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As Australian of the Year, there is no worthier winner than fighter Dylan Alcott

Dylan Alcott: My ‘purpose’ is to help more people ‘be proud about their disability’

The Australia Day Council are to be applauded for selecting Dylan Alcott as the 2022 Australian of the Year. It is hard to think of a more worthy winner. Apart from his prowess as an inclusive sporting champion, his advocacy for disability issues has already been life changing for many Australians. His contribution will now only grow even greater.

Let’s throw in what a wonderful positive human being Alcott is, despite the challenges life has thrown his way. The way he carries himself will ensure he’s able to use his platform this year to increase awareness about the causes that matter most to him, bringing the nation with him. Causes that deserve greater attention and action.

Make no mistake, Alcott will be loud and proud speaking out to demand better disability outcomes. He won’t be afraid to hold the government to account for failures in need of fixing.

Dylan Alcott's emotional Australian of the Year acceptance speech (ABC News Australia)

Most Australians would know Alcott for the sporting champion that he is, but he has also been a tireless worker for charity throughout what has been a glittering sporting career. He’s fought hard for better disability services, improved awareness about the support Australians with a disability need, but importantly also framing his advocacy around the need for the rest of Australia to treat anyone with a disability as fierce and capable contributors. To describe him as an inspiration would be an understatement.

We know that, for example, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (as a worthy as it is) needs improvement. Who better to shine a light on exactly how that can happen and in what ways than someone like Alcott. This is a debate he’s already positively contributed to over a number of years. But there is so much more to be done and he’ll help achieve those improvements I have no doubt.

2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott greets 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame at the 2022 Awards on Tyesday night. PictureBrook Mitchell/Getty Images
2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott greets 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame at the 2022 Awards on Tyesday night. PictureBrook Mitchell/Getty Images

It is hard to believe that in more than 60 years there has never been an Australian of the Year selected who has a disability. The time it has taken to change that is a sure sign that the cause deserves greater attention. But Alcott winning this award isn’t the time to reflect negatively on that oversight. The chance to improve things is now.

Despite the challenges administering the NDIS has had in recent years, since it was conceived and implemented it has helped raise the profile of what can and must be done to break down barriers. It has helped ensure more fiscal muscle is behind disability support services. Alcott has also flagged the need for greater disability representation across fields in this country, showing his awareness for the important mix of practical and symbolic achievements. It is a passion he’ll no doubt focus on further this year.

And with Alcott soon to retire from tennis (hopefully with one last Australian Open under his belt, but he’s achieved more than enough in his sporting career even if that doesn’t happen), he’ll have more time than he otherwise might to throw himself into the job of being Australian of the Year.

Peter van Onselen is the Political Editor at Network 10 and a professor of politics and public policy at the University of Western Australia and Griffith University.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/as-australian-of-the-year-there-is-no-worthier-winner-than-fighter-dylan-alcott/news-story/db6b97897f0c5963304d6ca48037eccd