Photo: Daniella Jukic, RiotACT
The Australian National University (ANU) has delivered its second consecutive Senior Australian of the Year to the nation with paediatrician and member of its Medical School, Sue Packer chosen for the award for 2019.
Dr Packer (pictured) follows last year’s Senior Australian of the Year, the ANU’s Graham Farquhar who won the award for his work on plant biophysics and photosynthesis.
Dr Packer, who has worked to prevent child abuse with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, said it was her dream for Australia to one day be recognised as the best place in the world to be a child.
“By the current measures our Australian children are not doing as well as they could — middle of the pack, certainly not leaders,” Dr Packer said.
“If we want to improve, we adults are the ones who need to change.”
She said there should be no more belated apologies.
“We need to notice children, curious about their lives. Be it our own children, children in the neighbourhood or the children on Nauru,” Dr Packer said.
“If our situation in Australia is to improve, then all of us must first learn to truly value all children irrespective of their circumstances as full members of our society who are learning from all of us.”
She said that as a small but wealthy nation with a reputation for punching above its weight, children should surely be Australia’s first priority.
Other members of the ANU community recognised in the Australia Day Honours included Professor Frank Bongiorno of the ANU School of History, and seismologist Emeritus Professor Brian Kennett of the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.
