Darwin cardiologist Dr Bo Remenyi named NT Australian of the Year
DARWIN paediatric cardiologist Dr Bo Reményi has been named the 2018 Northern Territory Australian of the Year
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DARWIN paediatric cardiologist Dr Bo Reményi has been named the 2018 Northern Territory Australian of the Year.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner presented the award to Dr Reményi at a ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre last night.
Dr Reményi was one of Australia’s first female paediatric cardiologists and is now an internationally recognised expert in the field, with a focus on tackling rheumatic heart disease in the Territory.
In accepting the honour, she said she would use the profile of the award to advocate for prevention of the disease.
“If it was anywhere else in Australia, we would have a solution already, and essentially the only reason why we have rheumatic heart disease in Australia is because it is a disease of social disadvantage, so until either we solve the problem with social disadvantage or alternatively come up with a vaccine, I’ll still be employed,” she said.
“Most of all (I’ll be) working on prevention of rheumatic heart disease, addressing the socio-economic determinants of the problem and perhaps advocating for a vaccine, so my year next year will be focusing on prevention and not on cardiac surgery.”
The night’s other awards went to East Arnhem Land educator and pioneering academic Kathy Guthadjaka, who was named NT Senior Australian of the Year; refugee and migration lawyer Kevin Kadirgamar, who took home NT Young Australian of the Year; and NT Local Hero, Elcho Island indigenous youth leader Bettina Danganbarr.
Mr Gunner praised all the recipients as embodying Territorians’ selfless nature.
“Often, it’s those who put others before themselves that don’t get the recognition they deserve ... which is why I am so pleased to be able to acknowledge all the nominees and recipients for the contributions they make to the Territory,” he said.
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