“We’re All Part of the Story” – Australia Day Stories
The Australian of the Year Awards will take place at 7.30pm, Monday 25 January 2021, on ABC TV and iview.
Here are the incredible stories of the four NSW nominees…
COVID-19 Restrictions
Restrictions will remain in place for New South Wales until after Australia Day, January 26.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said restrictions are likely to ease in the State if case numbers remain low but that announcement will come “towards the end of next week”.
“We don’t want Australia Day to become a super-spreading event,” she said.
For the latest COVID-19 information and rules, visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
Share on Twitter
A broad field of candidates are in the running for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards.
Thirty-three Australians have been listed as finalists across four award categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.
National Australia Day Council chief executive Karlie Brand said following a year of bushfires and the coronavirus pandemic, the finalists showcased the extraordinary ways Australians responded amid times of crises. The past year has been particularly challenging and many of the finalists have shown incredible leadership or stepped up to help in extraordinary ways, she said.
Watch: Shane Fitzsimmons is speaking live sbs.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sbs.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Shane Fitzsimmons said in an Australia Day awards address for NSW recipients that he had in recent months heard the national anthem sung in a local Aboriginal language.
The former commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, Shane Fitzsimmons, has delivered his Australia Day address, reflecting on the nation's Black Summer bushfires, as well as the resilience shown by so many in the face of adversity.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons, who now heads Resilience NSW, presented the address on Monday, speaking about the devastating bushfires and the Australian spirit.
"Like so many others, it's changed me forever - particularly the damage, the losses, the loss of life," he said.
"Reminding me of the fragility of life, reminding us all of the fragility of life".
Commissioner Fitzsimmons was also recently named NSW Australian of the year - for his dedication and service.