Logie winner and cancer crusader Samuel Johnson OAM has been named the 2018 Victorian Australian of the Year just weeks after the death of his beloved sister.

During an emotional ceremony at Government House, Johnson was recognised for his tireless efforts promoting awareness of the disease which killed his sister Connie, and raising more than $7 million for vital research.

death of his beloved sister Connie

SAMUEL JOHNSON REMEMBERS THE WOMAN WHO WILL ALWAYS INSPIRE HIM

SAMUEL JOHNSON’S EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO SISTER IN FINAL DAYS OF CANCER BATTLE

Samuel Johnson with his Victorian Australian of the Year Award. Picture: Jay Town

Johnson received a standing ovation and fought back tears as he accepted the award.

“Words don’t even describe this ... it doesn’t make sense” Johnson told the Herald Sun.

“I found the whole thing very inspirational, it is incredible.”

Johnson said he was “beside himself” with nerves ahead of the announcement but was comforted by the knowledge Connie was “smiling somewhere right now”.

“She’d be super proud,” Johnson said.

Samuel Johnson with sister Connie in February. Supplied: Love Your Sister/Facebook

In true showman style, Johnson arrived at Government House dressed in black jeans with suspenders dangling around his knees and black and silver painted nails.

Well known for his extensive work in Australian television and radio, the 2017 Gold Logie winner has championed cancer research alongside his sister up until her death in September this year.

Samuel Johnson takes a selfie of the press before the Victorian Australian of the Year ceremony. Picture: Jay Town

Connie died aged 40 after a long fought battle with breast cancer — just one day after receiving one of the country’s highest honours, the Medal of the Order of Australia.

The siblings, born just a year apart, founded the Love Your Sister charity in 2012 and in 2013 the actor rode a unicycle across Australia to fundraise and “kick cancer to the kerb”.

Johnson raised over $1 million and broke the world record for distance travelled on a unicycle in the process.

Last year Johnson vowed to quit acting until he had raised $10 million for cancer research and he reiterated that pledge during his acceptance speech.

“I have no immediate plans to return to acting,” Johnson said.

But the actors said he had big plans for his future fundraising work and was grateful for the platform the award has given him to keep campaigning.

Fellow nominee, actor and marriage equality campaigner, Magda Szubanski said she was “gobsmacked” to be nominated for the honour but was certain Johnson would take home the title.

“It’s great to be in this sort of company of people who are trying to make the world a better place,” she said.

Samuel Johnson and Magda Szubanski before the ceremony Picture: Jay Town

Johnson said there were no losers among the group of nominees, which also included animal advocate Lyn White and cancer crusader Karen Livingstone.

Johnson proceeds last year’s winner Paris Aristotle, a refuge and anti-torture advocate.

The Victorian award winners will join a cohort of 32 State and Territory recipients from around Australia in the national awards to be held on January 25.

Other winners on the night included Professor Paul Zimmet AO who was named Victorian Senior Australian of the Year for his work in the field of diabetes.

Local Hero went to engineer and prosthetic limb innovator Mat Bowtell, and the Victorian Young Australian was awarded to 17-year-old transgender youth advocate, Georgie Stone.