Susan Alberti crowned Melburnian of the Year, vows to continue diabetes research fight

SUSAN Alberti, fundraiser and footy devotee, will use her year as top Melburnian to continue fighting for a cure to Type 1 diabetes.

Susan Alberti is 2017 Melburnian of the Year. Picture: David Caird

BUSINESSWOMAN, fundraiser and footy devotee Susan Alberti has been named 2017 Melburnian of the Year.

Ms Alberti AC was honoured for her lifelong work to help find a cure for diabetes, a condition that claimed her daughter Danielle 16 years ago.

“I’m so determined and I will continue to help find a cure,’’ she said.

“We don’t know what form that cure will be. Will it be technology or a transplant or something else and it could come from other research into other diseases such as cancer.’’

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Ms Alberti had raised millions of dollars for diabetes research but had also given generations of young diabetes sufferers hope that a cure may be found.

“Her commitment to her community and greater Melbourne has made her an inspiration and her legacy will be felt for many decades to come,” Mr Doyle said.

Susan Alberti. Picture: Christian Gilles

Susan Alberti is also a champion of the women’s football movement.

Ms Alberti, 70, became a diabetes research campaigner to honour the memory of daughter Danielle who died of diabetes-related complications at 32.

She said the award was a great honour and would inspire her to continue her work. About 140,000 Australians have Type 1 diabetes.

“I intend to use the next 12 months as Melburnian of the Year as a platform to raise awareness and support for type 1 diabetes, including our wonderful, world-class research community located in Melbourne who are working hard towards a cure,” she said.

Ms Alberti founded the “Walk for the Cure” around Albert Park Lake, now an annual event that has raised more than $40 million.

Her advocacy and tireless fundraising work in the field also earned Ms Alberti a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2016.

The Western Bulldogs life member has also been a champion of the women’s football movement and the VWFL Premier Division Cup is named after her.

She also wanted to push for more women and girls to become footy umpires.

“Not everyone can play AFL and without umpires we don’t have a game.’’

The award winners were named tonight at Town Hall.

Other winners were:

Contribution to Environmental Sustainability:

Corporation: Richard Thomas, Wormlovers Pty Ltd

Community organisation: The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV)

Contribution to Community

Corporation: Pauline Gandel Children’s Galley at Melbourne Museum

Community organisation: Ilbijerri Theatre Company

Contribution to Profile

Corporation: The Mulberry Group

Community organisation: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Contribution to Multiculturalism

Corporation: Bastille Day French Festival

Community organisation: Behind the Wire, Immigration Museum

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@IanRoyall