Dr James Muecke named Australian of the Year for 2020

Adelaide eye surgeon Dr James Muecke has been honoured for his work in helping to prevent blindness and diabetes.

Dr James Muecke with his 2020 Australian of the Year Award. Picture: AAP

A room full of great Australians have been celebrated in the nation’s capital as South Australian Dr James Muecke was named the 2020 Australian of the Year.

“What a tremendous honour to be named Australian of the Year in 2020 – such an auspicious year for eyesight,” Dr Muecke quipped.

It was the 60th anniversary of the awards, which acknowledge the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians in four categories each year.

Queensland tennis star Ash Barty was named Young Australian of the Year, Western Australian Professor John Newnham the Senior Australian of the Year, while New South Wales youth advocate Bernie Shakeshaft was awarded the Local Hero of the Year award.

But the highest accolade was saved for Dr Muecke – the founder of Sight for All – a social impact organisation aiming to improve eye health for everyone around the world.

“I’m passionate about fighting blindness, and we do have a fight – right here in Australia. Diabetes is now the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults, and the fastest-growing cause of blindness in Aboriginal people. In 2020, I’m taking the fight to diabetes,” Dr Muecke said.

Australia Day Honours

VIEW GALLERY

Dr Muecke creates low-cost programs to fight blindness through research, education and infrastructure, including the comprehensive training of colleagues in Sight For All’s partner countries in Africa and across Asia.

“This year, I want to challenge our perception of sugar…and the impact that it has on the development of diabetes. I want to encourage hard-hitting strategies to build greater awareness of the detrimental role sugar plays in our society,” Dr Muecke said.

Since 1960, the Australian of the Year Awards have provided an insight into our evolving national identity. The recipients have been leaders in science, sports, the arts, and many other worthy causes.

Local Hero award winner, Bernie Shakeshaft, was recognised for improving the lives of others in his community.

Mr Shakeshaft is the founder of Backtrack Youth Works – a gritty, community-based organisation working with vulnerable kids in Armidale, New South Wales.

“When you see these kids, they’re a bit like pups. When you see ‘em grow up and get through the stumbly stage, where you hold them, comfort them, cry with them, and you dream with them – when you see them come out the other side, it restores my faith in humanity. Makes me want to get out of bed, pull my boots on, and go to work again each day,” Mr Shakeshaft said.

“Our youth are our nation’s most valuable asset…as a nation, they’re our future. 1 in 4 are suffering from mental health. 28,000 kids tonight in Australia are homeless. 1 in 5 kids under the age of 17 are in no form of education, training or employment.

“To our Aussie kids doin’ it tough – hang on, don’t give up, help’s on the way,” Mr Shakeshaft said.

The Young Australian of the Year award is awarded for dynamic leadership and hard earned success.

Ash Barty – the current world number one – received the award from 2002 Australian of the Year Patrick Rafter, and encouraged young Australians to “follow your dreams, work hard, and remember to enjoy yourself along the way.”

West Australian John Newnham was recognised as the Senior Australian of the Year for his dedication to the prevention of preterm birth – helping make WA an international hot spot for research into life before birth.

“Pre-term birth is the single greatest cause of death in young children and a major cause of lifelong disability. 8% of Australians are born pre-term. And in Indigenous Australians, that rate is almost double. Many of these children will go on to live a normal life, but many others will be left with cerebral palsy, developmental delay, or behavioural and learning difficulties at school age,” Mr Newnham said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was on hand to present the awards – only days after the passing of his father John – and said this year’s nominees “embody a good and generous and courageous group of people”.

“You’ve explored new ideas, broken new ground, inspired, let, and you’ve lived out the best of Australia’s values,” Mr Morrison said.

Sir Norman Martin set up the Australian of the Year Awards in 1960.